Dr. Bill Buker was born and raised in New England as a preacher’s kid - a fourth generation
Pentecostal minister. His parents, Pentecostal pastors, pioneered churches in northern
New England. Along with being heavily involved in sports and school activities, he
also had a passion for playing the trumpet and was selected to the McDonalds All-American
Band in 1976-77, which provided him with several once-in-a-lifetime opportunities,
which included marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Bowl Parade,
performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and taping for television at NBC studios
in Pasadena.
Prior to joining the faculty at ORU, Dr. Buker was involved in pastoral ministry,
serving in a variety of areas, including children, youth, Christian education, and
pastoral care. He was also in full-time private practice as a licensed psychotherapist,
and he continues to maintain a part-time practice specializing in marriage and family
issues.
Coming to terms with his heritage of Pentecostal spirituality was a significant factor
in his development process. As a result of this ongoing experience, he renewed his
commitment to the Spirit-centered life and to helping others discover the power and
freedom that can be found in living by the Spirit. Most of the important events that
shaped his life came in the form of personal challenges that required deep soul searching
and significant change. Spending ten years in pastoral ministry was especially influential
in challenging him to wrestle with the dynamics of the divine-human interaction in
the context of suffering. As a result, he is passionate about being part of the redemptive
process with clients and students who are seeking to create something of beauty and
value out of situations that didn’t go as intended.
Dr. Buker first came to ORU in 1977 as a student, to play baseball. He stayed on
to earn a B. A. in Theological/Historical Studies., an M.Div. in Pastoral Studies;
an M. A. in Counseling, and a Dr. of Ministry. While a psychotherapist in fulltime
practice in the Tulsa community, he was asked in 1994 to fill in for a professor at
ORU who was taking a leave of absence. He later became a fulltime adjunct instructor
in the undergraduate department of Behavioral Science for five years. He then accepted
a position in the ORU Graduate School of Theology and Ministries as an Associate Professor
of Counseling. To be a “whole person” faculty member, he seeks to maintain balance
in his life by regular exercise and healthy eating habits, nurturing himself spiritually,
regular devotional and religious practices, and by stimulating his mind through regular
reading and study habits.
Dr. Buker’s goal is to keep in step with the Holy Spirit both personally and professionally.
“Personally, I am seeking to be open and responsive to the work of the Spirit in my
own life,” he states, “and professionally, I am seeking to be discerning and cooperative
with the activity of the Spirit in the lives of my clients and students.”
Dr. Buker and his wife Kim were married in 1985 and have two beautiful daughters,
Megan (b. 1990) and Rachel (b. 1997). His favorite hobby is tennis.
View Dr. Buker's CV here.