On October 1, more than 300 seminary students, faculty, local church members and campus guests left the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary campus to serve their city. It was the fall 2026 Serve Day, and MissionLab had a hand in where every one of those volunteers went.
MissionLab partnered with the NOBTS Office of Spiritual Formation and Student Life to plan the ministry sites for the day. Drawing on the relationships MissionLab builds with churches and ministry partners across New Orleans all year long, the team lined up 24 ministry sites, including several new partners serving with Serve Day for the first time.
Afternoon classes were cancelled so the whole seminary family could take part.
Starting With the Word
The day began in Leavell Chapel with a message from Matt James, senior vice president for business administration and assistant professor of historical theology at NOBTS. James preached from John 13, where Jesus washes His disciples' feet.
"Jesus modeled his love for the disciples through service. Christ's love for you is inseparable from His service toward you. And your love of Christ will be demonstrated in your service to Him and those around you."
Out Into the City
After chapel, teams headed out to their assigned sites. Some prayer walked and shared the gospel in neighborhoods across the city. Others served alongside local churches and community centers, and others tackled clean-up projects and worked in community gardens.
These are the same kinds of ministry opportunities MissionLab plans for visiting groups every spring and summer, and many of the partners who welcome our teams opened their doors to Serve Day volunteers too.
Coming Back Together
Later that afternoon, volunteers gathered in the Luter Student Center to share highlights from their sites in small groups.
Thomas Strong, vice president of spiritual formation and student life, thanked everyone who went out.
"I'm thankful for your hearts and for going out to serve today. Every time that we go out it is a reminder that we really are servants and servanthood is who we are as a seminary."
NOBTS President Jamie Dew closed the day with a challenge that reached well beyond one afternoon.
"We have to be intentional to put feet to faith and actually serve, and not make an excuse or rationalize getting out of it. It is not just about what you believe, but it is also what you intentionally choose to go and do. Remember that this is just one day and one moment, but we are called to a life of service. My challenge to you is to live in obedience to Christ every single day."
Serve New Orleans With Your Group
MissionLab is a ministry of NOBTS, and helping the seminary family serve its own city is a joy for our team. If your church, school or ministry wants to experience the same kind of gospel-centered service, MissionLab hosts groups of all ages on the NOBTS campus. See our program dates or explore our ministry sites to start planning your trip.