Christian Ministry

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.

In the Christian 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.

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.

At OBU, students who pursue a degree in Christian ministry also pursue an area of minor emphasis in any academic area of study. As a result, you receive an academically rigorous and spiritually enriching education.

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.

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.

Master of Divinity Accelerated Program

As an undergraduate, you can earn your bachelor’s degree while progressing towards an MDiv through our Bachelor of Arts to Master of Divinity (BA to MDiv) accelerated program. We enjoy partnerships with all six Baptist seminaries and select others to provide advanced tracks where you can earn up to 25% of your MDiv degree while enrolled at OBU. This is a convenient benefit, propelling you forward while saving you time and resources.

Integrated MA

As an undergraduate student in any career major at OBU, you can begin work on a Master of Arts in Christian Studies or Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies through our integrated MA program. This format allows you to complete your chosen academic major while also completing a degree in one of these graduate-level programs.

Graduates of Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry continue their God-given calling in many areas of influence. Those positions may be at a local church, on the mission field, continuing to seminary or in a related avenue of ministry integrated in the marketplace.

Upon graduation, positions of ministry and employment include:

• Crossings Community Church, Oklahoma City
• Hands On- International Mission Board
• Henderson Hills Baptist Church, Edmond
• Immanuel Baptist Church, Shawnee
• Frontline Church
• Southern Hills Baptist Church, Oklahoma City
• Reformed Forum

Seminary and Graduate Schools include:

• Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
• Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
• New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
• Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
• The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
• Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary
• Western Theological Seminary
• Westminster Theological Seminary
• Truett Seminary