Dr. Bob Dawson believes and teaches that doing "church as usual" will never reach the lost community or the lost world. He has developed a "blended ministry" approach for churches which allows them to maintain traditions for those who need them while ministering in non-traditional ways to the lost community. He puts these convictions into practice each week as co-pastor of Good Shepherd Chapel, a mission of Immanuel Baptist Church, and with Mission Shawnee Inc.

Dawson served as a Missionary Journeyman in Israel almost 40 years ago, and has been involved in international missions ever since. He recently coordinated a three-year partnership between his church and the Rosario Baptist Association in Argentina, a project that resulted in the creation of more than 20 new congregations.

Dawson served several churches in Texas and Oklahoma as a minister of education prior to coming to OBU in 1985. He is currently developing new academic programs in cross-cultural ministry, including the first full program in Orality Studies (Chronological Bible Storying) to be offered in any of the Baptist schools. Dawson is co-founder of the Avery T. Willis Center for Global Outreach, and directs the Don R. Kammerdiener Center for Missiological Research. In additon, he developed and taught some of the first online courses for the Joe L. Ingram School of Christian Service.

Bob and Alyce Dawson had been married more than 37 years when she lost her battle to cancer in July of 2007.  Their son, Jeremy, is a recording artist and composer signed to Universal/Motown Records, and is co-founder of Shiny Toy Guns. Their daughter, Alissa, lives in Oklahoma City and is pursuing a writing career.