Dr. Thomas Strong, Pastor

Email: thomas.strong@metairiebc.org

I am originally from Mount Juliet, Tennessee, just a few miles east of Nashville. After graduating from high school, I attended Union University where I received a BA degree in religion/Greek and sociology. God led me to spend a year in Detroit after graduating from college where I served as a Baptist Student Union director at Wayne State University. After that time, God brought me to New Orleans where I began my studies towards the completion of the Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies and PhD in New Testament/Greek. Many people have impacted my spiritual formation from my Mom and Dad, to my Youth Minister when I was in high school, to the BSU Director at Union, to a Greek professor at Union, to Dr. Jerry Breazeale (my predecessor over the undergraduate program and a man who set an example in life and in teaching for me) – and for all of these I am grateful to God.

God has given me many wonderful gifts in my life, but my greatest gift (besides my salvation of course) is my family. Jana and I have been married over 26 years and spent our entire married life in the New Orleans’ area (except for the Katrina year). We have made this area our home and have fallen in love with the culture of the city and the people who are here. Jana and I met in college and were best friends for several years without realizing that God was laying the foundation for our marriage! We have two wonderful children: Kathryn and Nathan. They are without question the pride of their parents! They have given us much including the joy of watching your children mature into the adults that you pray they become. Both are attached to LSU – one as a graduate and now a grad student, and one beginning the journey at LSU.

Currently, I have two opportunities for ministry. I serve at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as the Dean of Leavell College and Professor of New Testament/Greek where I have been on faculty since 1993. I enjoy both the opportunity for teaching and for providing some direction as an administrator. In 2005 I began to sense that God was about to do a new work in my life as regards ministry – and He did. After serving first as interim, I now have the opportunity to minister as the Senior Pastor at Metairie Baptist. I find preaching to be challenging and rewarding – challenging as I strive to make certain that the sermons reflect the honest truth found in the Scripture and rewarding as one realizes that God has given me such a tremendous and privileged opportunity to minister for Him.

My favorite verse since high school is: “He must increase but I must decrease.” (Jn 3:30) Without question that is my goal. I desire for Christ to be honored in all I do and for him to be magnified in this world.

Pastor's Blog

Matt Knight, Youth Minister

Email: matt.knight@metairiebc.org

I was born and raised in Madison, Alabama, just outside of Huntsville and attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. I love all things Alabama, especially Alabama football. Roll Tide! I grew up playing soccer and have a love for that as well. I am a graduate from the University of Alabama and currently working towards a master's degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. My heart is focused on students and helping them grow in their relationship with God. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing a student finally "get it" and understand the love that Jesus Christ has for them. God is the center of everything we do in the student ministry, as we build our relationship with Him.

Carol Wilken, Substitute Minister of Music

Email: carol.wilken@metairiebc.org

I was raised in St Louis, Missouri, and attended Oklahoma Baptist University where I earned a BBA in Management with a minor in music. I have worked with State Farm Insurance in claims as well as the North American Mission Board as a church planter and the International Mission Board as a strategy coordinator developing strategies to reach people with the gospel. I have also worked for about 9 years as a part-time Minister of Music. My life's passion is serving in missions and in helping others to find and grow in a personal relationship with Christ. I moved to New Orleans in 2001 to pursue a Master of Divinity with a Specialization in Missions from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. After graduation I found and married my wonderful life's partner, Errol, and I inherited an amazing stepson and daughter-in-law and now have two adorable grandchildren! I love spending time with them and reading in my spare time. The name Carol means "song of joy" and it is my desire to be that song in a hurting world and to help others draw closer to God through worship. Jeremiah 33:9 "And it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise and an honor before all the nations of the earth...."

Weekly Schedule