Ryan Fisher
Ryan Fisher is a future shaper.
OBU graduate Ryan Fisher earned a Bachelor of Arts in sports and recreation with a sports and recreation management emphasis in 2020. He now serves as director of Almighty Sports, a ministry of First Baptist Church, Broken Arrow. Fisher went on to earn his Master of Arts in Christian Studies with an emphasis in leadership at OBU.
Almighty Sports is a vital outreach ministry designed to provide Broken Arrow and the surrounding communities with sports and recreation programs that serve families and youth. As director, Fisher is responsible for coordinating all youth sports including flag football, soccer, basketball, cheer, gymnastics and iKamp. He also recruits and trains coaches; facilitates all scheduling of games, practices, and facility/field use; oversees marketing; manages the budget; orders uniforms and equipment; and facilitates registration, risk management, safety protocols and use of recreational facilities.
Fisher attended high school in Bethany, Oklahoma, and came to OBU not sure of what he wanted to pursue as a major. During his freshman year, the area of sports and recreation became a strong area of career interest. Meaningful courses such as leadership in sports and recreation; introduction to sports ministry; and organization and administration continued to confirm his area of study. Opportunities to intern during the summer at churches in both Oklahoma and Texas, and to participate in an OBU sports ministry GO trip to Ukraine were meaningful experiences that further inspired Ryan in his journey.
“The summer opportunities to serve in various capacities were very rewarding to me,” Fisher said. “I was able to use my God-given talents and work in a way that I feel passionate about. It opened up my framework to see all the lives that can be impacted through sports ministry. This work is perfect for how the Lord has wired me.
“In the classroom and on campus, the personal relationships and attention that my professors offered me were such great benefits. In addition to all the required courses for my major, the opportunity to take courses in biblical literacy and other Bible classes as electives was an added layer of knowledge. The experiences and hands-on opportunities definitely prepared me in key areas for what I am doing today. I am now serving as a leader, making decisions, training others, engaging with our church family, and serving families and youth in our community within the framework of ministry. OBU set the stage for that.
“Most of all, it is incredibly rewarding to know I am part of a ministry that has the opportunity to make disciples through sports. This is a platform that encourages the next steps of students growing in their faith and empowering them through the power of the gospel.”