Who We Are

Vision

Ouachita Baptist University seeks to foster a love of God and a love of learning by creating for students and other constituents dynamic growth opportunities both on campus and throughout the world. With foresight and faithfulness, Ouachita makes a difference.

Mission

Ouachita Baptist University is a Christ-centered learning community. Embracing the liberal arts tradition, the university prepares individuals for ongoing intellectual and spiritual growth, lives of meaningful work, and reasoned engagement with the world.

Values

Ouachita strives to be an academic community of vision, integrity, and service grounded in the following values:

Faith. We believe that life is lived most abundantly in response to the love of God through Jesus Christ.

Scholarship. We advance excellence in teaching, learning, research, and creative expression.

Growth. We foster broad-based education, encouraging growth in intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social domains.

Character. We affirm that respect and honesty undergird responsible citizenship and stewardship.

Community. We promote a vibrant community strengthened by diversity, sustained by common aims and supportive relationships, and committed to leadership and service on campus and beyond.

Statement of Faith

Ouachita Baptist University’s Statement of Faith reflects sincerely held beliefs grounded in the solid foundation of Holy Scripture, which is fully inspired by God, and thus true and authoritative. It also reflects orthodox beliefs held by the Christian church since the first century and is consistent with Ouachita’s Arkansas Baptist State Convention affiliation.

God and Creation

There is one true and living God in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – who created all things by His spoken word and declared His creation good. He made all people in His own image, both male and female, so they might enjoy their creator, live in community with others, and steward God’s good creation, all to the glory of God.

Human Sin and God’s Love

Tragically, Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s goodness and love, introducing sin and death into the world. All generations have repeated this pattern of sin in thought, word, and deed. God, though, is merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in love. He declared that a descendent of Eve would one day reverse the effects of sin and death. God continued to reveal the good news of this salvation plan through His covenants with Abraham, Moses, and David, promising to bless all the nations of the world through a royal descendant of David.

Jesus and Salvation

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord, who is a descendant of Abraham and David. He was born of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit – fully God and fully human. Jesus proclaimed the arrival of God’s Kingdom through His ministry and perfect obedience to the Father, His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins, and His bodily resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven. All those who turn from sin and believe Jesus is Lord experience forgiveness by grace through faith and are adopted into the family of God. This is the Gospel, the good news of God, who loves us and has reconciled us with Himself, defeating evil, and breaking the curse of sin and death.

The Holy Spirit

God sent His Holy Spirit, who dwells in all those who believe in Jesus, creates in us a new heart, and includes us in the meaningful work of redemption. The Spirit guides and empowers all believers to proclaim His Kingdom in word and action, to make disciples among all the nations of the world, and to live in fellowship with one another.

New Creation and Christian Life

Jesus will come again to bring about fully the new creation, when sin and death will be defeated and when all evil will be judged by Him. As we await his return, God’s holy and redeemed people in Jesus – the church – are called to love Him and others, to follow Him in discipleship in a local congregation, and to develop by His Spirit a life of Christian character that includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Our Statement of Faith is drawn from the entirety of the Bible. Below is a selection of key passages:

Genesis 1:1–3:24; 12:1-3; Deuteronomy 30:1-6; 2 Samuel 7:1-29; Psalm 1:1-6; 2:1-12; 8:1-9; 19:1-14; 22:1-31; 89:1-52; 103:1-22; 110:1-7; 118:1-29; 139:1-24; Isaiah 7:14; 49:1-7; 52:13–53:12; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 34:1–37:28; Joel 2:28-32; Amos 9:11-12; Micah 5:2; 6:6-8; Zechariah 9:9-13; Matthew 16:13-16; 19:1-9; 28:16-20; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 1:26- 56; John 3:16-17; Acts 1:1–2:47; 15:1-29; Romans 1:1-6; 3:21-31; 5:1-21; 1 Corinthians 15:1-58; Galatians 3:10-14, 26-29; 5:13-26; Ephesians 1:1–2:22; 4:17–5:33; Philippians 2:6-11; 3:20-21; Colossians 3:1-14; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-4; 10:19-25; 2 Peter 1:3-11, 21; 1 John 1:5-10; Revelation 7:9-12; 21:1–22:21.