Dr. Stephen Babby is this year’s recipient of the Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OKWU) President’s Award. He is being recognized for his voice of wisdom and biblical faithfulness on the OKWU board, which he has served on for 41 years.
Ordained by The Wesleyan Church in 1970, Babby has also been a leader in the denomination for decades. He served as an assistant pastor for Skyline Wesleyan Church in La Mesa, California, and then, from 1976 until his 2015 retirement, as district superintendent of the Pacific Southwest District of The Wesleyan Church. He has also been a member of The Wesleyan Church General Board, the Wesleyan Pension Fund, the board of ministerial standing and held many other roles.
“It’s our honor to thank Steve for his loyalty, partnership and belief in OKWU and its mission,” said Dr. Everett Piper, president of OKWU. “I know of no one who is more determined to defend the primacy of Jesus Christ, the priority of Scripture, the pursuit of truth and the practice of wisdom than he. Steve’s life exemplifies this mission, and his legacy is a textbook example to our students. Dr. Babby is passionate about the global church. He has given his entire professional life to building it and expanding it. He has been instrumental in the establishment of numerous multicultural ministries and new mission fields both in the United States and elsewhere. He has been part of the leadership team of this university for almost half a century! But perhaps most admirable is Steve’s passion for his pastors and all others under his guidance and care. No one has ever taken better care of the ‘flock’ under his charge better than Dr. Babby.”
Babby was honored at this year’s Foster Bonanza on October 11 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He and his wife, Barbara, have been married for 50 years and have two daughters, Robin and Laurel.
