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History of Youth Ministry Topic of Gaskin Lecture

September 25, 2002

Dr. Briggs, Hallock chair of Baptist student work at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, will present the lectures, "An Oklahoman Looks at His Youth Ministry Heritage" at 10 a.m. in the university's Yarborough Auditorium, and "A Reflective Glance at Falls Creek" at 7 p.m. in Geiger Center room 220. There will be a reception following the lecture.

Dr. Briggs also serves as distinguished professor of collegiate ministry at the seminary, where he has taught since 1971. Briggs returned to SWBTS after teaching six years at Midwestern Theological Seminary.

He has served 13 years as a church staff member in education, music, youth, administration and pastoral ministry in Southern Baptist churches. He also served one year as campus minister of the Baptist Student Union at the University of Missouri.

He has traveled as an inspirational speaker in the United States and in Western Europe, South America, Australia, Asia and Russia. He frequently leads seminars and conferences and serves as a collegiate ministry specialist.

Briggs is co-author of Recreation Xtras: A Prescription for Family Fun with his wife, Jennette, as well as serving as contributing author to The Work of the Youth Minister, The Holy Spirit in the Minister's Life Changes and The Family Worship Bible. He is a regular contributor to Living with Teenagers magazine.

He earned an undergraduate degree from Hardin-Simmons University and master's and Ph.D. degrees from SWBTS. He also has done additional study at Midwestern Theological Seminary, the University of Texas and the University of Missouri.

The Briggses are members of University Baptist Church in Fort Worth. They have three grown children and numerous grandchildren.

The J.M. Gaskin Lectureship was established by friends of Dr. J.M. Gaskin and advocates of the preservation of Oklahoma Baptist history and heritage. The lectureship was designed to promote the study of Oklahoma Baptist history to students at OBU, many of whom will be future leaders of churches in the state. Others interested in Oklahoma Baptist history and heritage are invited to attend these lectures.

Gaskin was Oklahoma Baptists' first historical director.