W.F. "Bud" Underwood

I’m pleased to share the following guest post from Dr. W.F. Underwood, president of Oneida Baptist Institute, one of the institutions of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Oneida is a boarding school supported in part by Cooperative Program gifts.

Missions Made Easy at Oneida Baptist Institute

The words of Jesus in the Great Commission are clear. Reach the nations for Christ and teach new believers to live out the gospel. We have a unique opportunity at Oneida Baptist Institute to carry out both of these commands—simply by going about our daily work.

Though OBI was founded as a school for eastern Kentucky mountain children, it has grown into a boarding school for grades 6-12 that reaches teenagers from our own county, across the Commonwealth, all over the U.S. and around the world.

While we seek to help teenagers in a variety of ways, there are four primary areas in which we believe we offer them the most help.

Academics

Graduation time at Oneida Baptist Institute

Some 40% of our students enroll with very low or failing grades. We have been quite successful helping those who are capable of making good grades but are simply not making progress. When we ask the student if he knows why he is making such poor grades, the most common answers are, “I’m just lazy” or “I just don’t care.”

We believe our smaller class sizes—typically 10 to 12 students–is one major key to helping teens who are struggling. In a smaller class the teacher can give each student more individual attention and there are fewer distractions. Nightly study hall is also very helpful. Every OBI student who is not on the honor roll goes to a required study hall each evening Monday through Thursday. We also have a Tutoring Lab to help students who have gotten several years behind their peers. In our Tutoring Lab there is normally a 1:1 or 1:2 teacher/student ratio. Progress is much slower, but struggling students are able to get the personal attention they need in reading and math.

Work

The work ethic has never outlived its usefulness at Oneida. We have always held to the philosophy that students should be accountable, including cleaning up after themselves. In our 110 years of ministry OBI has never employed a custodian. We have 15 major buildings, and our students clean every one with adult supervision. A middle school or high school child may not always be as efficient as an adult. But we can deal with a little dust and a few missed cobwebs if our young people are learning accountability.

Students are taught the importance of getting to work on time. They learn to do the jobs they are asked to do; never mind that it may be a job they don’t like. And we teach them that they must follow the instructions of the person in charge, even if it is someone they do not care for. We are proud to teach our students that happiness and satisfaction can be found in work.

Co-curriculars

Many students come to Oneida with low self esteem for a variety of reasons. Many of those students often wanted to try out for a particular team or activity in their public school but didn’t because of the fear of being “cut” from the team at a later date. We all understand the need to have a winning team. And OBI, like other schools, always seeks to put the best we have on the field or court. One thing that separates us from many other schools, however, is the fact that we do not cut because of a lack of ability. Our students are told they can be a part of any activity we offer. As long as they manage their time and meet the team requirements, they are welcome to be involved in as much as they can be.

That policy does come with difficulties. When a 300-pound student joins the cross country team or a student joins the traveling choir but cannot carry a tune, there are challenges. Yet few experiences are more rewarding than seeing a student who has never before been part of a team or activity find happiness for the first time. A large part of our success over the years has been the result of making sure each student understands that “everybody is somebody” in God’s eyes. We are all created in His image and God did not make any “mistakes.” Often the student who has been overly intimidated by the thought of being cut in other schools has become one of our exceptional students. Students have even told me that they know they are not very good in their activity, but for the first time they feel welcomed by peers in spite of their modest skills. By the way, a great way for a 300-pound boy to lose 100 pounds is to join the cross country team!

Our approach to the lost

Until I became OBI administrator in 1994, I presumed that all Christian schools were similar to ours by allowing unbelievers to attend. I was saddened to discover that often Christian schools did not allow students who were not Christians. The most common reason given was that the purpose of having a Christian school was to provide an environment free of the negative influences often found in public schools. I don’t think the scriptures support that approach. Luke 19:10 says it all: “The Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

I firmly believe that nothing we do in any ministry is more important than doing what Christ said He came to do, and He came to seek and save the lost. I have never felt a need to apologize for seeking out those who need Jesus. Each year many students find Christ here. I trust our friends and supporters understand the importance of inviting those who do not know Christ to be a part of our school. If we ever close that door I honestly believe that God will be greatly displeased.

Great Commission / Great Opportunity

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” At Oneida we do not have far to go to reach the nations. Our student body represents young people from around the world—and also from right in our own back yard. OBI is local, state, national and international missions all at once. As students come to know Christ on our campus and take the good news back to their hometowns, the gospel travels across the globe.

“…And lo, I am with you always…” God’s blessing has been on our school from the beginning and we know He remains with us today. Please pray for the unique ministry of Oneida Baptist Institute.