“Spontaneous leadership”—it’s what Oral Roberts University (ORU) sophomore Malick
Katalika describes as the ability to respond to whatever God calls you to do. At
ORU, this is how Malick is being prepared to lead. Malick’s heart for leadership and
evangelism traces back to his family’s story. His grandfather had a radical encounter
with God that transformed the family line.
“Ever since, my parents, my brothers, my whole family have been passionate to serve
the Lord. When I gave my life to Christ, the Lord began showing me visions of the
Middle East. That burden has never left.”
Though just 19, Malick’s vision is already global. He’s applying for an internship
in Dubai, pursuing connections in Israel and the Middle East, and preparing to speak
at the Pulse Evangelism Conference.
Missions: Tanzania and Beyond
This summer, Malick traveled to Tanzania with ORU Missions, another step toward leadership.
The team ministered in villages where the Gospel needed to be preached. “The Lord
showed up powerfully,” Malick said. “We were trained so well before going, and the
experience stretched me as a leader.” This is where Malick discovered what he calls
“spontaneous leadership.”
“On the mission field, anything can happen. You have to be ready. Sometimes there’s
no set order—you just step up and preach or serve where needed. That kind of leadership
has shaped me deeply.”
“On the mission field, anything can happen. You have to be ready. Sometimes there’s
no set order—you just step up and preach or serve where needed. That kind of leadership
has shaped me deeply.”
Malick Katalika
Malick on an ORU Mission trip in Tanzania
Building Local Community
Even when he’s not overseas, Malick finds ways to lead and build community. He co-leads
Run With Christ Tulsa, a chapter of the growing international run club movement. “We meet at a coffee shop,
run a 5K together, and then share a devotional. Running is a form of deliberate suffering—it
brings people together even better and opens doors for conversations about faith.”
On campus, Malick is also a leader with Carry the Love intercession group and Prayer Movement. As a leader, prayer isn’t optional to Malick. “Prayer is the mission. If you send
a team to the mission field without prayer, you’re better off not going. Jesus prayed—why
wouldn’t we?”
Malick and the Run with Christ Tulsa team
We meet at a coffee shop, run a 5K together, and then share a devotional. Running
is a form of deliberate suffering—it brings people together even better and opens
doors for conversations about faith.”
Malick Katalika
A Life of Obedience
Part of spontaneous leadership, according to Malick, is obedience to Christ. “It’s
not optional—it’s everything. The call of Christ is uncomfortable. But the beauty
of being uncomfortable is knowing God is right there with you, step in step. That’s
the reward.”
Accountability is another leadership quality that Malick prioritizes. From his roommates
to his friend group, Malick surrounds himself with people who know him well. “There’s
not an app on my phone or a place I go that someone doesn’t know about. I’ve seen
leaders fall because they lacked accountability, and I don’t want compromise in my
story.”
Through obedience and accountability, Malik is growing as a spontaneous leader. He
says this growth is important to what’s burning in his heart. “I’m going to boldly
preach the Gospel for the rest of my life. In living rooms, in underground churches,
or in nations across the world—wherever He sends me.”
Nationally Ranked, Globally Recognized
ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma,
with 17 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 174 nations in the last 6 years to be whole leaders
for the whole world.
