Choate’s Varied Contributions Recognized With Alumni Honor

July 7, 2008

Kent Choate took a long path to get back home. The 1982 OBU graduate has served as a youth minister, pastoral care minister, full-time counselor, college educator, seminar presenter, trainer, and family ministry specialist. In May 2006, he returned to his native Sand Springs as pastor of his home church, Broadway Baptist. 

This spring, Choate was honored with the 2008 OBU School of Christian Service Outstanding Alumnus Award. The plaque he received lists Choate's work as an "exemplary pastor, administrator, teacher and role model."

"Kent has had various forms of ministry in his career and we see him as a good role model for our students," said Dr. Warren McWilliams, interim dean of the Joe L. Ingram School of Christian Service. "It is also significant that he is now pastor of his home church."

Choate completed a master's degree in marriage and family counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. degree in family studies from Texas Woman's University. While completing those degrees, we served in ministry roles in Texas, including work with Cornerstone Counseling Center in suburban Fort Worth, and as a youth minister at churches in North Richland Hills, Abilene and Cleburne, Texas.

Returning to Oklahoma in the late 1990s, Choate served as family ministry specialist with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. He developed the BGCO's Think Family Initiative, and also served as president of the Oklahoma Council on Family Relations.

Choate and his wife, the former Carmen Cunningham, '82, have three sons: Kendall, Kyle and Kevin.