Above: The Robert Haskins School of Christian Ministry Class of 2022

DEL CITY—On Aug. 13, the Robert Haskins School of Christian Ministry, also known as the Haskins School, celebrated its 2022 graduating class and also honored longtime Oklahoma Baptist leader Robert Haskins.

Todd Fisher, left, presents Robert Haskins the inaugural honorary shepherd’s staff.

At a ceremony at Del City, First, Southern, 18 Haskins School students, who are adults working in various ministry contexts from around the state, received their diplomas and certificates in pastoral and church ministry.

During the previous six years, more than 200 students have been able to take classes and receive high quality, practical, contextualized ministry training through one of five programs.

Oklahoma Baptists’ Hispanic Ministry Partner Ever Borunda, who serves as dean of the Haskins School said, “There is a great need in our convention to train existing and prospective leaders to help them minister in many of our smaller in attendance, ethnic and bi-vocational churches. That has been the vision and the goal of our School.”

That vision— to help ethnic and bi-vocational pastors not only survive but thrive in their particular ministries—is the continuation of a vision shared by former Oklahoma Baptists senior associate executive director and the school’s namesake, Robert Haskins.

During the graduation ceremony, Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Fisher, presented Haskins with the inaugural honorary shepherd’s staff. This honorary shepherd’s staff represented the collective appreciation of Oklahoma Baptists to one special individual who has been a champion for bi-vocational, ethnic and small churches.

“One of the great ministries of Oklahoma Baptists,” Fisher said, “is the Haskins School of Christian Ministry which provides theological and ministry training to men and women serving particularly in multi-vocational or layperson roles in our smaller in attendance and ethnic churches.

“It is a privilege to present the first of what will become an annual honorary shepherd’s staff given to a person dedicated to serving smaller and ethnic churches in our state. It was fitting to give this award to the school’s namesake, Dr. Robert Haskins, who tirelessly served our state convention many years championing all Oklahoma Baptist churches.”

James R. Nowlin received the diploma in advanced pastoral ministry. Receiving the diploma in pastoral ministry were Cole Bryce, Jacob Fullbright, Dale Hamm, Adam Hiett, Jared Luke Jackson, Garry C. Leach, Jesus Garay Martinez, James Lee Pathkiller, Chase Rosado and John Ralph Webb.

Amanda Bryson and Blanca Estela Hinojos received the diploma in church ministry, and Eudomar J. Rivera Mendez received the certificate in pastoral ministry. Danielle Wilson received the certificate in church ministry, and Donnie Jackson and Matthew D. Stouffer received the general Christian studies certificate.

The Haskins School offers certificates and diplomas in church ministry, pastoral ministry and now a new diploma in evangelism and missions. For more information, visit haskinsschool.org or call at 405/942-3800.