Brock Brown pursues his calling as an OBU Musical Arts major.

A song in his heart. A melody in his mind.

These characteristics flow in a rhythmic pattern for musical arts major Brock Brown. The OBU senior has found his vocational calling and path to ministry and purpose through the University’s Division of Music.

As early as the age of four, Brown remembers having a love for singing. Through years of choir and vocal performance, his tenor voice has grown as a meaningful instrument. He is now sharing his strong and mature voice through performances in OBU’s University Chorale and in special concerts on campus and in the community. He is the director of OBU’s Gospel Choir and also serves as the music director for Union Missionary Baptist Church in Shawnee.

Brown first heard about OBU while a student at Westmoore High School in Oklahoma City. A student teacher and a junior high choir teacher of his were Bison alumni who made an impression on Brown. At the same time, his choral experiences in high school continued to reinforce his interest in music. He was selected to Oklahoma’s All State Choir for all four years of high school and was also selected multiple years to perform in the Mixed All State Choir and the State Jazz Ensemble.

During his early school years Brown sensed a special leaning towards ministry. He always loved church and studying the Bible. In that pursuit, he shadowed his pastor for a time to gain more understanding of ministry. For Brown, the decision of ministry was yet to be confirmed in his heart as he continued to ponder questions in his mind and before the Lord.

As a junior in high school, Brown came to OBU for a campus tour where he recalls sitting in a mock class as part of the day’s tour. Dr. David Gambo, a professor from the Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry, was his teacher in the course that day.

Brown said, “I specifically remember that all the questions in my mind were answered through Dr. Gambo’s teaching…each and every one of them. On that day, my vocational calling to ministry was confirmed. I also knew then that OBU was my choice for college.”

“I have benefited so much as a student here. In addition to the rigorous core classes and my entire education, the music program is comprehensive and cumulative in nature. I continue to learn as each concept builds on the next. I have seen my knowledge, experience and understanding deepen and expand greatly. It’s like a snowball effect,” Brown said.

Life on Bison Hill is busy for Brown. He has served as president of OBU’s Black Student Union since his sophomore year, a role he fulfills with great passion.

“I am grateful for the opportunity I have to contribute to a healthy environment of kingdom diversity on campus. Our organization has played a vital role in helping to create awareness of Black culture to our students, faculty and staff. This has been accomplished through hosting campus events and specific emphases, speakers, celebrations and the addition of a vice-president for University Culture on the executive cabinet,” he said. “OBU has taught me the value of serving others and making a difference. I have grown in the realm of servant leadership. And, as I think of the meaning of a future shaper, I think about being an agent of change. It means being an instrument that shape’s someone else’s life for the better.”

Brown merits the distinctly Christian education, caring professors and godly mentors at OBU for helping his faith grow while being a student.

“I have experienced a lot of life during these college years,” Brown said. “Of most significance was the loss of my father and the grief and reflection that accompanies that. I questioned, prayed, contemplated about death and the thought of eternal life. Through my philosophy course and the influence of my professors and OBU student ministry director Dr. Matt Kearns, I moved closer to God and deeper in my faith. I also gave myself the gift of time and grace in the process.”

Looking to the future, Brown has hopes to attend seminary after graduation. In making decisions, Brown said, “It is important to ‘be still and know that God is God.’ I must listen for His guidance, in His time, or I might miss what He is directing me to do.”

The lyrics and stanzas of Brown’s life are being sovereignly written by the Master Composer.  And through the sounds of that melody, Brown is pleased to use his voice and life to glorify God to fulfill his personal ministry calling.