The Rev. Joel Wood, pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Sand Springs, Okla., will visit campus on the week of Jan. 29 as part of the University of the Ozarks’ Struthers Visiting Pastoral Study Leave Program. He will lead the University’s weekly Chapel Service at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
Wood is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, and while he spent a few years exploring the East Coast, he has deep roots in Oklahoma. He attended Oral Roberts University in 2007 receiving a degree in Sacred Music. During that time he served at First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa as a lay leader working with middle school and college students, as well as being heavily invested in their contemporary worship service.
Most recently Wood served as the associate pastor of discipleship at the First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Currently he is working through Pittsburgh Seminary and the University of Edinburgh to earn a doctorate of ministry with reformed theology focus.
Wood is married to Amber, and together they have two children, Emerson and Charlie.
While ministry is Wood’s call, it’s not his only passion. If he’s not reading, he can be found spending time with his family, working out, playing disc golf, or cheering on his beloved Green Bay Packers or Oklahoma City Thunder.
Wood said his deep love of learning is driven by the desire and conviction to help all people come to know Christ, love Christ, and serve Christ.
The Pastoral Study Leave Program was established in 2005 by the late Rev. Dr. James R. Struthers of Stillwater, Okla., a long-time member of the University’s Board of Trustees. Struthers established the program to bring Presbyterian pastors to the U of O campus for personal and professional development.
Topics: Chapel