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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

Oklahoma Baptist University announces Dr. Stephen Stallard as new Witness to Win Associate Professor of Evangelism

October 6, 2025

OBU has named Dr. Stephen Stallard as the first Witness to Win Associate Professor of Evangelism and Associate Professor of Evangelism and Christian Ministry. He will begin his role in January 2025.

The professorship, created through the generosity of the Witness to Win Foundation and the Mathena Family, is a historic first for OBU and a central element of the university’s Shape the Future campaign. It is designed to equip students and churches with practical training, mentorship and a gospel-centered approach to ministry at a time when evangelism trends are in decline across many churches.

Dr. Brandon Smith, Chair of the Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry, said, “I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Stallard and his family to Shawnee. He is a committed Baptist theologian, an experienced and faithful evangelistic pastor, and a master teacher. I look forward to serving alongside him as we train students to be biblically rooted, theologically faithful, and practically relevant.”

Extensive experience

Stallard, who holds a Ph.D. in applied theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, brings to the role extensive experience in both academic and church ministry. He most recently served as assistant professor of pastoral ministry at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon, where he taught courses in preaching, pastoral care, missions, church planting, urban ministry, and apologetics, always with an eye toward evangelism and discipleship. He also directed the seminary’s Master of Divinity program.

In addition to his teaching, Stallard has extensive ministry experience. He served as church planter and pastor of Mosaic Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York, from 2013 to 2021, where he led a multicultural congregation and coordinated extensive COVID-19 relief efforts. He also serves as English ministry pastor at Chinese Evangelical Church in Hillsboro, Oregon. Earlier, he worked with the International Mission Board as an urban immersion coach in New York City, training and supervising new missionary teams.

Stallard is the author of several books, including his most recent book, "Missional Preaching: Communicating the Gospel in an Age of Unbelief” (B&H Academic). He has also contributed numerous journal articles and essays on preaching and mission.

Alongside teaching, Stallard will lead evangelism initiatives on OBU’s campus and across the region and oversee student internships and ministry placements, helping connect students with practical opportunities for service and leadership.

Witness to Win

Founded in 2017, the Witness to Win Foundation was established by the Mathena Family to further evangelistic ministry efforts around the world. John Mathena, president of the foundation, said the family views its support of OBU as part of a long-term commitment to strengthening gospel witness.

The professorship is housed in OBU’s Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry. The program is expected to provide lasting impact through coursework, outreach initiatives and training that will prepare graduates to lead churches and ministries with an emphasis on evangelism.

“I could not be more excited to welcome Dr. Stallard to OBU as our inaugural Witness to Win Associate Professor of Evangelism and Associate Professor of Evangelism and Christian Ministry,” said OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas. “Dr. Stallard is a proven evangelist, pastor, church planter and academic leader. This rare combination will prove to be pure gold for our students and our churches. Welcome home to Bison Hill, Dr. Stallard!”

Thomas reflected on the significance of the Witness to Win professorate at OBU: “For years, I have dreamed and prayed about how we might ensconce evangelism and missions in the heart of our university. Because of the faithfulness and generosity of our treasured friends, the Mathena family, we can begin to see that heartbeat for gospel advance accelerate in our day. The heartbeat of Witness to Win is in rhythm with the heartbeat of OBU – to see the lost saved and a world reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are eternally grateful.”