For immediate release 
By Julia Shands 
October 8, 2021

For more information, contact OBU’s news bureau at [email protected] or 870-245-5206 

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—The annual Called to Ministry Conference (C2M) will be hosted by Ouachita’s Pruet School of Christian Studies on Oct. 30 in Berry Chapel and the Berry-Peeples Bible Building. C2M welcomes teens who are interested in vocational ministry. The conference is a one-day event consisting of worship, keynote sessions led by ministry experts and breakout sessions covering multiple areas of ministry.  

This year’s speakers are Ouachita alumni Brandon Barnard and Kristen Padilla. Barnard is a teaching pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock and has contributed to every C2M conference. Padilla is a leader in women’s ministry and holds a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala., where she serves as marketing and communications director. 

“Brandon is a dynamic speaker,” said Jon Merryman, director of alumni relations and the Ouachita Student Foundation. “He challenges students in a number of ways, and students have always connected well with Brandon. Kristen has spoken at C2M twice and is another C2M favorite. Her book, ‘Now That I’m Called,’speaks to women serving in ministry.” 

The conference is designed to help young adults discern and explore their call to ministry. 

“We really hope students walk away encouraged, whether that is feeling strongly about a certain area of ministry or receiving the affirmation that they can follow Christ and be open to many areas of ministry in the future,” said Merryman. “We also hope that they’ll connect with some of our alumni and current students and consider coming to Ouachita for college.” 

In addition to sessions with worship and messages from Barnard and Padilla, the event will include a time of guided prayer, breakout sessions, campus tours and discussion groups to allow students time to share what they have gained from the experience.  

C2M is a partnership between Ouachita’s Pruet School of Christian Studies and Office of Admissions Counseling and the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. To register or learn more about the Called to Ministry Conference, visit obu.edu/c2m or email [email protected].