Kearns Delivers Chapel Message Aug. 24 on First Day of Fall Semester

Dr. Matthew Kearns, director of student ministry, delivered the chapel message Aug. 24 in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. The service took place on the first day of classes for the fall semester.

Kearns shared about how struggles in our lives can prepare us for success.

“Any truly great accomplishment is often preceded by truly great struggle,” Kearns said.

He also shared a piece of advice with the students, one he encouraged them to take and apply to their own lives.

“Never take advice from someone about a difficult matter unless that person first agrees with you that the matter is difficult.”

He shared from Romans 5:1-5 and discussed how suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character and character produces hope.

Kearns joined the OBU staff as director of student ministry in August 2021. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mass communication/public relations from Southeast Missouri State University. He then earned a Master of Divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary before completing a Doctor of Ministry in discipleship, missions and leadership from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Before coming to OBU, he served as transitional and senior pastor at Woodcrest Chapel in Columbia, Missouri. He previously worked for the Missouri Baptist Convention as student evangelism, leadership development and making disciples catalyst. He has prior experience working as a student evangelism associate at the North American Mission Board and also as both an associate pastor and youth pastor. He has been a speaker at Falls Creek, Super Summer, One Team International and chapels at Hannibal LaGrange University and Southwest Baptist University.