Ministry Focus
John, also known as OJ, is an artist and teacher at heart passionately serving with Campus Ambassadors. He serves in full-time ministry at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. His passion for mentoring and discipling fuels his calling to build leaders for Christ on college campuses. He loves to see students succeed as he builds meaningful relationships and inspires true self-discovery through pointing them to Christ. OJ loves meeting, interacting and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and sharing Christ through creative discussion. Being hands on and innovative, he is interested in initiatives and service opportunities that provide spiritual, educational, professional and social experiences for the students he connects with. He strives to encourage a holistic approach to mentoring and serving, and encourages students to explore local and global service opportunities ranging from child/youth missions to public and medical programs. OJ also occasionally teaches college courses as a part-time instructor and loves to apply biblical principles in his teaching. Outside of work, OJ enjoys traveling, especially with his family. He enjoys opening his home to students to offer a fun and welcoming space for fellowship together. Music is another one of OJ’s passions, especially in worship as an instrumentalist for the worship team or with a local band. Tiana loves working with young college students in Student Affairs at Indiana University. She often has conversations with students about their faith and spiritual journey, and is gifted at connecting with and encouraging students. She also loves using her talents for scrapbooking and jewelry making to bless others, and enjoys inviting people over for dinner, cooking both American and Nigerian dishes.
Faith Story
OJ committed his life to Christ when he was 20 and Tiana, having strong Christian influences from her aunt as a child, rededicated her life to the Lord in her later 20s. OJ previously served with Campus Ambassadors while pursuing a graduate program at Worcester State University in Worcester, Massachusetts. He experienced how his creativity could become a ministry to share the love of Christ among the students he was attending school with. From this experience and others, OJ developed a desire to pursue ministry as a Campus Minister and make a difference in the lives of students.
WAYS TO SUPPORT
John and Tiana by making a financial donation using a Credit Card or by Direct Debit (ACH).
Learn more about where this ministry happens
In colorful communities and along scenic highways, diverse people and landscapes span coast to coast
Iconic American traditions include Thanksgiving dinner, jazz music and the Super Bowl. They meld with eclectic examples of multicultural heritage: numerous local Chinatowns, family-owned taquerias and even cowboy boots, which originated among the nomadic Huns of eastern Europe.
The nation's landscape shows just as many contrasts — sandy beaches and rocky coastlines, open plains and vast deserts, rugged mountains and winding canyons, and abundant rivers and lakes.
The ideals of life and liberty that founded the United States have made the country one of the world's most prosperous, though not without dark chapters and present troubles. Crime, discrimination and ethics violations make regular headlines, and many people live below the national poverty level.
Families view education as essential to the pursuit of happiness, if not also a path to wealth and power for the most ambitious. Yet Americans also demonstrate a charitable spirit of generosity toward neighbors and nations in need.
Freedom of religion grants opportunity for all faiths, but Christianity holds particular influence in country's history and daily life.
Your participation with Missions Door supports ministry in the United States among college students, including many international students, in collaboration local churches. It also enables social outreach, church planting and leadership development in a wide variety of communities — among Native Americans and other cultural groups, and in urban and suburban settings where growing and changing demographics create new opportunities for the Gospel.
Cultural Snapshot
Aside from the Native American, Native Hawaiian and Native Alaskan populations, nearly all Americans and their ancestors immigrated to the United States.
Faith Fact
In a 2013 survey, 56% of Americans said that religion played a "very important role in their lives” — a larger number than any other wealthy nation.
Country Profile
Population: 320 million
Major Religions: 47% Protestant, 23% unaffiliated, 21% Catholic, 6% other
Languages: 82% English, 11% Spanish, various others
Literacy: 99%
Poverty: 16%
Ministry service area:
Campus Ambassadors
Ministry location:
Indiana, United States