OBU Students, Faculty to Cover Six Continents This Summer

May 5, 2000

Oklahoma Baptist University students and faculty will work in six continents, as they travel to 30 countries, and 25 states this summer for ministry and service opportunities, announced Odus Compton, OBU director of religious activities, May 3.

More than 230 members of the OBU community were commissioned to serve in areas throughout the world during OBU's Summer Service Corps Recognition Chapel program Wednesday morning.

The students, faculty and staff will serve in a variety of roles in North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia.

Thirteen OBU students and two faculty members will teach English at a university in northwest China. This marks OBU's 14th year of participation in the international program.

Many of the students serving in North America will work as counselors at Christian summer youth camps and as church interns.

"God is going to both keep you and give you," Compton said. "He will keep you near to him and support you, just as Jesus promised. But he will give you as a covenant that others might come to know him."

Speaking from Isaiah 49, Compton referred to the chapter as a declaration that the Messiah has purpose.

"For many of you," Compton told students, "God is setting you to his bow to release you."

The service also featured an audiovisual presentation listing the names of students and the places they will serve this summer.

"If we, as peers, aren't lifting them up, it's as if we abandoned them on the front lines," Compton said as he encouraged others in attendance to pray for those participating in summer service programs.