President’s Letter: NOW

Dr. Jim Dunn, President

Now more than ever, we need to encourage each other

I’m often asked why I would ever consider being president of a Christian University.

To be frank, I serve the Lord and his church in my current station because I believe the youth of our day can change this world. I sincerely believe this. As they get right with Christ and love others with the compassion I see them demonstrate so well, I believe they can fix this crazy, godless world we find ourselves living in these days.

Every generation wonders if the youth of their day will ever figure out the Christian walk in a biblically honoring manner. Older saints question if we are all on the slippery slope of watching Christian living get thrown into the dumpster in their lifetime. The generation before mine had similar thoughts regarding my peers and me. In our current culture of fear, there are a few things we need to remember and remind the next generation of if we will ever experience a Christ-honoring, vibrant, and transformative future.

Now more than ever, we need to encourage each other, especially our young adults. We must let everyone know that there is hope. It may not seem like there is any time left, but we all have the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ while we still have breath.

Now more than ever, we need to let our young people know their lives count. That they are significant. We need to stoke the fire of God in their hearts and minds as they consider what God is calling them to. We need to let them know that God is for them, and so are we. Now is the time!

Oklahoma Wesleyan University is a biblically centered university in a culture and world that needs the grace and truth of Jesus desperately. It always has been, it is now, and it is my aim to make sure it always will be, God being our Helper. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NLT) says what we strive to teach at Oklahoma Wesleyan University:

“And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”

OKWU has a leading role in participating in Christ’s redemptive work in the world by offering a biblical worldview, Christocentric resources, godly mentorship, and Judeo-Christian scholarship. May we all remember that our biblically-centered ethos is pillared on the Primacy of Jesus Christ; the Priority of Scripture; the Pursuit of Truth; and the Practice of Wisdom.

Now more than ever, I believe in our students and alumni. For Wendy and me, this belief is not just something we say. We want this belief to ooze out of our lives into all of our students, alumni, staff, faculty, and friends. Team OKWU is fantastic! And now more than ever, we need your prayers, partnerships, and generosity for Oklahoma Wesleyan University to thrive as we seek to advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ!