Patrick Oden

Dr. Patrick Oden serves as Associate Dean of the School of Ministry and Christian Thought at OKWU. An ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church, Dr. Oden brings deep pastoral and academic experience to the role, with a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology and Church History.

He is the author of four books exploring themes of theology, community, and liberation—his most recent work is Hope for the Oppressor: Discovering Freedom Through Transformative Community.

Originally from California, Dr. Oden lives in Lake Arrowhead with his wife, Amy, a worship leader and former church planter and missionary in France. They have two children—Vianne and Oliver—whose birthdays happen to line up with theologian Jürgen Moltmann and Harry Potter, respectively.

When he’s not teaching or writing, you’ll find Dr. Oden outdoors, enjoying hiking, birdwatching, kayaking, or sailing whenever he gets the chance.