Dilbeck to Bring OBU Winter Commencement Address Dec. 12

Oklahoma Baptist University alumnus and newly elected president of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, Dr. Hance Dilbeck, will present OBU's Winter Commencement address during the 2 p.m. graduation ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, in Raley Chapel's Potter Auditorium.

The Winter Commencement will feature a graduation ceremony for OBU's undergraduate students and graduate students from OBU's College of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Dilbeck has served as the Senior Pastor of Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City since April 2003. Since then, the church has tripled in size, led the Southern Baptist Convention nationally in Cooperative Program giving, and has played an active part in 16 church planting efforts and a church revitalization.

Dilbeck has been a pastor in Oklahoma churches for 25 years. He served in Marshall County at Little City Baptist Church while in seminary. He was also privileged to shepherd the flock of God at the First Baptist Churches of Snyder, Noble and Ponca City.

In addition to the pastorate, Dilbeck has served in many other areas of denominational work. He has been the featured preacher for Falls Creek youth camp, chairman of the board of trustees at OBU, chairman of the board of trustees at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and an adjunct professor of preaching at OBU and Southwestern.

Dilbeck was born in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, and graduated from Pawhuska High School. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in Religion degree from OBU in 1987, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1992 and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southwestern in 2002.

"I thank the Lord for my education," Dilbeck said. "He allowed me to study at Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. With each passing year, I value my education more."

Dilbeck and his wife, Julie, have three grown sons, D. H., who is an assistant professor of history at OBU and is married to Mackenzie; Dax; and Leighton, as well as one granddaughter, Pearl.