Max Don Barnett, 89, longtime director of the Baptist Student Union/Baptist Collegiate Ministry at the University of Oklahoma (OU), died May 17.
Barnett, a native of Littlefield, Texas, helped lead a ministry at OU that celebrated its Centennial on Oct. 20, 2023. More than 500 students and BCM/BSU alumni and supporters gathered for the special 100th anniversary event.
Barnett served at OU from 1967-2004, “Where his faithful, Spirit-led leadership established a model of collegiate ministry marked by evangelistic fervor, doctrinal depth, and pastoral care for students. Max faithfully served the Lord Jesus Christ for more than 60 years in Baptist collegiate ministry, giving his life to reaching university students with the Gospel and discipling generations of young men and women for Kingdom service,” said Shane Kammerer, current OU BCM director.
In 1999, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) President at the time appointed Barnett to serve on the Baptist Faith and Message Study Committee, a blue-ribbon committee chaired by the late Adrian Rogers, which convened to review and revise the Convention’s confessional statement for a new generation of Southern Baptists. The committee delivered its report to the Convention on June 14, 2000, resulting in the adoption of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000—a document now affirmed as a faithful summary of biblical doctrine and the confessional foundation of Southern Baptist cooperation.
Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Fisher said, “Max Barnett was an Oklahoma Baptists icon in Baptist Collegiate Ministry. He served at the BCM at OU for 37 years and was a member of the committee that presented the updated Baptist Faith & Message in 2000. His long, far-reaching legacy of disciple making and evangelism has a tremendous impact for the kingdom of God.”
An outpouring of support and appreciation for Barnett was seen across social media.
Chad Coleman, state director of BCM for Oklahoma Baptists, said, “I am incredibly thankful for the legacy and impact Max Barnett had on campus ministry in Oklahoma and around the U.S. Over the past year, he often took time to call, encourage me and pray for me.”
Pastor Bill Elliff said, “Max Barnett was one of the greatest men I’ve ever known. God led him to oversee the Baptist student work at the University of Oklahoma for decades, but it was merely a launching pad to change the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and ministries around the world. He arguably started more student ministries on major college universities than any man living.”
One OU alumni on the BSU staff under the leadership of Barnett said on Facebook, “At the BSU he taught me how and what ministries are all about. He’s a great leader and speaker and Christ was his life.”
Another former student said, “Under his leadership, I learned how to walk with God. I learned how to understand my faith and how to share Jesus with others.”
Kammerer added, “Max was truly a pioneer in ministry. His discipleship methods revolutionized campus ministry as we know it today. Max’s impact is still felt today at OU and other BCM’s, and he will be greatly missed. We are praying for his family.”
Barnett held a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary, and Doctor of Ministry degree from Midwestern Seminary. He has also served as the volunteer state director for the Baptist Collegiate Ministries in Colorado and has been a professor of collegiate ministries holding the E.F. Hallock Chair of Student Work at Southwestern Seminary. He has been married to his wife Sandra for more than 60 years. They have one son, daughter-in-law and four grandchildren. Barnett was a longtime member at Norman, Trinity, where he served as an elder.
Funeral service details are to be announced. Look for additional coverage by the Baptist Messenger in future publications.
