Registration Open for OBU’s Annual Pastors School July 15-17

May 7, 2019

OBU will host the 2019 Pastors’ School, “Shepherding the Flock: Insights into 1 Peter,” July 15-17. Designed to provide pastors with practical strategies for equipping the church, the event will offer breakout sessions, keynote speakers and numerous free resources. Registration is $75 until June 1 and then increases to $99.

The 2019 Pastors’ School will feature keynote speakers Rev. Anthony Scott, pastor of First Baptist Church North Tulsa, and Dr. Hance Dilbeck, executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. Breakout sessions will be led by Dr. Heath Thomas, dean of the Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry; Dr. Bobby Kelly, Ruth Dickinson professor of Religion; and James Swain, equipping team leader with the BGCO.

Scott earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Langston University. He then earned a master’s degree in theology with an emphasis in pastoral leadership and a master’s degree in ministry, both from Andersonville Theological Seminary. He has served as a senior pastor for more than 20 years at churches including Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Haskell, Oklahoma; St. Mark Baptist Church, Muskogee, Oklahoma; and First Baptist Church North Tulsa. Pastor Scott’s ministry extends far beyond the pulpit. He is an active member of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. Inc.; the Oklahoma Baptist State Convention; the Creek District Baptist Association; and the Downtown Tulsa Clergy Alliance. His enthusiasm for writing has allowed him to serve on the Tulsa World Editorial Community Advisory Board and also write weekly inspirational articles for the Oklahoma Eagle Newspaper.

Dilbeck has served as the executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, in 2018. He previously served as the senior pastor at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City from 2003 to 2018. He is an OBU alumnus, graduating in 1987. He earned two advanced degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity in 1992 and a Doctor of Ministry in 2002. He served as a pastor in Oklahoma churches for more than 30 years. He has also served in many other areas of denominational work, having been the featured preacher for Falls Creek Youth Camp, chairman of the board of trustees at OBU, chairman of the board of trustees at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, second vice-president of the Southern Baptist Convention, president of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and chairman of the board of trustees for the International Mission Board.

Thomas was installed as dean of the Hobbs College for Theology and Ministry in December 2015. He also serves as associate vice president for church relations and professor of Old Testament at OBU. He holds degrees from OBU, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the University of Gloucestershire (UK). Prior to serving at OBU, he was the director of Ph.D. studies and associate professor of Old Testament at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He has pastored or served on staff at churches in Oklahoma, Texas, North Carolina and in the United Kingdom. Passionate about opening the Scriptures for today, he preaches and teaches regularly and serves as interim pastor when he is able.

Kelly joined the OBU faculty in 1997. In 2000, he was named the Rowena Strickland Professor of Bible, and in 2004, he was named the Ruth Dickinson Chair of Bible. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Clear Creek Baptist College in Pineville, Kentucky. He then earned a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He likewise earned a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from Southwestern, where he served as a teaching fellow for three years.

Swain is the equipping team leader for the BGCO, serving in this position since March 2015. He previously served as the director of conference centers for the BGCO. He has pastored numerous churches in Oklahoma, including First Baptist Church of Kingfisher, College Heights Baptist Church of Chickasha, Calvary Baptist Church of Sulphur, and First Baptist Church of Medford. Prior to entering the pastorate, he served in youth ministry. He is a graduate of OBU, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, earning a Doctor of Educational Ministry at Midwestern.