The first leadership summit of its kind at Oklahoma Christian University starts on Monday, Oct. 12. The summit will feature three speakers: Jon Gordon, Chaunte Lowe and the president of the university, Ken Jones. Jones has been the president of Oklahoma Christian for four years, and leadership has been an interest to him for more than 30 years. The Talon spoke with Jones for a preview of the upcoming summit.
“We believe that the university, as a kingdom university, needs more exposure to the business world, and we believe that people need to understand more and more that we are a kingdom university, and this is a way to bring people to our campus that maybe haven’t been on our campus ever before. We want this campus to be seen as a resource to all kinds of churches, to all kinds of faith-based groups, and we want to be seen as a resource to the business community, and so that’s really the purpose is to be a benefit, a resource, and we believe in leadership,” Jones said.
Speaker Jon Gordon is a 19x best-selling author and writer of over 30 books including, “The Energy Bus” and “The Power of Positive Leadership”. Among other activities, Gordon works as a mindset and culture consultant for corporate executives, Fortune 500 companies and athletic teams across the NFL, NBA, and MLB.
“His major theme is being positive in leadership and helping other people see life on a more positive side,” Jones said.
Gordon recommended Chaunte Lowe as a third keynote speaker. Lowe is a four-time Olympian, believer in Christ, wife and mother of three. In addition to her sports career achievements, Lowe faced a battle with aggressive breast cancer. Her talk focuses on perseverance.
“Every leader knows that there are times in life when it’s really hard and very, very difficult… Every leader needs to know about endurance and perseverance because it’s really tough sometimes,” Jones said.
Jones has spoken on leadership to corporate groups such as Texas Instruments, as well as hospital and banking systems. In each setting, he points to the same source.
“I think the Bible is the best leadership resource, the best leadership book ever written… God teaches you how to give hope to people, and God teaches you how to work for the good of others, and God teaches you how to be kind and respectful to people,” Jones said.
The goal is to continue the leadership summits in the years to come. Gordon could return as a featured speaker, along with others from his circle such as Patrick Lencioni, Henry Cloud, or John Maxwell.
“We hope we have an annual conference in leadership… we hope it grows larger and larger and has more and more meaning to it,” Jones said.
Monday night’s lecture is free, although registration is required. The hope is that this session of the summit is accessible to all students. Opportunities to hear from these speakers are rare and a chance students are entreated to take.
“Deep in my heart, I want our students here to learn leadership, faith-based leadership… If you can’t get in or have time to come to the morning session, I would beg you to fill up the auditorium on Monday night. This is a really special opportunity for students to come and hear an energetic person who’s extremely positive talk about his passion for leadership, and it’ll make a difference. It’ll pick you up and pep you up,” Jones said.
For Jones, leadership has a distinct purpose and motive.
“Leaders have to understand you’re here for one reason. It’s not so you can get a big paycheck. It’s not so you can have a special parking place… It’s so that you work for the good of others, and if that’s not in your heart, you shouldn’t be a leader,” Jones said.
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