Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry

The Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry was inaugurated at Oklahoma Baptist University as the Joe L. Ingram School of Christian Service in 1981. The Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry was introduced in 2011 to oversee the Joe L. Ingram School of Christian Studies, Avery T. Willis Center for Global Outreach, Don Kammerdeiner Center for Missiological Research, and the departments of Christian and Cross-Cultural Ministry, Biblical and Theological Studies, and Philosophy. The mission of the Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry is to inspire and equip students for Christ-centered, transformational, practical leadership and ministry. We shape leaders with knowledge and skills necessary to transform the world for Christ and his Kingdom. We do this through our Bachelors degrees offered in our departments of Biblical and Theological Studies, Christian and Cross-Cultural Ministry, and Philosophy. Minors are also offered in all of these fields of study for any student and any of OBU’s schools. The school contributes to the studies of all OBU students by teaching Old and New Testament studies, Christian Ethics, and by teaching many of the other academic majors with Philosophy.

For students wishing to transfer credits in Old and New Testaments from another institution, equivalent Old Testament and New Testament courses from CCCU universities are transferable for BIBL 1013 and BIBL 1023 . Other equivalencies are considered at the discretion of the Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry.

In an effort to make personnel and services of the institution available to meet appropriate educational needs of our Baptist constituency, the School of Theology and Ministry also provides college education for ministers and other church leaders through the Joe L. Ingram School of Christian Studies (formerly Ministry Training Institute). Courses leading to an A.A, B.A., or a Diploma in Christian Studies are offered online. The curriculum is prepared by the College of Theology and Ministry faculty and taught by qualified contract faculty under the direction of the Dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies and the Dean of Theology, Art and Humanities. Courses taken for the Diploma can apply to the Associate of Arts in Christian Studies (AACS) or the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies (BACS).

The faculty of the Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry has attained the highest level of academic preparation in their respective fields of study. All full-time faculty members are continually involved in programs of additional training and development. They are committed Christian teachers whose scholarship is recognized in their many years of experience in teaching, pastoring, church-related ministries and missions. The faculty is actively involved in local churches and denominational ministries as interim and supply preachers, Bible and doctrinal study leaders, conference leaders, and speakers on missions, evangelism, preaching authors, and a variety of other related topics. Some have been chosen to write for Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. The Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry faculty members are well-qualified to advise and counsel students in areas related to their education, ministry opportunities, and personal development.

Students preparing for Christian vocational service, academic vocations of teaching and research, or students who are preparing to continue their education can find an appropriate major in the Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry. A seminary education is strongly encouraged by the faculty, but for those who do not plan to attend seminary there are majors which will give a well-rounded preparation for ministry. In addition to traditional classroom instruction, the Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry provides programs of field education for academic credit utilizing internships in local churches, youth camps, missions, or other institutional or cross-cultural settings. Ample opportunities are available for on-the-job experience, summer missions, part-time church positions, and other educational ministry experiences designed to prepare students for meaningful and effective Christian ministry.

Dean, Theology, Art, and Humanities

Matthew Y. Emerson
Floyd K. Clark Chair of Christian Leadership
Professor of Religion
Co-Provost
B.S., Auburn University, 2005
M.Div., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2006
M.Div., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2008
Ph.D., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2011
Joined the OBU faculty in 2015.

Chair, Theology and Ministry

Brandon Smith
Chair, School of Theology and Ministry
Associate Professor of Theology and Early Christianity
Dickinson Chair of Religion
Director of MA Program
B.A., Dallas Baptist University, 2012
M.A., Criswell College, 2015
Ph.D., Ridley College (Melbourne), 2020
Joined OBU faculty in 2023.

Faculty

Rafael Bello
Ida Elizabeth and J.W. Hollums Chair of Bible
Assistant Professor in Religious Education
B.A., UDF Centro Universitario in Brazil, 2011
M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2014
Ph.D., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2019
Joined the OBU faculty in 2022.

David Nanchang Gambo
Reverand A.E. and Dora Johnson Hughes Chair of Christian Ministry
Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry
B.S., University of Jos, Nigeria, 2007
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2012
Ph.D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2017
Joined the OBU faculty in 2018.

Keith Hess
Jewell and Joe Huitt Associate Professor in Religious Education
Associate Professor of Philosophy and Apologetics
B.A., The Master’s University, 2005
M.A., Talbot School of Theology, 2008
Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara, 2017
Joined the OBU faculty in 2023.

Bobby Kelly
Ruth Dickinson Chair of Religion, Professor of Bible
B.A., Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, 1988
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1992
Ph.D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1998
Joined the OBU faculty in 1997.

Mario Melendez
Augie Henry Chair of Old Testament
Assistant Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Studies
B.A., Leavell College, 2010
M.C.S., Union University, 2012
Th.M., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2017
Ph.D., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2019
Joined the OBU faculty in 2020.

Randy Ridenour
Associate Professor of Philosophy
B.A., University of Oklahoma, 1991
M.A., University of Oklahoma, 1993
Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, 2000
Joined the OBU faculty in 2000.

Paul Sanchez
Assistant Professor of Religion
Assistant Director of Honors
B.A., Evangel University, 2009
M.A., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2012
Th.M., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2014
Th.M., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2020
Ph.D., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2020
Joined the OBU faculty in 2022.

E. Elbert Smith
Associate Professor of Missions
Director of Tom Elliff Center for Missions
B.A., Oklahoma Baptist University, 1980
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1985
D.Min., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1990
Ph.D., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2013
Joined the OBU faculty in 2023.

Joy Turner
Associate Professor of Missions
B.A., Oklahoma Baptist University, 1987
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1992
D.Min., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2002
Joined the OBU faculty in 2023.

Degree Programs

The following degree programs are offered by the College of Theology and Ministry:

Programs

Associate of Arts

Christian Studies, AA

Bachelor of Arts

Diploma

Christian Studies Diploma

Master of Arts

Minor