Spiritual Life Articles and Features

President Thomas Delivers Annual Convocation Address Aug. 30

OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas delivered the annual Convocation address Aug. 30 during chapel. The service took place in the Recreation and Wellness Center on the OBU campus in Shawnee. Dr. Joy Turner, associate professor of missions, led…

FOCUS Week Scheduled for Feb. 20-23 at OBU

OBU is hosting its annual FOCUS Week February 20-23. This year’s FOCUS Week is organized in conjunction with Life Action Ministries and will include five main sessions emphasizing spiritual growth and discipleship. Dr. Matthew Kearns,…

OBU Commissions Students and Employees for Global Service During Chapel April 27

OBU held a special chapel service April 27 to commission almost 100 students and employees who will serve this summer on Global Outreach trips (GO trips), in internships or at camps. The commissioning service took place inside Raley…

Julie Busler to Speak During Women’s Missions and Ministry Day Chapel March 9

Julie Busler, Oklahoma president of Women’s Missionary Union (WMU), will speak during OBU’s Women’s Missions and Ministry Day chapel Wednesday, March 9. The service will take place at 10 a.m. in Raley…

Rhone to Speak at Next Courage and Connection Event Nov. 12

OBU’s First Lady Jill Thomas will welcome guest speaker LaShai Rhone for the next Courage and Connection event Friday, Nov. 12, at 10 a.m. The event will take place in the backyard of the Cargill Advancement and Alumni Center. All…

University Hosts Pastors Conference Oct. 21-22 During ‘The Weekend’

OBU hosted a Pastors Conference Oct. 21-22 on its campus in Shawnee. Around 55 pastors, church staff and members of the OBU community attended the free event. The conference kicked off activities for “The Weekend,”…

Busler Shares Powerful Mental Health Story with Students at Courage and Connection Oct. 1

OBU’s First Lady Jill Thomas and guest speaker Julie Busler hosted a special Courage and Connection event Oct. 1 in the Cargill Advancement and Alumni Center on the University’s campus in Shawnee. All female students were…

Kearns Joins OBU Staff as Director of Student Ministry

Dr. Matthew Kearns recently joined the OBU staff as director of student ministry. He assumed the role effective Aug. 12. Kearns earned a Bachelor of Science in mass communication/ public relations from Southeast Missouri State University. He…

University Holds Annual ‘Holy Week Chapel’ March 31

Oklahoma Baptist University held its annual Holy Week Chapel Wednesday, March 31, in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. Students and faculty presented musical selections, scripture readings and more, as a worshipful observance of Holy…

Dr. Jeremy Evans to Speak at OBU Jan. 11-12

Dr. Jeremy Evans, senior pastor of Woodridge Baptist Church in Kingwood, Texas, will deliver the Christian worldview plenary lectures at OBU Jan. 11-12. The lectures are part of the Christian worldview course, held each January. Evans will…

OBU to Host 'Bison Community Christmas' Food and Supply Drive Dec. 10

The OBU campus community is hosting a special drive-thru event Thursday, Dec. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. on the Oval on the university’s campus in Shawnee. The “Bison Community Christmas” is seeking donations and support…

OBU Debate Team Finishes Second in First Ever Virtual Debate Tournament

The OBU debate Team won second place in their first ever virtual debate tournament. The event was hosted by Lee College in Houston, Texas, Sept. 19 and 20, but held online only due to concerns over COVID-19. The annual “Mendoza…

Register Today for OBU ‘Generation Why?’ Student Apologetics Conference March 7

OBU is hosting a student apologetics conference Saturday, March 7, 2020, on its main campus in Shawnee. The conference is titled “Generation ‘Why?’ – Reasonable Faith in a Post-Christian Age.”…

OBU Alumnus and Former Harvard Professor Dr. Russell “Rusty” Jones to Speak at Philosophy Forum Nov. 15

Dr. Russell “Rusty” Jones, 2004 OBU graduate, is returning to Bison Hill to speak at the next Philosophy Forum Friday, Nov. 15. The Forum will take place in the Tulsa Royalties Auditorium in the Bailey Business Center on…

Rhone Delivers Chapel Message on Habakkuk Sept. 18

Tony Rhone, pastor of Galilee Baptist Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma, delivered the chapel message at OBU Wednesday, Sept. 18. The service was held in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium on OBU’s campus in…

Ben and Sherry Booz Share Message with Students During GO Week Chapel

Husband and wife team Ben and Sherry Booz spoke during OBU chapel services Wednesday, Sept. 11. Their message was part of GO Week and took place in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. GO Week (Global Outreach) is an annual week…

Taylor Inspires New Students During President's Vision Aug. 18

Dr. Pat Taylor, OBU’s interim president, inspired new students for the year ahead during the traditional President’s Vision address Sunday, Aug. 18. Students gathered on the lawn east of the Geiger Center Sunday evening at 7…

ERLC Panels Discuss Current Topics with OBU Faculty at SBC 19

OBU hosted two panels to discuss current topics with representatives from the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Tuesday, June 12, during the South Baptist Convention’s 2019 annual meeting in Birmingham, Alabama. The discussions…

University Holds Annual Summer Commissioning Chapel May 1

On Wednesday, May 1, OBU recognized all of the students, faculty and staff who will be serving this summer on Global Outreach Trips, in internships or at camps. The commissioning chapel service took place inside Raley Chapel’s Potter…

Fred “Chip” Luter III Delivers April 24 Chapel Message

Fred “Chip” Luter III, campus pastor at Idlewild Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, Florida, delivered the OBU chapel message Wednesday, April 24. Based on John 21, Luter’s message centered on a theme of…