Globally-Renowned Scholar Named Dean of ORU's College of Theology and Ministry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Stephanie Hill, Director of University Relations & Communications
Office: 918.495.7337, Mobile: 918.720.5548
sthill@oru.edu

Tulsa, OK – Oral Roberts University President Dr. William M. Wilson today announced globally-renowned scholar Dr. Wonsuk Ma as ORU’s new Dean of the College of Theology and Ministry. Dr. Ma joined ORU’s faculty nearly two years ago as the Distinguished Professor of Global Christianity for the Graduate School. He has also been working to create and sustain a Ph.D. program in theology at ORU.

“Dr. Ma is a highly-regarded, Spirit-filled scholar who loves the Lord and is passionate about making ORU a global center of research to strengthen the Spirit-empowered movement,” said Dr. Wilson. “His background in academia and extensive missions experience will be a great asset to this College.”

Dr. Ma, along with his wife Julie, who is also an ORU faculty member, spent 10 years as Executive Director of the Oxford Center for Mission Studies, which has become Europe’s largest Ph.D. program in Mission Studies. Before this time, the couple lived in the Philippines for 27 years, where Dr. Ma served as a pastor and church planter.

In addition to his time at the Oxford Center for Mission Studies, Dr. Ma’s academic experience includes serving as Vice President and teaching at Asia Pacific Theological Seminary in the Philippines and Hansei University in Goonpo, Korea. Dr. Ma has also been a guest instructor at Bethesda Christian University and Central Bible College in Tokyo, and Visiting Fellow at Yale Divinity School.

“Dr. Ma’s Ph.D. dissertation titled ‘The Spirit of God in Isaiah’ has enriched the world’s understanding of the Spirit in mission,” said ORU’s Provost, Dr. Kathaleen Reid-Martinez. “His understanding of the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of the believer and in the Spirit-empowered world makes him the perfect person to serve as ORU’s Dean.”

“The Board of Trustees is thrilled Dr. Ma has accepted this prestigious position at ORU,” said Board Chair Dr. Mike Rakes. “He has been faithfully serving the University and will add a new global dimension to the College of Theology and Ministry.”

“The function of a university is to train people,” Dr. Ma said, “but another very important function is the creation of knowledge. The University has been doing brilliantly in training, but Dr. Wilson also wants to make ORU a premiere thought-leader, especially for the global Spirit-empowered movement. I’m honored to serve that purpose as Dean.”

Dr. Wilson also announced Dr. Bill Buker as Associate Dean of the College of Theology and Ministry. He currently serves as Professor of Christian Counseling in the Graduate College. Dr. Buker first came to ORU in 1977 as a student. He earned 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, he was asked in 1994 to fill in for a professor who was on leave. He later became a fulltime adjunct instructor and eventually joined the faculty of the Graduate School.

Dr. Ma officially begins as the new Dean May 1.