Selection of Seminaries
As a student, you can begin planning your education path as early as your freshman year. Each seminary partnership is unique, allowing you to carefully consider which institution best fits your ministry goals. OBU welcomes the biblically-grounded ministry training offered through these participating seminary partnerships.
Field Experiences
As an OBU ministry student, you are presented with ways to develop your skills through internships and field experiences. Ongoing relationships with local pastors and congregations often provide opportunities to preach, lead worship and serve in local and regional church settings. The university’s Center for Global Outreach (GO) offers mission trips during the summer and semester breaks, exposing you to ministry and outreach opportunities both domestically and internationally. These types of practical experiences enable you to grow and gain confidence in God’s calling in your life.
Faculty Mentors
In your ministry program, you will enjoy ongoing and direct interaction with faculty members who instill a solid foundation of faith and biblical perspective through their teaching and personal lives. Because of our small class sizes, your professors get to know you individually and invest in your personal success. Your faculty will become your mentors, encouragers and role models who support your intellectual and spiritual development.
Enriching Events
Guest Lecturers
Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry hosts a series of guest lecturers throughout the year that share the Baptist heritage and inspire you to grow in your knowledge of Baptist theology, Baptist history and studies of the Bible. Philosophy forums are held regularly to foster academic enrichment and enlightenment.
Apologetics Conference
An annual “Generation Why?” student apologetics conference is hosted for middle school, high school and college-age students with speakers and sessions designed to equip those attending to better defend their faith.
Spiritual Life
Our spiritual life staff and student leadership team serves the OBU community through weekly chapel services, Bible studies and events that support spiritual development. As a ministry student who is pursuing this as a calling, you can play an integral role in participating and leading in these activities that promote a campus grounded in biblical truth and genuine faith.
Hobbs College Library Series
Evidence of the high caliber of faculty at OBU, past and present, is the Hobbs College Library Series, an impactful collection of published books that educates readers in the areas of Bible, theology and ministry.
These publications are widely read and distributed through various vendors across the globe. Each book is biblical, orthodox and practical in nature, equipping Christians with tools for growing in faith and effective ministry.
Tom Elliff Center for Missions
As a complement to ministry students or any OBU student interested in gaining more knowledge and training in the role of career missionaries, the Tom Elliff Center for Missions (TECM) is a uniquely positioned program on campus.
The center enhances your education experience by introducing you to key mission leaders on the field through Missions Forums and other related events held regularly on campus. Distinguished faculty, ministry partners, retired missionaries and key leaders are committed to investing in the next generation of missionaries as they seek to fulfill the Great Commission.
Outcomes
At the completion of the BA to MDiv program from OBU, you will have completed up to 27 hours or 25% of your MDiv work from one of our partner seminaries.