Jimmy Neill
I’m a very proud graduate of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and am eternally grateful for the heritage and roots my family has with this university. Both my parents went to school here (Bartlesville Wesleyan College); my maternal grandfather sat on the Board of Trustees for many years; and God allowed me to meet my wife Amber (Horn) while in school. Our family has grown over the 16 years of marriage we have enjoyed; we have three children, Braden, Dalton, and Teagan, that are the joys of our life! We enjoy spending time as a family playing board games, traveling, attending sporting events, and participating in youth sports; baseball is by far our favorite family sport and activity!
Since graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sports Ministry in 2008, life has brought me on a very up and down journey. I’ve spent time working odd and end jobs, along with a short stint as a youth pastor, to pay the bills for several years before having a door opened to start my ‘professional’ career. From 2012-2016 I worked for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County (Colorado) leading afterschool and summer youth sports and fitness activities for low income youth. In 2017 God opened a door to work as a Recreation Director for the Town of Kersey (Colorado) where I spent over five years leading youth sports, planning large community events, and engaging in community relations.
About three years ago I knew God was telling me He had something more for me, I just didn’t know what that was; then COVID hit and I didn’t know what to do. Thankfully my employer was able to allow me to work through that time…then God showed up in a big way! After searching far and wide for employment options, God clearly put Bartlesville on my mind and I began to look at what options were available here. Through some back-and-forth ‘wrestling’ in my mind about what I wanted to do and where I wanted to work, this position at OKWU came available and I applied petitioning God to open up the door which He wanted me to walk through. Long story short, God made a way where I didn’t think I had a chance!
I’m extremely excited to be back at OKWU and see what wonderful things God is doing on this campus and in this community now and what is in store for the future!