Mills Encourages Students to Take a Step of Faith During Sept. 22 Chapel

September 22, 2021

Brian Mills, senior pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Yukon, Oklahoma, preached the message during chapel service Sept. 22 at OBU. The service took place inside Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium.

Mills has been in ministry for more than 20 years, having served as a youth pastor of ministries ranging from seven students to more than 2,000 students. He travels preaching all over the U.S. and around the world as well as doing leadership training. Mills has co-authored three books, the latest being “A Different College Experience.”

Mills preached primarily from Joshua 3:1-13, where Joshua and the Israelites are preparing to cross the Jordan River. He explained that Joshua was faithful where he was until God gave him a leadership role and because of that, he was one of only two people who escaped from Egypt to see the promised land. Mills also explained that Joshua and the Israelites, “…had to grow where they were to be prepared for where they were going.”

Mills told the students that as believers, we are called to do the same so that we don’t miss our own promised land.

“Lean into where you are and make the most of the opportunity,” he said. “If you don’t grow here, you aren’t going to be ready for there.”

Mills then explained the significance of the Ark of the Covenant in Joshua 3 and how it represents the presence of God. In this passage, the Israelites were told that when they saw the Ark of the Covenant, they were to move out from their position and follow it. Mills noted that in the same way, we are to follow the will of God.

“You move when God tells you to move,” Mills said. “You don’t chase after your feelings, you follow your faith…You’ve got to follow the presence of God and you’ve got to trust the Lord along the journey.”

He then shared a passage from Proverbs 4:25-27, “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”

He then issued a challenge to the students in the room.

“What would happen if the college students of America ran from…the things of this world and ran to the word of God?” He continued, “Why chase the ways of the world when you can follow the God who created it?”

Mills then challenged the attendees to take a step of faith and trust God to split whatever challenge or Jordan faces them. Whether it be spending time studying the Bible every day, sharing their testimony or even surrendering their life to God, he challenged the students to take whatever step of faith lies ahead of them and cling to the presence of God.