Focus Week to Concentrate on Building Strong Relationships
February 8, 2011
OBU's annual "Focus Week," dedicated to helping members of the OBU community strengthen relationships, will be Feb. 14-19 with the theme, "Building Strong Relationships through Faith, Hope, Love and Forgiveness." The week will be filled with three chapel services, a screening of the movie "Heaven's Rain," a panel discussion for women and a couples retreat.
Worship and recording artist Joel Engle, pastor of The Exchange church in Keller, Texas, will lead the campus chapel service Monday, Feb. 14, at 10 a.m. in Raley Chapel's Potter Auditorium. The backdrop for Engle's presentation will be on the topic of faith from "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis.
"Joel is a 1990 graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with success as a worship leader, a recording artist and as a pastor," said Dale Griffin, dean of spiritual life. "Joel has an amazing story from which to draw insight and to offer encouragement to others."
OBU will host a screening of the movie "Heaven's Rain" on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. in Raley Chapel. Based on true events, "Heaven's Rain" recounts the story of the Douglass family, whose lives were irrevocably changed one evening 30 years ago. The son, after becoming an Oklahoma State Senator and authoring groundbreaking victims' rights legislation, is forced to move forward from his past.
The evening will include a showing of the movie followed by an open panel discussion with Brooks and Leslie Douglass, the brother and sister whose life story is the basis for the film; Dr. Brian Camp, professor of family science; Dr. Louima Lilite, assistant professor of music; Dr. Scott Pace, Jewell and Joe L. Huitt assistant professor of applied ministry; and Dr. Nicole Warehime, assistant professor of sociology.
Movie tickets for OBU students are free with a student ID, and chapel credit will be offered for the event. Community guest tickets are $5 each at the door. For more information about "Heaven's Rain," click here.
Odus Compton, director of student ministry at OBU, will be the featured speaker for the chapel service Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 10 a.m. His message will be based "Mere Christianity" on the topic of hope.
"Odus' life story fits beautifully into the theme for the week," Griffin said. "A 1987 graduate of OBU, Odus has had over 25 years of ministry experience. Sixteen of those years, Odus has served OBU through campus ministry holding multiple titles to carry out his one passion: 'calling others into a personal dynamic relationship with God; sending disciple makers into the nations to worship Him.' Also on Wednesday, Feb. 16, a panel discussion for women on the topic of relationships will be held in WMU Dorm lobby from 8:30-9 p.m.
OBU students are invited to a time of worship on Thursdays called "Canterbury." On Thursday, Feb. 17, Canterbury will focus on "The Attributes of God: Redeemer." Canterbury meets at The Corner at 9th and Philadelphia in Shawnee.
Dr. Greg Smalley will bring the chapel message on Friday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. in Raley Chapel. Smalley is director of marriage ministries for the Center for Relationship Enrichment at John Brown University. He is assistant professor of marriage and family studies at John Brown University. He is also on the teaching team at Fellowship Bible Church.
Smalley and his wife, Erin, lead marriage seminars around the world, offering intensive relationship coaching for both married and engaged couples. Smalley also trains pastors, professionals and lay leaders on how to effectively work with married and premarital couples.
A couples retreat with Greg and Erin Smalley will be held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-19, for all married, engaged and seriously dating couples. The theme will be "Communication: The Key to Your Relationship."
A hotel room will be provided for married couples, and meals and materials will be provided for all couples. The retreat sessions and meals will be held and provided in the seminar room at Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee.
"Dr. Greg Smalley has a passion to help premarital and married couples learn how to enjoy a lifetime together," Griffin said.
Dr. Smalley earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. He also earned two master's degrees, one in counseling psychology from Denver Seminary and the other in clinical psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology.
Smalley has appeared on television and radio programs, including "Focus on the Family" and "Hour of Power." He is the author or co-author of nine books on relationships.
For more information on the Smalleys' ministry devoted to equipping engaged and married couples with the knowledge, skills and insights necessary to enjoy a lifetime together, click here.
For more information about Focus Week, including information about registering for the marriage retreat, contact OBU Campus Ministry at (405) 878-2377.