Oklahoma Wesleyan University

The Voice of the Martyrs and Oklahoma Wesleyan University have launched an unprecedented partnership to offer the only academic program in North America—or perhaps in the world—dedicated to the experience and theology of the persecuted Christian church in restricted nations.

In cooperation with VOM, Oklahoma Wesleyan University offers a four-year Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Christian Missions/Persecuted Church Ministry. Students of any age who are not seeking a formal degree may earn a Certificate in Persecuted Church Ministry, conferred by Oklahoma Wesleyan University upon completion of a streamlined plan of study and service.

This program provides the intellectual breadth of a liberal arts degree and includes practicum experience directed by VOM staff at VOM’s ministry center in Bartlesville. Students learn the history of anti-Christian persecution from the first century to the present, and explore the theological significance of Christian suffering rooted in the text of the Bible. They are challenged to understand the sufferings of Christ’s Body, the church, as an extension of the sufferings of Jesus Himself and therefore as a source of grace and wisdom. They examine the political and social context of persecution, and acquire practical communication and advocacy skills to marshal on behalf of contemporary Christian martyrs. (The Persecuted Church Ministry major can be combined as a major or minor with other programs—such as Business, Communications, Computer Science or Pre-Med or any other undergraduate major— forming the basis for a “tentmaking” career.)

In conjunction with these education programs, VOM and Oklahoma Wesleyan are also pleased to announce plans for an eventual Institute for the Persecuted Church. The institute will serve as a center for academic and spiritual preparation on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world, through conferences and scholarly publications. Visiting students at the Institute will earn transferable college credit from OWU while engaging in instructional, research and practicum experiences, before returning to their home universities. Stay tuned for details about the Institute for the Persecuted Church in coming months.

What the students are saying…

I have come to see that all through the Bible, God’s people, when they were truly set apart as God meant for them to be, were always persecuted. I don’t think there is any period at all in the Bible where persecution was not administered to those faithful to God. Once I realized this I had some major questions to ask myself and had to consider, not only if I am willing to be persecuted, but why wasn’t I? In the New Testament, God used the persecution of His people as a spectacle to the world to draw men to Himself. Now, whenever I think of martyrdom, I think of the demonstration of love that it is to all watching. The greatest love is to lay down your life for a friend and this is what the persecuted church, and people who are martyred are doing. These things made me think of how much of my life is a spectacle to the world of love for my Savior. – Mary Manchester, OWU student

There are some who say that the only suffering that touches a Christian’s life is spiritual suffering. However, the apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, describes being flogged, being exposed to death, being beaten and whipped, and many more sufferings for Christ. Sounds like he did more than “suffer spiritually”… – Chris Miller, OWU Graduate

Thank you for your interest in the Persecuted Church Ministry program at OWU. To find out more, view the CBN video links below:

• OWU & VOM – Full Video
• OWU & VOM – Part 1
• OWU & VOM – Part 2