With the start of a new academic year, Oklahoma Christian University is inviting the campus community to focus on its 2025–26 verse of the year, Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Chosen by Oklahoma Christian’s Spiritual Life Office, the verse serves as a guiding theme for students, faculty, and staff throughout the academic year. It reflects the university’s spiritual vision and highlights the importance of community engagement, faith development and campus unity.
Oklahoma Christian’s Campus Minister, Scott Young, commented on the verse and vision for the year.
“President Jones’s vision for the university is a Kingdom university. We believe that the scripture, that God can do more than we could ever ask or imagine, is an important scripture for not just our university, but for people in general who are facing challenges,” Young said. “President Jones’s vision is that this university be a beacon of light and a messenger, not just in our community, but around the world.”
Young explained one way the Spiritual Life Office is implementing this vision is by inviting local ministers and pastors to collaborate with the university. By building these relationships, the university hopes to strengthen its connection to area churches and encourage a shared commitment to cultivating a Kingdom-minded community.
“We just had a prayer breakfast this last week where over 70 ministers and pastors from this area came together to pray for students, faculty, staff, our university, and for revival and that God would work and do more than we ask or imagine in our community. That is why we invited so many ministers and pastors to come,” Young said. “We looked at the student body and all of the churches that those students represent and thought we need to bring those churches together to pray for this year and to pray God’s blessings over all of it.
Young also commented on the recent relocation and expansion of the Spiritual Life Office from the Mabee Learning Center to the Williams-Branch Center for Biblical Studies. The centralized location gives the office more space and creates a more accessible environment to support and advance its vision.
“The whole idea of this Spiritual Life Center came from our desire to strengthen partnerships with area churches, community churches, other Churches of Christ and to create this Kingdom-focused university experience,” Young said. “We’ve got several people in this Spiritual Life Center now who are working together to help our students grow spiritually. There’s a lot of things that go into that. There’s chapel, there’s one-on-one mentoring, there’s group Bible studies, there’s any number of things we all pitch in together and do because we think it is important. We think having this center that is located in one place where we can all brainstorm together and be together is going to be important. And hopefully we’ll make a positive impact,” Young said.
The Spiritual Life Center encourages students, faculty, staff, and the community to join them in promoting the vision of a Kingdom university rooted in faith, service, and unity. By fostering a supportive environment, the center aims to build strong relationships across campus and throughout the area, helping individuals to grow spiritually and serve others with purpose. As the campus embraces the message of Ephesians 3:20-21, the university hopes this verse of the year will guide the community through the challenges ahead and strengthen their commitment to faith and fellowship.
0
0
Be First to Comment