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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University
Dr. Mario Melendez
Dr. Mario Melendez

Dr. Mario Melendez

Auguie Henry Chair of Old Testament
Assistant Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Studies

Biography

Dr. Mario Melendez holds a PhD in biblical interpretation from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS).

Prior to joining OBU, Dr. Mario served both the church and the academy. Dr. Mario most recently served as senior pastor of Gretna Covenant Church in New Orleans (2015-2020). Before pastoring in New Orleans, he served in Hispanic, Asian, and English churches as a multi-ethnic ministry strategist. In the academy Dr. Mario has served at NOBTS as an adjunct [Español]; Memphis Center for Urban Theological Studies as academic affairs specialist; Victory University (Memphis TN) as Old Testament Adjunct and academic counselor; Union University as Contemporary Christianity adjunct and founder/coach of the Union Judo Club.

Dr. Mario’s research interests include Biblical Interpretation, Ancient Near Eastern backgrounds and themes, language acquisition and multi-ethnic psychology and ministry. As a multi-ethnic believer (Filipino, Cajun French, Spanish) Dr. Mario has been a guest lecturer on multi-ethnic ministry topics.

Dr. Mario and his wife, Rebekah, married in 2012. His wife has served as a licensed social worker (LMSW) in Memphis and New Orleans. In his spare time Dr. Mario enjoys practicing Judo, Karate and Jujitsu. He also is an avid maker of furniture and other things.

Education

  • PhD, Biblical Interpretation, Minor - Old Testament, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (2019)
  • Dissertation: “Evocations of Covenant in Habakkuk.”
  • ThM, Biblical Studies, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (2017)
  • M.C.S., Union University (2012)
  • B.A., Christian Ministry, Leavell College (2010)
  • Additional Graduate Studies, Mid-America Theological Seminary

Subjects Taught

  • Old Testament
  • Hebrew
  • Hermeneutics / Biblical Interpretation
  • Biblical Backgrounds

Professional Memberships

  • Evangelical Theological Society (2012–Present)
  • Society of Biblical Literature (2012–Present)

Selected Publications

  • Contextualizing Preaching: Conversations with Diverse Church Leaders. Atlanta: College and Clayton, Forthcoming 2021. (Managing Editor of Series)
  • Regarding Habakkuk. Atlanta: College & Clayton, Forthcoming 2021.
  • Covenant Evocations in Habakkuk: An Exploration of Intertextuality. Wilmore, KY: Glossa House, 2021.
  • Third Culture Faithful: Empowered Ministry for Multi-Ethnic Believers and Congregations. Rowman & Littlefield with Duke Divinity, 2020.
  • “The Davidic Covenant as an Interpretational Key” in Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry, March 2021.
  • “Interpreting Faith in the Reformation” in Themelios Journal, August 2020.

Selected Presentations

  • 2020 A.A.R. Nationals., “Third Culture Faithful” How Paul Helps Us Minister to Mixed Peoples.
  • 2020 E.T.S. Nationals, “Go And Do Likewise” A Minority-Biblical Criticism of Luke 10:25–37
  • 2019 E.T.S. Southwestern Regional, “Holy Spirit in Evangelism: Lukan Pneumatology”
  • 2018 E.T.S. Southwestern Regional, “The Davidic Covenant As An Interpretational Key”
  • 2017 E.T.S. Southwestern Regional, “Biblical Theology of Habakkuk 2:4b, which interpretation is correct?”

Selected Lectures

  • 2019 Demonology​, Union Baptist Theological Seminary New Orleans LA
  • 2016 Multi-Ethnic Discipleship, Evangelical Covenant Church Mid Winter Conference
  • 2016 Multi-Ethnic Preaching​, Evangelical Covenant Church Mid Winter Conference
  • 2014 Multi-Ethnic Ministry Methodology​, Mid-America Baptist Seminary