– OklahomaBaptistHomesfor Children today announced theappointmentofDr.James Swain as the new president of the120-year-old organization.
The Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma Baptist Convention today voted to confirm Dr. Swain after a searchcommitteeprayerfully submitted his name as the top candidate for the position after a comprehensive search. Dr. Swain currently serves as the Associate Executive Director for Church Relations for Oklahoma Baptists. “I have known James Swain for over 20 years and appreciated him as a pastor and team member of our state convention,” said Dr. Todd Fisher, Executive Director -Treasurer Oklahoma Baptists. “His institutional knowledge and relationships with Oklahoma Baptists churches and pastors are surpassed by none and will make him an exceptional choice as the next president of OBHC. The strength and success of our state convention affiliates rely heavily on their relationship with Oklahoma Baptists. James’ experience and abilities will enablehimtoleadOBHCwell and expand and deepen the organization’s relationships with churches and pastors. I greatly look forward to working with James as the new president of OBHC to further our organizations’ partnership to advance the gospel.”
“I am so excited that Dr. Swain has been selected to serve as the President of OBHC,”saidDr.MikeGeiger, Board of Trustees Chairman, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children. “James has an extensive amount of experience serving in leadership for Oklahoma Baptists. His experience and his ability to build relationships is second to none among church leaders in Oklahoma. There has never been a more critical time for Oklahoma Baptists to join together in our called mission to minister to those in need, to glorify God by sharing the gospel, and advocating for the lives of our most vulnerable. Dr. Swain serving as President of OBHC is a decisive win for the organization.”
Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC) is Oklahoma’s largest private, notfor- profit residential childcare system. In 2022, OBHC directed served 283 children through four campus locations across the state. “I am humbled to answer God’s call to become the president of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children,” said Dr. Swain. “For the past 120 years the Baptist’s of Oklahoma have beenshowingandsharingthe love of Christ to children in need of hope. I am honored to step into this rich legacy and look forward to the days ahead. I am excited to serve with the committed men and women who serve on the OBHC staff as we strive to empower children and their families to follow Christ.”
Dr. Swain has served Oklahoma’s Baptist community bothadministratively andonthecommunitychurch level throughout his life of ministry. Dr. Swain first served as a youth minister in Marlow and Purcell and was then served as the Pastor of churches in Medford, Sulphur, Chickasha and Kingfisher before making the transition as Director of Conference Centers for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma in 2010. Since then, he has also served as the Equipping Team Leader and currently as the Associate Executive Director where he leads the Church Relations group that includes the Regional Ministry Partners and the Affinity Ministry Partners. He also serves as the liaison with the associational leaders of the 40 local associations throughout the state.
The mission of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children is to demonstrate God’s love by providing hope through empowering children and their families to follow Christ. OBHC is an affiliate of Oklahoma Baptist, which is comprised of 1,700 Oklahoma Southern Baptist churches. OBHC operates on four campuses in Oklahoma through Baptist Children’s Home in Oklahoma City, BoysRanchTowninEdmond, Baptist Children’s Home in Owasso, Baptist Home for Girls in Madill. OBHC is a leader in caring for the unborn through Hope Pregnancy Ministries in 8 locations throughout Oklahoma. OBHC provides not only for the mother’s physical needs, but also their emotional, educational and spiritual needs.
OBHC does not charge for services, nor accepts government funds. OBHC is funded through the generosity of individuals, businesses as well as gifts from Southern Baptist churches through offerings and the Cooperative Program. OBHC does not discriminate on placement based on race, color, national origin, or religious affiliation.
Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children is the state’s largest and oldest childcare system.