Ockenga

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About Ockenga


Purpose

You don't need to be a full-time seminary student to utilize the educational resources of a seminary. The Harold John Ockenga Institute serves as a bridge for all types of students to the rich educational opportunities of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Through its various initiatives, the Institute is expanding the ministry of the seminary beyond its walls and around the globe.

Consistent with the central vision of Dr. Harold John Ockenga, a founder and the first president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, the Institute exists to equip the Church for renewal, global outreach and cultural transformation by extending the vision and capabilities of Gordon-Conwell through multi-faceted educational resources.

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Pronunciation

The word "Ockenga" is pronounced "Ock - in - gay" and is the last name of the founding president of Gordon-Conwell, Dr. Harold John Ockenga.

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Centers

Shoemaker Center for Church Renewal - Challenging minds and hearts. The Shoemaker Center for Church Renewal makes available educational resources of Gordon-Conwell and the larger evangelical community for pastors, lay leaders and churches for the purpose of encouraging personal and corporate renewal. These resources are offered in a variety of ways, including conferences, sabbaticals, distance education, curriculum and audio recordings.

Semlink - Distance education no longer means education at a disadvantage. Semlink provides top quality theological education at a distance, allowing students to study at their own pace and convenience. Courses consist of audio or video lectures, a study guide, and Semlink Online - a companion website that provides resources for formation and interaction.

Center for the Study of Global Christianity - Christianity from a global perspective. The Center for the Study of Global Christianity collates and analyzes data on church membership and evangelistic activities collected around the world by Christian denominations. Combining this with other relevant data, the center provides an authoritative view of global Christianity available to various constituents for research and strategic planning.

Center for Preaching - Powerful truth must be communicated powerfully. The Center for Preaching endeavors to equip men and women with preaching skills for communication to a world in desperate need of biblical truth. A team of preachers is utilized to teach these skills through various means including sermon evaluations, an audio journal and a biennial preaching conference.

Wilson Center for World Missions - Global mission, global vision. The J Christy Wilson, Jr. Center for World Missions assists the Church in fulfilling its mission mandate by fostering a global mindset among the Gordon-Conwell community. The center provides a range of practical mission-focused educational initiatives including cross-cultural immersion trips, overseas teaching opportunities, multi-cultural forums and a scholar in residence program.

Ministry Center for Christian Youth - Immersed for a month. Mentored for three years. Changed for a lifetime. The Ministry Center for Christian Youth seeks to partner with churches across the country as they identify, mentor and equip future leaders, challenging them to think biblically, serve humbly and lead courageously. This process includes Real Ministry Immersion, a month-long ministry experience for rising high school seniors.

Mockler Center for Faith and Ethics in the Workplace - Ministry for daily life. The Mockler Center for Faith and Ethics in the Workplace equips the Church and its members to bring the work of Christ into the activities of daily life, especially life in the workplace. Through education, direct ministry and research, the center brings the resources of biblical interpretation, Christian theology, Christian ethics and practical ministry into the working world.

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Location

The Harold John Ockenga Institute is based at the South Hamilton, MA campus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. The majority of the Institute's offices are located on the third floor of the Academic Center. Feel free to stop by the office and visit anytime!

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Contact Information

Email: ockenga@gcts.edu
Phone: 1.800.294.2774
Mail: Ockenga Institute, 130 Essex Street, South Hamilton, MA 01982

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Dr. Harold John Ockenga

For nearly half a century, Harold John Ockenga’s name was virtually synonymous with that of evangelicalism as he voiced its concerns and convictions and provided leadership for nearly every one of its institutions: serving as founder and first president of the National Association of Evangelicals for United Action; as president of the American Board of the World Evangelical Fellowship; as president, co-founder and later Chairman of the Board of Fuller Theological Seminary; as Chairman of the Board of Christianity Today; as a director of the Christian Freedom Foundation; as a member of the board of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; as editor of the Evangelical Book Club; as chair of the National Association of Evangelicals’ International Commission; and as the founding president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

In addition to these tasks, he found time to write some fifteen books and scores of articles, to produce over one hundred archival boxes of letters, journals, date books, and memorabilia, to produce nearly three thousand manuscript sermons and addresses and to leave a legacy of active ministry around the world. (written by Dr. Garth Rosell)

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