Learning, Service and Ministry Beyond Bison Hill

Summer at Oklahoma Baptist University is anything but quiet. While many students step away from campus for the season, OBU’s mission continues through camps, conferences, educational experiences and ministry opportunities that reach communities across Oklahoma, the United States and around the world.

Throughout the summer, OBU students, faculty and staff invested in the lives of children, educators, churches, alumni and communities across the United States and around the world.

Athletic Camps Build Skills and Faith

OBU hosted approximately 25 athletic camps this summer, welcoming young athletes to campus for instruction that emphasized both athletic development and Christian character.

“OBU camps give kids the opportunity to live in our amazing culture on campus,” said Anna Howle, OBU assistant athletics director and head women’s volleyball coach. “Every aspect of our camps impacts kids in a Christ-centered way and makes them feel like part of our community and want to keep coming back.”

The camps offered a more personal experience than many youth sports camps by integrating faith into each program while allowing participants to interact closely with OBU coaches and student-athletes.

The university’s summer athletic programs also extended overseas.

From June 20-29, the OBU men’s basketball team traveled to Croatia with Athletes in Action. The group included 12 players, two coaches and one manager. The team partnered with Baptist Church of Mackovec, where players participated in worship services, held a joint basketball practice, played three games and connected with members of the local community.

Players also signed shoes and T-shirts for children, and one freshman athlete shared his testimony during a church service.

One of the most meaningful aspects of the trip came during daily team meetings when players discussed Scripture and reflected on what they called the “H’s” — sharing about their “heritage, heartache, hero and hope.” The conversations strengthened relationships within the team while encouraging spiritual growth.

“These opportunities foster team growth, personal development and a cultural awareness,” said Tanner Morris, associate athletics director for external operations. “Traveling internationally exposes student-athletes to different cultures, languages, traditions and socioeconomic realities. This is the type of transformative experience that OBU is all about.”

Conference Equips Educators for the Classroom

OBU continued to provide events for educators during the summer months.

The McCabe Family School of Education hosted its third annual Crash Course Conference: Start Strong, Teach Stronger, welcoming 100 educators from public and private schools across Oklahoma as well as Texas, Missouri, Kansas and California.

Ten presenters with extensive classroom and administrative experience led sessions covering the science of reading, special education, trauma-informed practices, STEM education and other topics designed to help teachers prepare for a new school year.

Conference attendees ranged from novice teachers entering their first year of teaching to veteran classroom teachers with decades of experience. The conference was offered at no cost to participants through support from an Oklahoma Teacher Connect grant from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Participant feedback highlighted appreciation for the conference’s practical instruction, Christ-centered encouragement and the support provided to educators.

“Great teaching starts with strong preparation,” said Dr. Annie Keehn, chair of the McCabe Family School of Education. “This conference was designed to equip new and experienced educators with practical strategies, fresh ideas and tools for the new school year. We hope teachers leave feeling encouraged and reminded of the importance of their day-to-day calling. God uses teachers in mighty ways to shape the next generation, and our prayer is that this time together helps to empower teachers to start the school year with renewed passion that lasts all year long.”

Students Unearth History in Montana

Paleo Prospectors guide, Brandi Nicklas and Oklahoma Baptist University sophomore music major, Emma Berrier, display a fossil Triceratops dentary (mandible) recovered during the Digging Dinosaurs in the Hell Creek Formation class held this summer in eastern Montana. The fossil was wrapped in a plaster jacket for protection during transport back to the biology lab at OBU.

OBU students also continued learning beyond the classroom through hands-on field experiences.

Dr. Dale Utt, associate professor of biology, again led the university’s “Digging Dinosaurs in the Hell Creek Formation” course. Following online instruction in June, participants traveled to eastern Montana July 5-10 to excavate fossils alongside professional paleontologists.

This year’s class recovered portions of a disarticulated Triceratops skull, including a dentary, or lower jawbone and part of the right squamosal, a section of the animal’s frill. Students also uncovered additional Triceratops fossils while gaining firsthand experience in paleontology field methods.

Honors in England

Dr. Ben Myers, Crouch-Mathis Professor of Literature, professor of literature and English and director of the OBU Honors Program, and Dr. Keith Hess, Jewell and Joe Huitt Associate Professor in Religious Education, associate professor of philosophy and apologetics, traveled to Oxford, England, with 15 honors students on a study abroad trip. The students participated in an Honors Colloquium on C.S. Lewis, which Myers and Hess taught as a team. The students visited Lewis-related sites, such as The Kilns, Holy Trinity Church and Oxford University, as well as many historical sites in Oxford, London and Bath.

Alumni Gather During Southern Baptist Convention

Oklahoma Baptist University connected with alumni, prospective students, families, pastors, ministry leaders and other Southern Baptists during the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. Throughout the convention, university representatives welcomed visitors at the OBU exhibit, sharing updates about the university and building relationships with current and future Bison. Approximately 450 alumni, prospective students, families and friends also gathered for OBU's annual event at SeaWorld Orlando.

OBU connected with alumni, prospective students, families, pastors, ministry leaders and other Southern Baptists during the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. Throughout the convention, university representatives welcomed visitors at the OBU exhibit, sharing updates about the university and building relationships with current and future Bison. Approximately 450 alumni, prospective students, families and friends also gathered for OBU's annual event at SeaWorld Orlando. Guests enjoyed fellowship and a special after-hours, behind-the-scenes tour of the park's beluga whale exhibit while connecting with university leaders and learning about the continued momentum on Bison Hill.

Global Outreach Extends OBU’s Mission Worldwide

This summer, OBU’s Avery T. Willis Center for Global Mobilization sent 74 students and employees on 13 Global Outreach trips to serve alongside ministry partners around the world. Teams traveled to Ecuador, France, Germany and Switzerland, Greece, Senegal, South Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asian Islands and North Africa. Two teams remain in the field and will continue ministry into August.

Throughout the summer, participants worked with vulnerable women, refugees, orphans, youth, foster children, adults, university students and individuals with special needs. They also served among Muslim, Buddhist and Coptic communities while partnering with believers already serving in those locations.

OBU teams conducted nine Vacation Bible School programs, two medical clinics that included physical therapy assessments, three camps, multiple sports events, seven refugee programs, one leadership initiative, five youth events and three school programs. In addition, they distributed coats, served meals, assembled wheelchairs, prepared food, facilitated training activities, distributed Bibles, organized prayer meetings and prayer-walked major cities and rural communities. Team members also worshipped and served alongside fellow believers from around the world, engaged in numerous gospel conversations, witnessed several professions of faith and prayed with many individuals.

Dr. Melissa Stroud said the Willis Center carefully selects Global Outreach locations each year to ensure students have meaningful opportunities to serve while strengthening long-term ministry partnerships.

“Every year, the Willis Center seeks to provide Global Outreach locations to our students with strong host partners, an array of service and ministry options, and a genuine opportunity to meet the needs of those serving long-term in these locations,” Stroud said. “Returning to locales from prior trips continues to strengthen our international partnerships, while providing new locations stretches our reach among all nations. It is our desire to be a light wherever we go.”

Stroud said the experiences help students grow spiritually while gaining a broader understanding of the world and the global church.

“GO Trips provide a vital way for students to engage with a diverse world while also growing personally in their walk with the Lord,” she said. “We believe that engaging globally gives each individual a broader perspective on the global church, as well as a profound understanding of humanity’s lostness, both inside and outside the United States. Each trip also provides tangible ways to serve and fulfill Christ’s injunction to serve the most vulnerable.”

Nursing Camp Inspires Future Health Care Professionals

Oklahoma Baptist University welcomed high school students to campus for its School of Nursing Camp, giving 34 campers a way to explore the nursing profession through hands-on learning and campus life. During the camp, students experienced the immersive classroom and virtual reality simulation, learned basic CPR, participated in an SSM hospital tour, heard from the REACT ambulance service, competed in relay races on the Oval, enjoyed a campus scavenger hunt and worked together to solve an escape room challenge in the simulation lab.

Before the start of the fall semester, OBU welcomed high school students to campus for its Nursing Camp, giving 34 campers a way to explore the nursing profession through hands-on learning and campus life. The camp was supported by eight nursing faculty and staff members, four additional OBU faculty and staff, five OBU nursing students and one additional volunteer.

Campers rotated through a variety of basic nursing skills stations where they learned patient assessment, how to take vital signs, proper handwashing techniques and the correct use of personal protective equipment. The experience also included an evening at the Recreation and Wellness Center, where students participated in recreational activities and spent time in the esports area.

During the camp, students experienced the immersive classroom and virtual reality simulation, learned basic CPR, participated in an SSM hospital tour, heard from the REACT ambulance service, competed in relay races on the Oval, enjoyed a campus scavenger hunt, and worked together to solve a simulation lab escape room challenge.

Beyond learning technical skills, the camp encouraged teamwork and problem-solving. Dr. Cassie McIntosh, associate professor of nursing, recalled watching students work together during a game of lawn Tetris.

“I saw the students working together and cheering each other on in lawn Tetris,” McIntosh said. “It got to the point that the teams were actually trying to help each other. In doing so, they beat the game and successfully stacked all the pieces. I loved how they considered each other’s skills in the challenges and worked together

Several campers left with an even stronger interest in pursuing nursing. One family shared that the experience helped confirm their daughter’s desire to work in health care as a nurse. The student told camp leaders she wanted to learn even more about what was being taught, adding that the material was more engaging than many of the subjects she studies in school.

Another camper arrived, unsure of what to expect from a college-based camp, but quickly changed her mind.

“I thought it would be boring, but wow was I wrong,” she said. “Nursing is fun.”

The camp was created to give prospective students an authentic introduction to both the nursing profession and university life.

“We wanted to provide a hands-on opportunity for prospective students to explore nursing and have a university experience where they could see themselves attending school at OBU,” said Dr. Stephanie Parker, chair of the OBU School of Nursing. “I hope the experience confirms for students whether nursing is their calling.”

Falls Creek Partnership Strengthens Students

Oklahoma Baptist University continued its longstanding partnership with Oklahoma Baptists through eight weeks of ministry at Falls Creek, where students and staff served churches and youth leaders from across the state.

OBU also continued its longstanding partnership with Oklahoma Baptists through eight weeks of ministry at Falls Creek, where students and staff served churches and youth leaders from across the state.

The university’s Falls Creek Servant Team, made up of eight OBU students, invested in churches throughout each week by sharing meals with youth groups, leading devotionals, providing worship in cabins and helping lead OBU Night each Tuesday evening. The team also presented youth pastors with gifts as a way to thank them for their year-round investment in the next generation.

Throughout the summer, OBU students connected with hundreds of campers while serving at Falls Creek. During Tuesday night activities, OBU’s admissions team connected with approximately 60 prospective students each week, answering questions about the university while providing a welcoming environment where campers could interact with current OBU students and staff.

While prospective students visited with the admissions team, the Falls Creek Servant Team hosted games, organized activities and distributed T-shirts on the Plaza, creating opportunities for hundreds of other campers to engage with OBU each week.

Falls Creek continues to be an important ministry partnership for OBU because it provides opportunities to serve churches from across Oklahoma while strengthening relationships with pastors, youth leaders and prospective students. With churches gathering from across the state each week, OBU representatives are able to encourage ministry leaders, pray with them and support their work as they invest in young people.

OBU Night also continues to be one of the university’s most visible opportunities to connect with prospective students. Through games, giveaways, prizes and activities, campers experience the sense of community that has become a hallmark of the university’s presence at Falls Creek. For many campers, it is also their first introduction to OBU and provides an occasion to learn more about the university through personal conversations with university students and staff.

Dr. Matt Kearns, dean of student ministry, leadership and engagement, said the partnership continues to strengthen both organizations’ shared commitment to serving churches and students.

“We love the opportunity to serve alongside the Falls Creek program staff and Dr. Todd Sanders [Falls Creek youth camp program director],” Kearns said. “OBU is so grateful for our partnership with Oklahoma Baptists and all those who are pouring into the next generation of Jesus followers who are a part of this great ministry!”

Super Summer Celebrates 40 Years of Discipleship

OBU also welcomed thousands of students to campus this summer as it again served as host for Super Summer Oklahoma, a discipleship and leadership camp designed to equip student leaders from churches across the state.

Jake Anson, student pastor at First Baptist Church Ardmore and executive director of Super Summer, said the ministry has remained focused on helping students deepen their understanding of Scripture while preparing them to lead in their churches, schools and communities.

“Super Summer has always been a camp focused on discipleship and leadership training,” Anson said. “Our mission is to invest in the student leaders of churches from all across Oklahoma. We want students to leave not only with a deeper understanding of God’s Word, but with the confidence and tools to lead well in their schools, churches and communities.”

Anson said one of the camp’s greatest strengths is helping students realize they are part of a much larger community of believers. Students build friendships with teenagers from across Oklahoma who share similar faith and challenges while encouraging one another to follow Christ faithfully.

This year’s camp also marked the 40th anniversary of Super Summer Oklahoma and welcomed a record 3,099 participants across three weeks, averaging more than 1,000 campers each week.

While the attendance milestone was significant, Anson said the greatest impact came from seeing students spend time studying God’s Word, worshiping together and preparing to return home ready to serve their local churches.

OBU’s campus played a central role in creating that experience.

“OBU makes it possible for us to create an incredibly immersive experience,” Anson said. “We don’t simply use classrooms. We transform an entire college campus into environments that reinforce the lessons we’re teaching.”

Campus buildings became creative learning environments that supported the camp’s biblical teaching while reinforcing spiritual lessons throughout the week.

Anson said the partnership between Super Summer and OBU extends well beyond providing facilities.

“OBU shares our values and our mission,” he said. “They’re not simply providing facilities. They’re partnering with us in ministry.”

He also expressed appreciation for the university employees whose flexibility and support allow Super Summer to transform classrooms, residence halls and other campus spaces into places where students encounter the gospel in meaningful ways.

As students departed campus, Anson said the goal remained the same as it has for four decades: to send young leaders back to their churches prepared to make disciples, serve faithfully and follow Christ wherever God leads them.