Fall Chapels Discuss 'Pursuit of God'

September 2, 2011

During the fall 2011 semester, students at OBU will hear a variety of speakers bring messages on the current chapel theme, "The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine," based on the classic book by Christian author A.W. Tozer.

All chapel services begin at 10 a.m. in Raley Chapel's Potter Auditorium (unless otherwise noted). The community is invited to attend the hour-long services which include worship led by OBU student musicians.

The first chapel speaker on this semester's theme will be Dr. Bobby Kelly, OBU Ruth Dickinson professor of religion, on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Kelly will bring a theme interpretation on "The Pursuit of God."

In the forward to Tozer's book, the publisher writes the usefulness of the book can be attributed to the author's "great spiritual discovery that to seek God does not narrow one's life, but brings it, rather, to the level of highest fulfillment." The key Scripture for the semester is Psalm 42:1, "As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, God."

Other topics and speakers for chapel services during the fall semester include:

Monday, Sept. 12 - Global Outreach Week, "The Pursuit of God: Following Hard After God," based on Psalm 63:8. Dr. Bruce Carlton, director of OBU's Avery T. Willis Center for Global Outreach and WMU professor of missions, will speak.

Wednesday, Sept. 14 - Global Outreach Week, "The Pursuit of God: Following Hard After God," based on Psalm 63:8. Sam Porter, disaster relief director for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, will speak.

Friday, Sept. 16 - Global Outreach Week, "The Pursuit of God: Following Hard After God," based on Psalm 63:8. Dr. Joy Turner, director of global mobilization at OBU, will speak.

Monday, Sept. 19 - Champions of Character assembly in the Noble Complex

Wednesday, Sept. 21 - "The Pursuit of God: Removing the Veil," based on Hebrews 10:19. Alex Himaya, senior pastor of The Church at Battle Creek, will speak.

Wednesday, Sept. 28 - "The Pursuit of God: The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing," based on Matthew 5:3. Doug Grote, Upward Sports, will speak.

Friday, Sept. 30 - student-led chapel

Wednesday, Oct. 5 - "The Pursuit of God: Apprehending God," based on Psalm 34:8. The speaker will be Dr. Jeff Iorg. Music will be led by Dr. Ken Gabrielse, dean of the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts.

Monday, Oct. 10 - Class Chapel (meetings for individual classes: freshmen in Potter Auditorium; sophomores in Yarborough Auditorium; juniors in Stubblefield Chapel; and seniors in Geiger Center 218-220).

Wednesday, Oct. 12 - "The Pursuit of God: The Universal Presence," based on Psalm 139:7. The speaker is pending.

Wednesday, Oct. 19 - "The Pursuit of God: The Speaking Voice," based on John 1:1. The speaker is Jim Putman, senior pastor of Real Life Ministries.

Monday, Oct. 24 - student-led chapel during "Be a Bison Day"

Wednesday, Oct. 26 - "The Pursuit of God: The Gaze of the Soul," based on Hebrews 12:2. Professor, author and speaker Calvin Miller will bring the message.

Wednesday, Nov. 2 - Hobbs Lecture Series, "The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine," based on Psalm 42:1. Dr. Phil Roberts, president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, will speak. Music will be led by Gabrielse.

Friday, Nov. 4 - Champions of Character assembly in the Noble Complex

Monday, November 7 - student-led chapel during "Night on the Hill"

Saturday, Nov. 12 - Homecoming Chapel

Wednesday, Nov. 16 - "The Pursuit of God: Restoring the Creator-Creature Relation," based on Psalm 57:5. Walker Moore, president and founder of Awe Star Ministries, will speak.

Friday, Nov. 18 - student-led chapel, "The Pursuit of God: Meekness and Rest," based on Matthew 5:5.

Wednesday, Nov. 30 - "The Pursuit of God: The Sacrament of Living," based on 1 Corinthians 10:31. Speaker is pending. Music will be led by Dr. Lee Hinson, associate professor of church music, with Yonah Two Bears, a senior from Tulsa, Okla.

Saturday, Dec. 3 - Hanging of the Green, 7 p.m., Potter Auditorium

Wednesday, Dec. 7 - Fine Arts Christmas Chapel

For more information about OBU chapel services, contact OBU Campus Ministry at (405) 878-2377.