70 Days of Power Launched at First Chapel

At "First Chapel" on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, President Leslie Pollard conducted a service with a two-fold purpose: 1) to dedicate the new school year to God, and 2) to renew institutional commitment to the OU mission within our administrative, faculty, staff and student body.

The theme of this extended chapel service was "God First." Dr. Tim McDonald, Provost, led the processional with the University Mace, followed by the President, Vice President, Assistant Vice Presidents, the University Faculty (dressed in full academic regalia) and the OU Staff (dressed smartly in black or dark blue). Oakwood Adventist Academy and Elementary School students were also present for the program, and participated in a special prayer litany that had been written for each of our Administrators, Faculty, Staff and Students.

The service also launched "70 Days of Power," an initiative designed to engulf our campus in deep prayer for:

1. For the salvation of every lost student on the OU campus;
2. For the recovery of holistic education on the OU campus, which includes bringing back a base industry to complete the training of head, heart, and hand at Oakwood University;
3. For the unprecedented inflow of donor philanthropy to advance Oakwood's capital and building needs. Buildings needed are a Performing Arts Center, Health and Wholeness Center, and on-campus Residence Hall facilities. We want to be less dependent on tuition and more supported by other revenue streams.

The entire community is invited to participate in the greatest God-seeking event in Oakwood's history. Using the Pollard devotional "Loving Leadership," which emphasizes how agape love flows from believers in powerful service, as a guide, for 70 days (August 24 to November 1, 2011), the campus is seeking tangible manifestations of God's presence and power.

A page has been created on Facebook ( 70 Days), where daily application exercises can be completed on the topic of Loving Leadership. Fasting on Mondays from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and praying at the top of every hour (for our three (3) Points of Prayer) has begun. 1 Corinthians 13 is being used in OU Departmental Worships and in prayer partner discussion, and faculty are encouraged to read from the Loving Leadership devotional in their classes as well.

God is moving already!!! Immediately after the First Chapel service, the President's Office received a surprise call from the president of Dr. Phil McGraw's Charitable Foundation. Dr. Phil had recently interviewed a 16-year-old who at one time weighed 500 pounds, but has lost 250 pounds. During the interview, Dr. Phil asked the young man what he would like to do with his life. He replied that he would like to go to college. When Dr. Phil asked, "Which college would you like to go to?" the young man replied "Oakwood."

Having never heard of Oakwood, the young man's reference to Oakwood led the foundation president to "Google" Oakwood, visit our website, and call immediately. President Pollard spent 30 minutes talking to him and the vice-president of the multimillion dollar foundation about Oakwood, and about Oakwood's God. They were then invited to visit our campus. They promised to come ASAP.

Stay tuned and welcome to the 70 Days of Power!!!