UNVEILING A KINGDOM UNIVERSITY
FROM RESTORATION HERITAGE TO KINGDOM VISION
Rooted deeply in the heritage of the Restoration Movement within the churches of Christ, Oklahoma Christian University’s identity revolves around the simple yet profound aspiration of being nothing more, and nothing less, than Christian.
Its vision to become a Kingdom University is not merely a desire but a call to action — a call to reimagine higher education through the lens of Christian values and biblical principles. It’s a mission to infuse every corner of campus, every course taught and every interaction with the spirit of Christ.
A FOUNDATION BUILT ON SCRIPTURE
The Restoration Movement, particularly influential within the churches of Christ, was a nineteenth-century effort to restore the Christian church to its original New Testament form. Led by figures such as Thomas Campbell, Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone and Walter Scott, this movement prioritized unity, simplicity and adherence to biblical authority.
As a Kingdom University, OC senior leaders also aim to create a community where Jesus reigns supreme in both theological doctrine and in daily life. This vision echoes the essence of Christianity, emphasizing fundamental truths uniting believers across denominations while removing extraneous traditions and creeds.
“One of the things you hear in the Restoration Movement often is that we just want to be Christians. Just Christians only. Not hyphenated Christians, not sectarian Christians. Just unapologetic Christians who follow scripture and follow Jesus — not interested in traditions or creeds. We think the closer we are to Jesus, the closer we are to unity with all believers. It’s kind of a spirit of the Restoration,” Dean of Biblical Studies Dr. Jeremie Beller (’00) said.
While navigating theological differences can prove complex, OC focuses on the fundamental truths uniting Christians.
“We have much common ground to build upon, including the acknowledgment of God as the creator and sustainer, the recognition of man bearing God’s image stained by our own sin, the belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the Spirit as the indwelling transformer of our lives and the gospel making a claim on our lives to love God and to love others,” Provost and Assistant Professor of Finance Dr. Brian Starr said. Maintaining the model of Jesus for daily living is paramount. Even in times of disagreement, Christians are called to emulate Jesus’s demeanor, choosing grace and kindness over contention and hostility.
“We’re going to try to model the way we behave according to what Jesus does. And I think the world’s hungry for that,” Dr. Starr said.
EMBRACING THE KINGDOMS UNIVERSITY CONCEPT
Central to this endeavor of crafting a Kingdom University is the seamless blending of faith into every facet of learning and living.
“To establish a Kingdom University, the primary focus must be on cultivating a Kingdom culture. We’re strategically taking steps to design and integrate this culture, where we as a people continue to work for the good of others and speak for their welfare,” President Dr. Ken Jones said. “Utilizing chapel, Bible classes and spiritual life programs, we’re actively building this culture by integrating faith into all aspects of campus. We’re already deeply invested in this process.”
No vision comes to reality without being intentionally pursued through a deliberate plan. President Jones, along with senior leaders and the Board of Trustees, outlined a six-point plan to clearly define OC as a Kingdom University. These pillars encompass:
Kingdom Culture
Creating a distinctive environment where Christian values are evident in everyday life.
Kingdom Enrollment
Actively breaking down self-imposed barriers and initiating outreach efforts to cultivate a global community unified in faith.
Kingdom Finances
Implementing responsible financial practices and reducing debt.
Kingdom Academics
Seamlessly integrating faith into all academic disciplines.
Kingdom Co-curriculars
Aligning all student activities and athletics with Kingdom values.
Kingdom Facilities
Planning for growth and envisioning facilities that reflect OC’s Kingdom-focused mission.
While training sessions and core Kingdom attributes like humility and faith will be emphasized, the true implementation of a Kingdom University will be through modeling.
“We’re not going to have spiritual police, but we are going to model the life of Jesus. And that’s where the standard of conduct will come from,” President Jones said. “With strategic efforts and an unflinching commitment to His vision, we’re confident in our ability to create a campus where faith is a part of every aspect of life and learning.”
EQUIPPING KINGDOM BUILDERS
Gone are the days of compartmentalized faith and education. At OC, a shift towards seamlessly integrating biblical principles into every academic facet is underway. While traditional programs like Bible majors and second major options in both Missions and Vocational Ministry for non Bible majors persist, OC’s focus is now on fostering an environment where faith informs every aspect of instruction.
From foundational Bible classes to advanced capstone courses, students are encouraged to explore the intersection of faith and their chosen fields.
“It’s not just getting an academic degree. It’s getting that academic degree mixed with actual biblical context ... to see the application of what they’re doing and why they’re doing it,” Dr. Beller said. “No matter what class you’re in ... you’re coming at this from a Christian viewpoint.”
In adopting this Kingdom University vision, OC sets out to shape not just graduates but ambassadors of the Kingdom, ready to impact communities and professions for the glory of God.
One example of this integration comes from the College of Business. Here, faculty have designed each course with Christian principles and values woven into the curriculum.
Every course includes at least one specific learning objective and one class activity (lecture, discussion or assignment) directly connecting faith to the subject matter.
Dr. Jeff Simmons (’90) from the College of Business exemplifies this commitment in his Business Ethics class. He challenges students to consider how Christian principles inform ethical dilemmas and encourages them to see their ethics as grounded in their faith.
In nurturing these efforts, OC creates an environment promoting the influence of faith in every academic discipline, not just business or Bible studies. This enables the students to make decisions, choose career paths and develop a profound understanding of service and purpose within a Christian framework.
“OC’s community provides me with a great example of how to use a community setting to reach people from all backgrounds, and use my faith to bring people together and in my future bring healing through my care,” junior OC Nursing major Nadia Crooks said. “I plan to take this mission and apply it to whatever path God sets out for me in my future nursing career by always making it a priority to use the humility, compassion and patience that God gives me as a reflection of Him in my service to others.”
The impact of OC’s Kingdom vision promises to extend far beyond campus. Graduates will carry the message of service and community building wherever their paths lead.
“My time at Oklahoma Christian helped to reaffirm that the Church, the hands and feet of Christ Himself, is perfectly made of imperfect people. We all have shortcomings and strengths, but OC has shown me that you don’t have to be perfect to do the will of Jesus, you only have to be willing,” Family Science/Human Development and Vocational Ministry alumnus Mason Brasel (’24) said.
OC’s dedication to simplicity, unity and biblical authority drives its mission to embody a Kingdom University. President Jones affirms OC remains a place where education intertwines seamlessly with the pursuit of a life grounded in Christian principles. Oklahoma Christian University stands as an exceptional institution of higher learning for all who embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ.