Pastor Owen, congratulations on being elected president of Oklahoma Baptists. Can you tell us about your call to ministry and about your education?
I was saved as a young child at Central Baptist Church in Central High, Oklahoma. I surrendered to vocational ministry at Falls Creek after my 8th grade year in school. After graduating from Central High, I received my undergrad degree at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), then finished my Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Can you tell us about your family?
My wife Amanda and I met at OBU, and we were married after graduation in 2004. Our three kids were all born during our time in New Orleans. They are teenagers now, and we are having so much fun watching the Lord at work in their lives. Amanda’s happy place is with teenagers and college students, so it’s fun to be in this season as a family.
Please share some about the places God has enabled you to serve, including your church today?
During my time at OBU, I served at FBC Stratford, FBC Ramona, Northside Baptist in Corsicana, TX, and Mt. Pleasant Baptist outside of Shawnee. Henderson Hills Baptist in Edmond was very good to my family following Hurricane Katrina, and we served on staff with them for a while. Most of the time in seminary was spent doing pulpit supply in Louisiana and Mississippi while serving as the school’s Financial Aid Director, plus I had the chance to be the baseball chaplain one summer for the New Orleans Zephyrs AAA team. Later, I pastored at Crossroads Community Church in Kenner, LA, then at FBC Bay St. Louis, MS, before coming to Emmaus in 2015.
How is the Lord blessing and working through your church, OKC, Emmaus?
Since the mid-1980s when Emmaus was planted by First Moore, this church family has been focused on local and global missions. I’m so thankful for the church’s generosity and for the commitment to proclaim and display Jesus. We’re in a unique situation now where many young families are joining the church. The stage has been full for the past few Parent-Child Dedications, and we are also seeing college and career students—both single and married—connect with the church. Probably my favorite part of Emmaus is the inter-generational love and joy within the church family. Old, young and in-between, we are trying to encourage one another and share the hope of Christ with our community.
Can you talk about the unique fellowship we share among Oklahoma Baptists?
Before this year’s Annual Meeting, I was reading the Messenger profile about Kevin Moss, pastor at Antioch Fellowship Baptist Church in Spencer and current 1st Vice-President for Oklahoma Baptists. I don’t think I can improve on his answer to this question; I’ve saved it to my phone. Pastor Moss stated: “It is a bond rooted in our shared faith, united purpose and unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel. Together, we uplift one another through prayer, encouragement and collaboration, creating a community that embodies the love of Christ. Oklahoma Baptists are a constant source of inspiration and strength, reminding me of the power of unity in serving in God’s Kingdom.”
Oklahoma Baptists are known for their commitment to missions and missions giving, among other things. Can you talk about the unique blessings we have as Oklahoma Baptists?
I know it’s an old phrase, but when I think about the unique blessings we have as Oklahoma Baptists, I think of the phrase: “Blessed to be a blessing.” We have been blessed with amazing people, strong churches and faithful pastors, not to mention financial and material blessings. We don’t want to hold onto these things or take them for granted. We must steward and multiply these blessings generationally and globally.
How can Oklahoma Baptists pray for you?
Pray that I will love my family well, serve faithfully and joyfully within my church family and handle Oklahoma Baptists’ meetings and responsibilities with humility and wisdom.
