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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

Witness to Win/Mathena Family Establish Professorship of Evangelism at OBU

February 27, 2025

A new professorship of evangelism at OBU, created through the generosity of the Witness to Win Foundation and the commitment of the Mathena family, aims to empower students with a sustainable, gospel-centered approach to ministry. This new initiative, made possible by a $1.5 million grant from Witness to Win, is a strategic response to the declining trends in evangelism and represents OBU’s dedication to building the next generation of soul-winners.

The grant establishes the Witness to Win Professorship of Evangelism, a critical advancement within the university’s Shape the Future campaign that seeks to bolster academic investment.

“The gospel of Jesus Christ lies at the heart of Christian mission,” said OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas. “This professorship in evangelism is a pillar of our academic mission, allowing us to equip students to bring the hope of the gospel to communities locally and globally. Through this partnership, we will ensure that OBU’s impact extends into countless lives and churches as we shape students for lifelong ministry.”

The new professorship will be housed in the Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry, where it will serve as a transformative center for evangelistic training. It will offer students opportunities to engage in practical evangelism coursework, mentorship and community outreach initiatives that prepare them for real-world ministry. From door-to-door outreach to event evangelism and partnership with local organizations, the program aims to build both knowledge and applied experience.

The creation of this professorship comes at a critical time, as many evangelical churches are experiencing a steady decline in baptism rates and congregational growth. By addressing these challenges head-on, the Witness to Win Professorship aims to re-ignite an evangelistic fervor within OBU students that they will carry into their future ministries.

“Witness to Win exists to ensure that as many people as possible hear and respond to the message of Jesus Christ,” Thomas said. “We are honored that the Mathena family has chosen to support OBU in raising up leaders committed to living and sharing their faith.”

Founded in 2017 by the Mathena family, the Witness to Win Foundation was born out of a multi-generational commitment to furthering the gospel. Inspired by biblical teachings, including Matthew 28:19-20 and James 1:22, the Mathena family has consistently supported ministries focused on spreading the message of Jesus Christ. Over the past decade, the Mathena family has contributed more than $100 million to evangelistic efforts, including support for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Samaritan’s Purse, the International Mission Board and Southern Baptist seminaries.

John Mathena, president of the Witness to Win Foundation, said, “The Mathena family is thrilled to support Oklahoma Baptist University as it continues to lead the way in preparing students for gospel-centered ministry. OBU’s commitment to equipping the next generation of leaders perfectly aligns with Witness to Win’s mission of sharing the message of Jesus Christ. We are excited about the direction OBU is headed and believe this professorship will be instrumental in advancing evangelism in churches and communities across the nation.”

The new Witness to Win Professorship represents a partnership rooted in faith, mission and a shared vision for ministry. OBU will now have a dedicated professorship for evangelism, a historic first for the university and an innovative step in building an evangelism-centered curriculum. This professorship will directly impact the approximately 150 students currently enrolled in the Hobbs School, many of whom will pursue full-time ministry.

The professorship will also benefit Oklahoma Baptist and Southern Baptist Convention church communities by providing OBU graduates well-prepared to engage in soul-winning and ministry leadership. Graduates will be trained to lead and serve in local congregations and extend OBU’s evangelistic mission by sharing their faith and inspiring others.

For OBU, the Witness to Win Professorship marks an important milestone in its Shape the Future campaign. This initiative will provide long-lasting benefits by preparing the next generation of ministers to champion evangelism in a changing religious landscape. By investing in OBU’s academic mission, the university and the Witness to Win Foundation are shaping a legacy that prioritizes evangelistic faithfulness.