Leadership and Faculty

GATS Leadership and Faculty

God has assembled an amazing group of men and women who serve as board members, administrators, and faculty members of FFCU and GATS. They share a heart for training laborers and releasing the power of God for revival and awakening in the nations of the earth.

Dr. Sam Matthews

President, Family of Faith Christian University

Sam and his wife, Kathy, have been pastors of Family of Faith Church since 1983, however he began preaching the gospel at the age of 17. Sam earned his BA in Bible from Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, OK, and then went on to complete both his M.Div. and his D.Min. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1989, Sam had a vision of some property and heard the direction of the Lord to, “Go and buy this property and start a university.” He returned to Shawnee, purchased the land, started recruiting individuals, and has never looked back, however only looks forward to training more laborers and orchestrating a world-wide penetration of the gospel. Sam entered the life of intercession as God taught him how to pray and believe for the healing of his wife. He was further mentored by Samuel Rees Howells, and continues to speak at the Bible College of Wales. The intercessions for the nations continue and have borne fruit through Family of Faith Ministries (Church, Christian School, and University), and through International Christian Leadership Connections (ICLC). Sam is also a member of the ICLC Apostolic Company and its regional and national teams. He travels round the world to visit and encourage ICLC churches and leaders. He enjoys spending time with (or talking about) his sons, his daughter-in-law, and his four grandchildren.

Dr. Randy Clark

President, Global Awakening Theological Seminary

Since the day he experienced a miraculous healing from a car accident at 18, Randy Clark felt led to go into the ministry. He completed his B.S. Religious Studies in 1974 from Oakland City University, a General Baptist institution. He went on to receive his M.Div. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY in 1977. On January 20, 1994, a revival broke out in Toronto when he was called to come as the evangelist to the local Vineyard church. The meetings turned into the longest protracted meeting in North American history, lasting 12½ years. In 2013 he completed his D.Min. from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH (affiliated with the Methodists). He entered the doctoral program due to a prophecy that was direct and timely. He also wanted to complete the program because of the professor who recruited him and told him with this degree he could be the president of a seminary. He had vision and now a growing prophetic stream of messages due to his involvement in higher education. Global Awakening Theological Seminary continues to see growth in number of students and in degrees and majors offered. His goal is for it to become one of the most strategic online seminaries in the world. Dr. Clark in 2013 received the Doctor of Theology degree with specialty in Revival and Healing from Phoenix University of Theology; in 2016 received Distinguished Service Award from United Theological Seminary; and in 2019 received the Doctor of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary. He has a strong healing anointing, and his growing understanding of the ways of God causes him to see more of the glory of God. Using his extensive educational background and an unmistakable teaching gift, he delineates even the most difficult concepts to the layperson. He has traveled to over 54 countries and continues to travel extensively to see that God’s mandate on his life be fulfilled. Randy resides in Mechanicsburg, PA, with his wife, DeAnne. They have four married children and eight grandchildren.

Dr. Tom Jones

Vice-President of Graduate Academic Affairs, Global Awakening Theological Seminary

Tom’s passion to pursue revival was rekindled at John Wimber's "Signs and Wonders" conference in the mid 1980's and later by the Brownsville and Toronto Revivals. He met Randy Clark in 1999, the beginning of a God ordained friendship. In 2003, Tom had an encounter with the Holy Spirit that changed the course of his life forever. Tom led his local church through revival, spiritually fathering and releasing many into new ministries and nations. In 2005, at the climax of his pastoral ministry, Tom laid everything down in obedience to God’s call. Randy heard of this decision and immediately invited him on staff at Global Awakening. In 2009, Tom received his Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Regent University and then his D.Min. from United Theological Seminary in 2013. Tom carries a healing anointing, a passion for revival, and the Father’s love. Like his grandfather before him, he provokes people to lift up their eyes and encounter the presence of God, blessing and releasing them to passionately pursue their destiny. He and his wife, Brenda, have two children and two grandchildren.

Dara Gilliam

Vice-President of Student Affairs

Dara has a passion for young people to walk in the fullness of their callings and destinies in Christ—a mission she is looking to fulfill through her position at FFCU. She graduated from FFC in 2011 with her BA and then completed her Master of Theological Studies at Oklahoma Christian University. She has been on mission trips to Mexico and Lebanon, and she anticipates many more. Dara is always ready for adventure, fun, and worship with her friends, her family, and especially with her husband, Michael, and their two sons.

Elaine Phillips

Provost

While living in Aberdeen, Scotland, God called Elaine and her husband, John, to Oklahoma to fulfill their longing to train people to go to the nations. Her heart is to use her ministry gifts of teaching and administration in order to equip people to minister to others. She earned her BA in Christian Education from Southwestern University, in Georgetown, TX, and her MA in Christian Education from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK. At FFCU, she administrates, counsels students, and teaches ministry courses. She is involved with her local community in many ways. Outside of the office, Elaine enjoys reading, baking and connecting with her three daughters and two “sons-in-love.”

Daniel Matthews

Vice-President of Operations/Finance

In addition to leading the Christian Service program, Daniel is involved in administrative matters, counseling, and student life. He serves as Worship Pastor of Family of Faith Ministries, providing oversight to the worship team and to outreach ministries. He very much believes in bringing Jesus into all that one does in life. An avid sports fan himself, Daniel is always ready to discuss the OKC Thunder, the PGA tour, and the Texas Rangers. He and his wife have four children.

Board of Trustees

James Stay, Chairman – Oklahoma
Joshua Prasad, Vice-Char – Florida
Bob Baynard – Pennsylvania
Bill Dorrell — Pennsylvania
Debbie M. Hewitt – Oklahoma
Renee Hughes – Oklahoma
Paul Mohabir – Connecticut
Mike Pedersen – Regina, Canada
Anne Sadberry – Oklahoma
Dan Sadberry – Oklahoma
Jeff Simmonds – Arizona
Jim Willis – Oklahoma

Faculty

Mark Boda
Ph.D., Old Testament, University of Cambridge
M.Div., Westminster Theological Seminary
B.Th., Canadian Bible College
Course(s): Introduction to Old Testament; Pentateuch; Psalms

Robert Burge
D.Min., United Theological Seminary
M.Div., Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Bachelor of Religious Education, Davis College
Course(s): Physical Healing 1; Spiritual Gifts

Jim Burkett
D.Min., Luther Rice Seminary
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
B.A. Religion, Oklahoma Baptist University
Course(s): 21 st Century Apologetics

Randy Clark
D.Min., United Theological Seminary
DD United Theological Seminary
ThD (Healing and Revival) Phoenix University of Theology
M.Div., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
B.S. Religious Studies, Oakland City University
Course(s): Physical Healing 1; Christian Theologies; Eschatology, Renewal Theology

Connie Dawson
Ph.D., Renewal History and Theology, Regent University
M.Div., Asia Pacific Theological Seminary
M.A. Theology, Asia Pacific Theological Seminary
M.B.A., University of Colorado
B.A. Business Administration, Doane University
Course(s): Revival History courses; Academic Advisor

Sherri Falco
D.Min., United Theological Seminary
Juris Doctor, Harvard Law School
M.B.A. in International Management, Thunderbird School of Global Management,
Arizona State University
M.A. Slavic Linguistics, University of Washington
B.A. Economics and Russian, University of Michigan
Course(s): Spiritual Formation

Jarred Fenlason
D.Min., United Theological Seminary
M.A. Christian Leadership Studies, Liberty University
B.S. Business Admin., Palm Beach Atlantic University
Course(s): Becoming Like Jesus

Nick Gough
D.Min., United Theological Seminary
Master of Theological Studies, Vanguard University
B.S. Business Admin., University of Southern California
Course(s): Prophecy, Biblical and Today

Alan Hawkins
D.Min., United Theological Seminary
M.Div., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
B.A. Religion, Mississippi College
Course(s): Systematic Theology

Rodney Hogue
D.Min., United Theological Seminary
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
B.A. Education, University of Central Oklahoma
Course(s): Deliverance 1

Tom Litteer
D.Min., United Theological Seminary and D.Min., Fuller Theological Seminary
M.Div., Fuller Theological Seminary
Masters Human Resources Management, Pepperdine University
B.S. Psychology, Oklahoma State University
Course(s): Hermeneutics; Christian Ethics; Homiletics; Pastoral Care
Academic Advisor

Samuel Matthews
D.Min., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
B.A. Religion, Oklahoma Baptist University
Course(s): Intercession; Five-fold Ministry

Scott McDermott
Ph.D., New Testament Studies, Drew University
M.Ph., New Testament Studies, Drew University
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
M.A., New Testament Theology, Oral Roberts University
B.A. Biblical Studies, Oral Roberts University
Course(s): Pauline Epistles

James Moore
Ph.D., Worship and Missions, B. H. Carroll Theological Institute
Master of Music, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Bachelor of Music Education, Baylor University
Course(s): Worship and Renewal Studies

Mark Roberts
Ph.D. Religion, Vanderbilt University
M.A. English, Ohio State University
M.A. Religion, Vanderbilt University
B.A. Religion, Mississippi College
Course(s): Luke-Acts; Introduction to the New Testament

Jon Ruthven
Ph.D. Religious Studies (Systematic Theology), Marquette University
M.A. Religion, Central Bible College
Bachelor of Divinity, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
B.A. Bible, Central Bible College
Course(s): Pneumatology

Robert Sawvelle
D.Min., United Theological Seminary
M.A. Theology, Jacksonville Theological Seminary
B.A. Electronic Engineering Tech., Florida A&M Univ.
Course(s): Evangelism; Evangelism and Discipleship in Small Groups

David B. Sloan
Ph.D. Theological Studies, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
M.Div., Ashland Theological Seminary
B.S. Electrical and Comp. Engineering, Ohio State Univ.
Course(s): Ephesians; Gospels (Teachings of Jesus); Eschatology

Jeannette Storms
D. Min. Regent University
M.A. in Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary
B.A. History, Southern Nazarene University
B.Th., Holmes College of the Bible
Course(s): Biblical Prophecy

Lesley Taylor
Ph.D., Design and Evaluation of Ed. Programs, Stanford University
M.A. Educational Technology, Stanford University
M.A. Sociology, Stanford University
B.S. Sociology and Social Policy, University of Wales, Swansea
Course(s): Academic Success in Writing and Research; Academic Advisor

David Watson
Ph.D. Southern Methodist University
M.Div., Southern Methodist University
B.A., Texas Tech University
Course(s): 21 st Century Apologetics

Geoff Wattoff
D.Min., United Theological Seminary
M.S. Industrial Administration (M.B.A.), Carnegie-Mellon University
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Course(s): Inner Healing 1

Peter Young
D.Min., United Theological Seminary
Master of Divinity, Denver Seminary
Bachelor of Science, Business Management, Mass. Inst. of Technology
Course(s): Ministry Leadership