Dilbeck Delivers Chapel Message Aug. 26

August 26, 2020

Dr. Hance Dilbeck, executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists (previously known as the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma), delivered the OBU chapel message Wednesday, Aug. 26. The message was delivered online due to the University’s modifications this semester resulting from COVID-19. Students accessed the message inside the Canvas learning management system, on the University website and via the school’s social media channels.

Dilbeck’s message came from Mark 1:14-18. He talked about the complexity of the time that we are living in and how we can deal with the circumstances around us.

“The more complex our circumstance, the more we have to give attention to the basics,” he said. “Complexity drives us to the basics and to the fundamentals.” 

Dilbeck explained that just like the disciples left their fishing nets to follow Jesus and become fishers of men, we too become Christians in the same way.

“Christians are people that spend their days repenting, believing in the gospel and following Jesus,” he said. “We are so critical of others and so blind to our own faults.”

He then encouraged students to identify what it is in their lives that may be exposing them to sin from the pressures of the current world around us, reminding them that, “One of the keys to influence is to be more critical of ourselves than we are of other people.”

Dilbeck explained that as Christians, we should not be fearful during this time because we have the gospel and can share that hope with those around us. He goes on to say that we need to believe in the gospel and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Jesus Christ, through his death and resurrection and reign, has all authority to make things right.” 

He concluded the message by challenging students to get serious about following Jesus and encouraged them by saying that no matter the uncertainty and the unknowns of the season we are in, Jesus is always with us.

Before assuming his current role as the executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists in 2017, Dilbeck served as the senior pastor of Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. He is an OBU alumnus, graduating in 1987. He has previously served on the OBU board of trustees, spoken in chapel services, and delivered the OBU commencement address. In 2017, he was the recipient of OBU’s Alumni Achievement Award, given in recognition of outstanding life service which has brought honor to the recipient’s alma mater.

Born and raised in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, he earned two advanced degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary following his time at OBU, 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.