University Presents Hobbs Award to Iorg at SBC Annual Meeting

June 26, 2017

Oklahoma Baptist University presented the Herschel H. Hobbs Award for Distinguished Denominational Service to Dr. Jeff Iorg, president of Gateway Seminary, Wednesday, June 14, during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Stan Norman, provost and executive vice president for campus life, and Dale Griffin, assistant vice president for spiritual life and dean of the chapel, presented the award.

The award is named to honor the noteworthy Southern Baptist denominational service of Dr. Herschel H. Hobbs, a prolific author, preacher and radio program host. Hobbs was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City from 1949-72. He died in 1995. He is also the namesake of OBU’s Herschel H. Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry.

Previous winners of the Hobbs Award include Dr. Rebekah Naylor, former IMB missionary; Dr. Tom Elliff, former president of the IMB; Robert Kellogg, president and CEO of the Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma; Dr. David S. Dockery, former president of Union University and current president of Trinity International University; and Dr. Daniel Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Prior to his service at Gateway, Iorg was the executive director of the Northwest Baptist Convention for almost ten years. He was also the founding pastor of Greater Gresham Baptist Church in Gresham, Oregon, and has served as a pastor in Missouri and a staff pastor in Texas.

Norman said Iorg’s service to the Southern Baptist denomination has been exceptional, impacting thousands through his ministry and career.

“Dr. Jeff Iorg exemplifies what it means to be a servant for Christ,” he said. “His devotion to the Gospel and his tireless commitment to serving those in the Southern Baptist Convention serve as an example for us all. His impact as president of Gateway Seminary, and his leadership in guiding the seminary through its recent name change and relocation, are a testament to his focused and steadfast determination. His years of service in the local church have touched many and helped bolster the efforts of churches across the nation. It is with great pleasure that OBU presents the Hobbs Award to Dr. Iorg. It is truly well deserved.”

Iorg teaches leadership, preaching and church ministry courses at Gateway. He speaks frequently on these same subjects in conferences and other venues, including college campuses and leadership seminars. He spoke during a chapel service at OBU in March.

His publications include seven books, including, “The Painful Side of Leadership,” “The Character of Leadership,” “Is God Calling Me?,” “The Case for Antioch,” “Live Like a Missionary,” “Seasons of a Leader’s Life” and “Ministry in the New Marriage Culture.” He has also authored dozens of articles and curriculum materials.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Hardin Simmons University. He then earned a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.