The spring semester, and the 2008-2009 school year, finished by early May and the OBU campus was quickly quiet (at least until the camps begin to arrive). Before students scattered across the world for the summer, they continued their ministries faithfully. The backyard bible club ministry hosted its 3rd annual "Camp Wamp"--a free weekend camp for Arkadelphia kids. Student leaders, planned, fund-raised, and worked the weekend themselves.

Less than a week after graduation, we sent a mission team to the pacific rim, where they divided into three separate teams. Once there, they travelled to remote villages sharing Christ, engaged in cultural exchanges with college students and aided the long-term work of permanent missionaries and national believers. This summer we also have students serving in longer term missions, from Chicago to Thailand, as well as a number of students working in camps and churches. Please keep them in your prayers.

Pics from Camp Wamp:

 

During February and March of the spring semester, our regular ministries have continued to serve the campus and community. As the weather turns warm and students' thoughts turn to the summer, we've also seen a number of students seek ministry internships and missions opportunities for the summer break. It's exciting to see our campus spread all across the country and the world, taking part in God's work of redemption.

During the last couple of months, we've had two major events: Christian Focus Week and our spring break mission trip. For CFW we were lead in worship by Matthew & Lizi Bailey. Our speakers for the week were Wes Hamilton, Teaching Pastor at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, TX, and Odus Compton, Director of Church relations for Oklahoma Baptist University. Both Matthew and Wes are OBU alumni and it was great to have them back on campus. The week was also filled with seminars, prayer times, and special events. The theme verse for the week was 2 Corinthians 4:18. CFW photos are by Austin Walker.

For spring break, we took 49 students to Panama City Beach, FL, for Beach Reach. The week is sponsored and led by Lifeway. We provided free rides and free pancakes throughout the week in order to serve students there on spring break and to get opportunites to share the gospel with them. Our students shared the gospel and love of Christ faithfully.