Servant Leadership in Ministry: Alumnus Chip Luter Named Senior Pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church

Faithfully serving God and His people through various roles in ministry, Dallas Baptist University alumnus '06 Fred (Chip) Luter III is named Senior Pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church (FABC). Continuing the legacy of previous pastors, including Chip's own father, Fred Luter Jr., of serving Christ through ministry, Chip lives out DBU's mission of Christ-centered servant leadership in his family and pastoral ministry.

Raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, as a pastor's kid, Chip accepted Christ into his life at a young age and would later deepen his relationship with the Lord as he realized that just because he was a pastor's kid did not mean he was saved. He had to know Christ for himself. As his faith matured, Chip felt God calling him towards a future in ministry as he began teaching a Sunday School class.

Though Chip was initially uncertain about which area of ministry God was calling him to, after being asked to lead a student reflection at school, Chip realized the Lord was leading him to pastoral ministry.

Taking a step toward his calling, Chip was drawn to Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), believing this was where the Lord wanted him to pursue his education.

While Chip was set on attending DTS, he faced a setback as he learned that the seminary only offered master's-level courses. After voicing this concern in a conversation with E.K. Bailey at a church conference, Chip heard the letters "DBU" for the first time. Later, Chip would be further encouraged to consider the University at a DBU booth run by the late Dennis Linam, former Vice President for External Affairs, at a Southern Baptist Convention held in New Orleans.

Having officially become a DBU Patriot, Chip quickly involved himself in various aspects of DBU's Campus Life. Chip served as a student worker in the Office of the Provost under the direction of Dr. Gail Linam, former University Provost, where he served at the Russell Perry and Tom Landry Award Dinners, as a Resident Assistant, and at DBU's Dr Pepper Soda Shoppe, now called The Daily Bread Bistro. He was also involved in the Black Student Union (BSU), where he was invited to preach at a BSU Chapel service, awarded first-runner up for Mr. Big Chief (now known as Mr. Patriot), and named Homecoming King.

During his time at DBU, Chip's mentorships with people like Dr. Gail Linam, Dennis Linam, and Dr. Gary Cook, former President and current Chancellor of DBU, made a meaningful impact on his life. In each mentorship, he saw firsthand what servant leadership and "DBU is Home" really looked like, with Dr. Cook giving wise counsel on Chip's sermons and presentations, and Dr. Gail and Dennis Linam becoming his "DBU Parents." Inspired by these mentors and DBU's mission, Chip aimed to serve others in each place the Lord brought him, whether it was in his church community or his own family.

After earning his bachelor's degree in psychology and Christian studies in December 2006, Chip would be invited back by Dr. Cook to do the Commencement Address for DBU's Commencement Ceremony.

Beginning his service in ministry just days after walking the graduation stage, Chip became the Senior High Youth Pastor at Concord Church in Dallas. Two years later, Chip's father reached out about re-establishing the youth and young adult community at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church years after Hurricane Katrina had devastated the region, resulting in Chip returning to New Orleans as the Youth and Young Adult Pastor.

After a call from Idlewild Church at the Springs in Florida, Chip moved to take on the role of Campus Pastor, growing the church's inner-city reach in the Sulphur Springs neighborhood of Tampa. Chip served in Florida for six years before he felt the Lord calling him back to New Orleans as his dad talked about retirement. Back in New Orleans, Chip served as the Senior Associate Pastor in preparation for the Senior Pastor role when the time came.

Through each role, the influence of servant leadership has remained with Chip. "I do everything I can to serve our people well because Jesus called us to serve," he says.

In November 2025, Chip was affirmed as the Senior Pastor of FABC and will transition into this role in November 2026, following his dad's retirement. Chip has recently obtained his Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS), and plans to begin his doctoral studies in the future.

While Chip holds milestones like working alongside his dad, becoming a senior pastor for the first time, and being one of the only non-senior pastors to preach at the Southern Baptist Convention's annual Pastors' Conference as meaningful achievements, he would say his greatest accomplishments in life are having married his wife, Jasmine, and having three children, Fred (Drew) Luter IV, Zoe Grace, and Gabrielle (Gabby) Sierra.

In each season of his life, Chip has constantly been reminded of servant leadership. "Wherever God's had me planted, I've gone there to serve," Chip says. "I'm not going there to be seen. I'm not going there to climb a ladder. I just want to serve." As he adds Senior Pastor to his current role of husband and father, Chip aims to continue serving as Christ has called him to do.