Dale Griffin Named Campus Minister; Jackie Wilks To Direct BCM

Dale Griffin, who has served in a variety of student ministry leadership roles, has been named campus minister at Oklahoma Baptist University, announced OBU President Mark A. Brister on Monday.

Dale Griffin

In the newly created position, Griffin will coordinate student ministry efforts with Jackie Wilks, who was appointed director of OBU's Baptist Collegiate Ministry in June. Wilks is an employee of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, with offices in OBU's Montgomery Hall.

Griffin's administrative post was formed following the resignation of Dr. Dick Rader as OBU's vice president for religious life. Rader, who had served in administrative and faculty roles at the University for 23 years resigned in May due to health reasons.

A 1984 OBU graduate, Griffin has spent the majority of his career in student ministry work. He was director of the Baptist Student Union at the University of New Mexico from 1990-97, before moving to Northwest Baptist Church in Oklahoma City as minister of worship. He resigned from the church on July 21.

From 1989-97, Griffin and his wife, Donna, served as worship leaders at student and mission conferences and revivals across the southwest. In addition, he hosted two radio programs, "Lyt Reminders" and "Think About It" from 1993-97 in Albuquerque, N.M.

"OBU is fortunate to have a man of vision, creativity, and experience filling this new position," said Dr. Brister. "Dale Griffin will make a positive difference for Christ's kingdom through his work at the University."

In his role as campus minister, Griffin will direct the University's religious activities, including coordination of OBU's weekly chapel services, Noonday Bible studies, Tuesday evening praise and worship services, and vespers. He also will coordinate weekly discipleship and Bible study groups, work with Christian student organizations on campus, and direct Fall Challenge and Focus Week events. Griffin will coordinate special religious life emphases, as well as ministry and mission programs for OBU students, faculty and staff.

After completing his bachelor's degree in music, Griffin earned a master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Griffin will serve as a member of OBU's executive cabinet, and will supervise the work of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry director.

Wilks moves to the BCM position from North Rock Creek School. She had served as a counselor and Spanish teacher at the school just north of Shawnee for more than 10 years. Active in missions and ministry programs, Wilks has participated in several mission endeavors.

She earned a bachelor's degree from Louisiana College, and a master's degree in teaching from Oklahoma City University. She has completed course work toward a Ph.D. degree in education from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minn. She also has earned counseling certification from the University of Central Oklahoma.

"Our University community will be blessed by the enthusiasm, energy, and experience of Jackie Wilks," said Brister.

OBU offers a variety of spiritual development programs for students. During the 2001-02 academic year, OBU's Baptist Collegiate Ministry offered nearly a dozen community ministry programs, with approximately 160 students participating in the programs. In addition, more than 475 students were involved in weekly discipleship programs, and hundreds of students regularly shared in corporate worship through the BCM's Tuesday evening praise and worship services in the fall and spring.

OBU leads the nation in the number of recent graduates serving in the International Mission Board's Journeyman program. Approximately 30 young alumni are working at mission and service posts around the world through the two-year international service program.

Rated by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top two comprehensive colleges in the western United States, OBU has an enrollment of 1,933 students, with approximately 1,150 students residing on campus. The University's 2002 fall semester begins Aug. 28.