Serving Over 3,600 Indonesian Youth: The Impact of ORU Graduate Margaret Wu
Margaret Wu
Hometown: Indonesia | Youth Pastor at GMS Church (Rose of Sharon)
Field of Study: Masters in Christian Ministry
As a pastor, Margaret Wu serves at GMS (Rose of Sharon) Church, one of the fastest-growing churches in Indonesia. Initially, Margaret worked with children at the church, but she was offered an opportunity to oversee all high school and college students. Not knowing if she would fit the role, Margaret stepped into it by faith. Now she oversees over 4,400 youth in her church, and her heart is brimming with hope for this generation.
“When I first started,” Margaret said, “my heart was focused on little children. But then my pastor, Philip Mantofa, asked if I would become the youth pastor. I didn’t think I was qualified for the calling, but I now know that the calling has qualified me.”
In her new role as a youth pastor, Margaret began working with teenagers from various backgrounds, each carrying their own hopes, dreams, and challenges. To reach this diverse group and foster their spiritual growth, Margaret sought a different ministry approach than she had used with younger children. This brought her to ORU, where she began her Masters in Christian Ministry through the University’s Church and Educational Partnerships (CEP) program.
"I learned the practical steps for applying biblical knowledge … from how to teach a class to how I can be creative with our youth. It’s enriched how I preach and teach the Bible."
How ORU Supports CEP Partner Students Like Margaret
ORU’s CEP program serves churches, schools, businesses, and ministries by making higher education more accessible and affordable for Spirit-empowered students.As a 2023 graduate, Margaret earned her master's degree in order to better serve her church and youth in Indonesia. Through ORU’s whole-person education, Margaret has learned to better apply the principles of discipleship and implement her ministry through enhanced teachings.
“At ORU,” Margaret said, “I learned the practical steps for applying biblical knowledge … from how to teach a class to how I can be creative with our youth. It’s enriched how I preach and teach the Bible. I also learned a lot about discipleship, which has equipped me for group leadership.”
Margaret’s ORU Experience and Vision for the Youth
Despite being an online student, Margaret traveled to Tulsa to attend ORU’s 2023 graduation in person. Once she arrived on campus, Margaret says the ORU experience was unlike any other educational experience she’d ever seen.
“I saw parents laying hands on their children,” Margaret said, “and I saw a university that prayed for its students. This isn’t something I experienced as an undergraduate. These practices make ORU different. The University has a safe and welcoming environment where a student's spiritual and academic life can be nourished so they can graduate with godly knowledge. To me, these are the differences that set ORU apart.”
Pastor Margaret Wu speaking to the youth of Rose of Sharon Church
To learn more about how you can develop as a leader, please visit oru.edu.
UNIVERSITY BRIEF
ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 15 years of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor’s level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 150 nations (from 2019 to 2023) to be whole leaders for the whole world.
The Wall Street Journal ranked ORU as the #8 university in the nation for student experience and one of America's Best Colleges (2024). This new category rates the best colleges in the U.S. to have a great experience while attending. This ranking is powered by one of the largest ever independent surveys of verified college students and recent graduates in the United States. Niche recognizes ORU as one of the top 25 most diverse colleges in America, # 1 best Christian college in Oklahoma, and # 1 in Oklahoma for diversity. Princeton Review ranked ORU as the best regional college, and College Raptor ranked ORU as a Hidden Gem in the Southwest.
ORU has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as:
- #1 in Undergraduate Teaching
- #2 in Most International Students
- #3 in Best Value
- #6 in Best College for Veterans
- #7 in Best Regional Colleges in the West
For more information, visit www.oru.edu.