Ozark Christian College
The information on this page was last updated 3/16/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Contact information
Mailing address:
Ozark Christian College
1111 N Main St
Joplin, MO 64801
Website: occ.edu
Phone: (417) 626-1234
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 446005108
CEO/President: CHAD RAGSDALE
Chairman: Dr. Robert Arnce
Board size: 14
Founder:
Ruling year: 1951
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end:
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1988
Purpose
The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education. Emphasis is given to vocational preparation for preaching ministers, missionaries, worship ministers, youth ministers and children's ministers. Biblical and practical training is also provided for those who will serve in the church in non-vocational roles such as elders, deacons, Bible school teachers and youth sponsors.
Mission statement
Ozark Christian College seeks to glorify God by doing his will. God's truth we must "entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2). We are involved in declaring the wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:7-12). We share in the work of equipping "the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ...speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into him, who is the head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4:12,13,15)
Statement of faith
Ozark Christian College has its roots in the Stone-Campbell heritage (Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ) that began in the United States in the early 19th century. This heritage seeks the unity of all Christians based on the authority of the Bible for the evangelization of the world. OCC recognizes that creeds and confessions of faith have at times been more divisive than unifying, but in light of its commitment to Scripture, OCC believes that agreement on certain matters of the faith is essential to carry out its mission. Therefore to avoid any misunderstanding or misinterpretation, the following statements are given and all trustees, administrators, and faculty affirm their unqualified acceptance of the following:
GOD: There is one, holy God who eternally exists in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God created all things visible and invisible. God is perfect in wisdom, power, and love, knowing all things past, present, and future, and his sovereign plan of redemption was set in place before the foundation of the world. (Gen 1:1-2, Dt. 6:4, Heb 11:3, Eph 1:9-10; Rev 13:8)
JESUS: Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son, born of a virgin, fully divine and fully human, and our Savior and Lord. Jesus, who was without sin, died in our place as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins, bearing divine wrath, and reconciling to God all who trust in him. Jesus was bodily resurrected in victory over sin and death. He ascended to the right hand of the Father where he presently reigns as our king, high priest, and advocate until his glorious return. (John 3:16, Col 1:15; 2:9-15; 1 Cor 15:3-8, 20-28; 2 Cor 5:18-21; Heb 4:14-15)
HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit is fully divine and active in the church and the world. The Holy Spirit draws all people to Christ by illuminating the gospel and convicting of sin. The Holy Spirit dwells in the life of a believer to transform, guide, assure, and empower living a fruitful Christian life. (John 16:8-11; Acts 2:38; 2 Cor 3:17-18; Gal 3:2)
BIBLE: God is revealed in the Bible, the uniquely inspired written Word of God and infallible in all that it affirms. The Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21)
HUMANITY: God creates all humans, male and female, in his image, and therefore all people have intrinsic value and purpose. By the sin of the first man and woman (Adam and Eve), death entered the world. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, alienated from God and without hope apart from the blood of Jesus Christ. (Gen 1:26-27; Gen 3; Rom 3:23; Eph 2:1-3)
SALVATION: Salvation can be found in Christ alone and is offered to all by grace through faith. A living faith is demonstrated through repentance, confession, baptism by immersion, and a life of obedience. (Rom 3:23; 5:12, Acts 2:38, Gal 3:26-29; Eph 2:4-10)
CHURCH: The church is the body of Christ on earth, with Christ as the head. God's church is comprised of a priesthood of all believers, serving as minister of the gospel according to the gifts which God has given them. Together the church is called to make disciples of all nations until Christ returns. (Matt 28:18-20; Eph 3:10; 4:11-13; Col 1:18; 1 Pet 2:9-10)
RETURN OF CHRIST: Christ will visibly return to restore creation and judge the world. There will be a bodily resurrection for the believers to eternal life with God in heaven and for the unbelievers to eternal judgment in hell. In heaven, sin will be no more and those in Christ will live in fellowship with God forever. (Acts 1:11; 2 Thess 1:5-12; 1 Thess 4:13-18; Rev 20:11-15)
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
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Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
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The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 3/16/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Located on a spacious 60-acre campus in the city of Joplin in southwest Missouri, Ozark Christian College is not far from Kansas City, Fayetteville, Branson, and Tulsa. Founded as Ozark Bible College in 1942, Ozark began with only 16 students.
Today, over 15,000 students and over 75 years later, OCC continues to train men and women for Christian service. In fact, over 90% of our graduates enter vocational or volunteer ministry.
OCC's high academic caliber is thanks to exceptional, field-tested professors. Online students also receive the same outstanding Bible and ministry training while they serve off campus. With over 50 required hours of Bible classes, Ozark students are grounded in the knowledge and practice of Scripture.
Ozark athletics holds several national and regional championships among our five varsity sports teams. Intramural sports, too, let all students compete and have fun. Ozark's arts programs offer opportunities for music, drama and more, and our close proximity to more than a dozen parachurch organizations like Christ In Youth, Good News Productions, and Rapha International gives students a chance to learn from even more kingdom leaders.
Ozark's affordability is a real advantage for students. Generous donors and competitive scholarships and grants help keep student costs low. 95% of OCC students receive scholarships and financial aid.
Since 1942, our mission has remained the same: we train men and women for Christian service. Many people want to serve God and make a difference with their lives, but they aren't sure where to start. At Ozark Christian College, we help students discover the kingdom assignment that God has for them, and we help prepare them for whatever that is.