Ross Geyer, ’70, lives his life devoted to Christ and being His servant.
Ross Geyer’s life has been devoted to serving Christ as a minister of the gospel, primarily in bi-vocational churches. For the last 21 years he has served as the pastor and director of Obadiah’s House, a church and ministry that provides a transformation home for men coming out of prison with a myriad of issues Satan has used to try to destroy their lives.
The Journey to OBU
In the heart of Oklahoma, on Bison Hill, a young man embarked on a journey that would shape his destiny and inspire countless lives.
Geyer, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in religion and speech in 1970, found his path at OBU, where he would come to embody the University’s values of faith, education and service.
Geyer’s journey began in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was born and raised. As a child, he contracted Polio during the Polio Pandemic. His home was chaotic, and there were many issues he had to overcome, but he found solace and a spiritual family in a small Baptist church where he learned about Jesus and was saved. It was in that church Geyer was invited to preach. He answered the call of God to the ministry and, from the age of 13, has been preaching the gospel all over the world.
He attended McClain High School in his hometown, setting the stage for his future academic pursuits. It was during these formative years that Geyer’s passion to preach and minister to his community began to take shape.
Geyer initially had plans to attend the University of Oklahoma on an athletic trainer scholarship but faced a sudden change in circumstances. When the head coach at OU changed, Geyer lost his scholarship. Seeing potential in Geyer, his pastor stepped in and encouraged him to attend OBU, even offering to pay for the gasoline if Geyer and his mother would go and visit OBU.
A Scholarship and a Miracle
During that visit, Geyer met Bob Bass, the head coach of OBU’s national championship basketball team. Bass offered Geyer a scholarship to be the athletic trainer for OBU’s sports teams, a role he continued to fulfill despite eventually losing the scholarship.
Upon arriving at OBU, Geyer found himself in a challenging situation, financially and socially. He candidly recalls not having enough money for basic necessities like toilet paper. However, during his time at OBU, his calling to ministry became clear. OBU would prove to be the place where his life was transformed and prepared him for his lifelong calling to be a pastor and preacher of the gospel.
He married during his junior year, and the burden of providing for his family compelled him to work tirelessly. He juggled a heavy course load with employment at the campus cafeteria and a nearby hospital.
“The miracle of God is that when I graduated from OBU, with other scholarships, my college education cost me approximately $17.85,” he said. “I lost the trainer scholarship basically, but God just provided in different ways. My entire life has been learning to be totally dependent on God to provide. God’s provision brings glory to Him. OBU is very special to me. It was a miracle of God.”
This early perseverance and determination would become hallmarks of his character.
Influential Mentors
Two influential figures at OBU left an indelible mark on Geyer, including Dr. Rowena Strickland, OBU professor of biblical studies from 1953-80.
Geyer said, “This is how she began every lecture. She’d say, ‘Gentlemen, let us pray, and as we pray, remember never, never, never worship the Book. Worship the Author and let him illuminate the Book.”
Dr. James S. Timberlake, OBU professor of religion from 1950-88, taught Geyer to examine the Bible critically and encouraged his students to explore various perspectives, even using controversial sources like a magazine article on the “God is dead” debate to stimulate discussion. These professors instilled in Geyer the importance of hearing God under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, as revealed in the Bible.
A Lifelong Dedication to Service
Geyer’s life after OBU has been marked by a commitment to being a servant of Christ and being a pastor. Most of the churches he has pastored were bi-vocational churches. God opened the door for him to serve as both a social worker and as a parole officer in the criminal justice system, working diligently to protect vulnerable children and assist parolees in their reintegration into society.
Twenty years ago, God called Geyer to establish Obadiah’s House Ministries, Inc. in Fort Worth, Texas. Obadiah’s House serves as a beacon of hope for men seeking redemption and transformation, reflecting Geyer’s unwavering dedication to guiding others toward spiritual and personal growth found only in Jesus Christ.
Geyer’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, a testament to his resilience, faith and commitment to serving others. His story serves as a beacon of hope and a shining example of what it means to be a future shaper, touching lives and profoundly impacting the world. Through his compassion, leadership and unwavering faith, Geyer exemplifies the values and ideals cherished by OBU.
“My prayer for OBU in regard to the student body, the Future Shapers, is, ‘do not miss the opportunity to be instruments in the hands of the Holy Spirit,’” Geyer said. “Hang on to them for Christ and launch them into the ministry that you’ve prepared them to do — nurses, doctors, lawyers, whatever they are. Most of all, they are disciples of Jesus Christ.”
In a world searching for meaning and purpose, Geyer has found his calling, and it continues to inspire those around him. His life story is a testament to the power of faith, education and service, reminding all to be instruments in the hands of the Holy Spirit, shaping a brighter future for generations to come.