THE OAKS SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP EXISTS to train

leaders for ministry, both here at The Oaks Fellowship,

and for churches and ministries around the world. The

heartbeat of this program is to develop a generation

of leaders who understand their kingdom purposes

and live to see those God-given purposes realized

in their lives. To that end, we provide our students

the opportunity to engage in a process of growth,

development, and discovery. This process

includes thorough academic training, personal

and corporate discipleship, and relevant hands-

on ministry experience.

THE OAKS SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP

within Southwestern Assemblies of God

University allows students to be trained at

the highest level and prepared for a life

of Kingdom building. God has a purpose

and plan for your life. We are looking for

students who are not willing to delay those

purposes for another day, but are eager

to take hold of the opportunities God has placed before

them today. If this is the desire of your heart, then The Oaks School

of Leadership may be the right place for you. Thanks for taking the

time to consider this program. I hope the information that follows is

helpful. I am praying God’s best for you…and remember, for those

who prepare well, amazing things will follow—Joshua 3:5.

– Chris Railey, Director

Through our strategic

partnership with Southwestern

Assemblies of God University,

students are enrolled in fully

accredited courses as part of

a Bachelor of Arts in Church

Ministries.

Students enter into a

personalized discipleship

process that challenges them

to become fully devoted

followers of Christ. Emphasis

is placed on spiritual maturity,

high accountability, and growth

in community.

Working alongside world-class

leaders and artists in

day-to-day ministry provides

the opportunity for students

to connect their classroom

education with practical

experience.

“The partnership between Southwestern Assemblies of God University and The Oaks School of Leadership has been

outstanding from its beginning. Quality students from all over the country are able to take part of the best of two worlds; hands

on ministry training and quality, accredited education. OSL students have enhanced the university with their energy

and zeal for ministry. They have proven to be excellent students, benefiting from the training and teaching of qualified

faculty members as well as dedicated OSL and Oaks Fellowship staff. Great things are in store for students who choose

to begin their college career at The Oaks School of Leadership.”

– Eddie Davis, SAGU Vice-President for Enrollment and Retention

The Oaks School of Leadership holds a high standard

of academic excellence. OSL students are challenged

to earn a 3.0 or higher GPA each semester. In addition,

students receive relevant instruction provided by

current pastors with advanced degrees. This allows

students to receive classroom knowledge of biblical

and ministry principles and observe the successful

implementation of the principles taught in the

classroom.

“I was really impressed with the quality of The Oaks School of Leadership students that I had in the classroom! They were bright, gifted, hard-working and incredibly passionate about the Lord’s work. They’re going to be effective in ministry!”

– Dr. LeRoy Bartel, Dean of College of Bible and Church Ministries

After completing two years at OSL, students will have

earned 48 hours toward their Bachelors of Arts in

Church Ministries. Each semester, students select three

courses from the following list and receive 3 hours of

credit for their internship.

• Leadership Development I

• Leadership Development II

• Comp & Rhetoric I

• Comp & Rhetoric II

• Old Testament Literature

• New Testament Literature

• Public Speaking for Ministry

• Bible Study

• Authentic Christianity

• Introduction to Theology and Apologetics

• Foundations of Church Ministries

• Hermeneutics

• The Mission of the Church

• Introduction to Psychology

• Biblical Preaching

• Pentecostal Doctrine and History

The Oaks School of Leadership joins SAGU’s 1,900

students on 70 acres with many amenities, such as

Sheaffer Full Life Center, Barnes Student Center, and the

Student Wellness Center opening in Fall 2009. SAGU’s

high-quality faculty have years of experience in their

respective fields with 60% holding doctoral degrees.

SAGU is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of

the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to

award Master, Bachelor and Associate degrees.

REFLECT ON YOUR JOURNEY

To know where you are going, you need to

know where you have been. Reflecting on

your spiritual journey is an integral part of the

growth process.

DETERMINE YOUR PRESENT LOCATION

A clear assessment of where you are now in

your spiritual formation will be a catalyst for

the precise planning of future goals.

CHOOSE YOUR TARGET

Identifying areas of your life that need work

and intentionally setting growth goals will

enhance your relationship with Christ and

prepare you for a life of kingdom building.

CHART YOUR COURSE

To achieve any goal, you have to form a plan

of action. It is important to establish specific

strategies as a plan for achieving individual

growth goals.

SET YOUR BOUNDARIES

Spiritual growth happens best in the context

of community when others are invited to

partner in the process, creating strong

accountability.

EVALUATE YOUR PROGRESS

To realize growth goals, there must be

continual evaluation along the way to ensure

the path is still leading in the right direction.

PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP

Live a life that reflects the growth that has

taken place, and as your journey continues,

repeat these steps and assist others with their

spiritual growth.

The Oaks School of Leadership trains students for a

life in ministry, helping others to become fully devoted

followers of Christ. Each student is developed through:

• Personality and Spiritual Gift Inventories

• Personalized Growth Plans

• One-On-One Meetings with Staff

• Student Life Groups

• Group Discipleship Opportunities

“The Oaks School of Leadership is eager for innovation, open to creativity, and a leader in developing future pastors.”

– Leonard Sweet, author of The Gospel According to Starbucks

A high impact, leadership-intensive environment

provides the backdrop for students to be infused with

the knowledge and experience required for ministry.

Internships at the School of Leadership allow students

to develop relationship and be trained, mentored and

equipped by the most influential leaders in the world in

a ministry of their choosing. This gives the opportunity

for students to connect their classroom education

with real life experience in order to foster a sense of

commitment, excellence, and discipline in ministry.

“Students at The Oaks School of Leadership are fully committed to the Lord and we are honored to be a part of helping them passionately follow after him.”

– Shane Barnard of Shane and Shane

SHAYNE WALTERS

Student Ministries Pastor

Shayne Walters serves as pastor of Seven

Student Ministries. Shayne has a wide

range of experience, which includes

student ministries pastor, executive pastor,

and church planter. Shayne’s passions

lie in developing next generation leaders

that will become culturally relevant in a

post-modern, post-Christian world through

engaging culture, stirring change, and

releasing leaders to follow Christ to their

fullest.

BRIAN ABBOTT

Creative Arts Pastor

Brian Abbott is driven by a passion for

communicating the Gospel of Christ

in culturally relevant ways through all

available methods. He brings years of

experience to the table having worked

in the broadcast, advertising and film

industries since 1985. His work on many

regional and national campaigns and

television programs has been recognized

industry-wide and earned many awards

including a nomination for Best Editor at

the International Monitor Awards.

KIDSService Planning/Discipleship/Developing Leaders

STUDENTSService Planning/Discipleship/Events

YOUNG ADULTSEvent Planning/Discipleship/Leading Teams

PASTORALGrowth Groups/Pastoral Care/Assimilation

WORSHIPSong-writing/Worship Leading/Individual Lessons

CREATIVE ARTSTechnical Production/Creating Experiences

MISSIONSGlobal/Local/Outreach Projects

EVANGELISMTravel/Preaching/City Outreach

With a desire to train the future worship leaders and

songwriters, Shane Barnard and Shane Everett (Shane

and Shane) have joined The Oaks School of Leadership

with a passion to raise up leaders in the worship music

community. They bring over twelve years of experience

as recording artists, worship leaders, and songwriters.

Shane and Shane are recognized for their genuine

approach to worship and their passionate lyrics filled

with the heart of God.

“If you are an aspiring worship leader and you want to be trained by a couple of the best, give The Oaks School of Leadership a look.”

– Mac Powell of Third Day

The Oaks Fellowship worship leader, Clayton Brooks,

leads the dynamic worship internship for The Oaks

School of Leadership. Working on the team with

Clayton are worship artists Kristi Northup and Shane

and Shane. This high-caliber team is committed to the

investment, development and training of the worship

leaders of the future. From song-writing and individual

lessons to leading worship, OSL students are trained

in the art of leading God’s people into His presence

through reverence and excellence.

The Oaks School of Leadership students live on

campus at Southwestern Assemblies of God University

in Collins Hall and have access to all the amenities

the campus has to offer. Dining at the food court offers

a variety of choices, including a salad bar, pizza

and pasta bar, homemade waffles, and so much

more. Students also have the option of lounging at

an on-campus coffee house and shopping at an

on-campus convenience store.

A game room and theater room provides entertainment

opportunities for students to enjoy without leaving

campus, and an extensive library is available with

online resources. OSL students have the opportunity

to enjoy the whole package of college life.

In the fall of 2009 SAGU will celebrate the addition of

the new Wellness Center. The center will be a state of

the art workout and recreational facility providing a

variety of fitness and recreation amenities including

weight and aerobic training, an elevated walking/

jogging track, racquetball courts, multipurpose

gymnasium, swimming pool, sauna, and locker rooms

with showers. Our students are encouraged to maintain

healthy lifestyle habits for the purpose of enabling

long, faithful service unto God. The Wellness Center

will be instrumental in promoting healthy living in the

Godly leaders of tomorrow.

“OSL students are fully integrated into life at SAGU. From basketball, a fully equipped weight room, sand volleyball, and intramural sports, to clubs and SAGU Live, there is never a dull moment”

– Lawrence Lowe, OSL student 2008-2009

JOHN DAVIDSONSpiritual Formation Director

Hidden talent: Can outrun a gazelle

CHRIS RAILEYDirector of the Oaks School of Leadership

Wrestling Nickname: The Lumberjack

BRANDON PARDEKOOPERCommunity Life Director

Pet Peeve: That itchy feeling after a haircut

CARA RAILEYAcademic Director

Irrational Fear: Balloons

SCOTT WILSONSenior Pastor

Favorite drink at Starbucks: Venti Non-fat Latte

The Oaks Fellowship is a fast-growing church with a

passion and calling to raise up the next generation of

Christian leaders for the advancement of the kingdom

worldwide. With a new vision for planting churches

and video-venue campuses, the church is excited about

the students of The Oaks School of Leadership—the

Christian leaders of tomorrow—who undergird the

many ministries of The Oaks Fellowship, serving more

than 3,000 people on 3 different campuses. Its rich

history spanning over 80 years of outreach, leadership

development, and community evangelism makes The

Oaks Fellowship an ideal environment for students to

learn a ministry approach with excellence, compassion

and commitment.

The Oaks School of Leadership was founded by leaders

of the church on the ideal that people of great talent,

great calling, and great passion must be developed for

the greatest work on earth: to bring glory to the name

of Jesus Christ in every nation, city, and community. If

that vision inspires you at the core of your being, then

you may be someone we are looking for.

Southwestern Assemblies of God University