OHC at a Glance
Ouachita Hills College offers all students the unique opportunity to receive a quality, Christ-centered education which prepares them for a profession and to be workers for Christ.
In bringing together students from diverse backgrounds, who are serious about their relationship with Christ and who want to prepare for service, OHC provides a setting for students to encourage each other in their Christian walk while learning valuable skills and methods for soul-winning. OHC students recognize that whatever their profession, their real calling in life is to be soul-winners.
Receiving mentoring by committed Christian staff, reflecting on the book of nature so obvious in our lovely country setting, learning in challenging classes, developing practical skills, and experiencing the joys of working for the salvation of souls—all this and more is intended to be part of the experience of each OHC student.
Many students can complete their college education with minimal expense beyond what they can earn by participating in OHC sponsored colporteur scholarship programs. Special training and education can enable most students to pay for the majority of their college fees in this way. Students can thus escape the stress of having heavy student loans to repay after graduation and can concentrate on answering God’s call wherever He leads.
If you are looking for an institution that will enable your professional development as well as your Christian walk, we encourage you to contact us for more details.
Ouachita Hills College operates as a religious exempt non-accredited college in the state of Arkansas. The College is an entity of Ouachita Ministries, Inc., which is a member of A.S.I. (Adventist-laymen's Services and Industries). OHC is a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
To provide additional educational opportunities Ouachita Hills College works with Griggs University, located in Silver Springs, Maryland, to offer courses and degree programs to Ouachita Hills College students. Courses taken at Ouachita Hills College are transferable to Griggs University.
The History of OHC
OHC’s roots stretch back about 30 years and find themselves entwined in the formation of another supporting ministry college--Weimar. During the early 1970s, while Weimar was being planned and developed, Chester and Harriet Clark attended a meeting in the Loma Linda area soliciting support and interest in the new educational venture. The Clarks came away from that meeting thinking that such a school should be developed in the Southwestern Union (their home union) as well. After reading the book, Madison, God’s Beautiful Farm, their determination to see such an educational program was set.
They waited, watched, and worked to see God open the doors, but for years no door opened. Convinced in 1988 that an academy might be more needed than a college at that time, they set a fleece out before the Lord. Another teacher and students would be needed if the Lord wanted an academy to begin. In a matter of a few weeks, another teacher and students came and with them Ouachita Hills Academy was born.
Since that time the academy has grown and is now located on 421 acres southwest of Amity, Arkansas. The idea to begin a college level program was laid aside for several years only to be re-ignited by students, parents, and visitors to campus who encouraged the staff to begin a college as soon as possible.
In 2000 the Board of Directors of Ouachita Ministries voted to form a college; in 2001 the state of Arkansas granted Ouachita Hills College a religious exempt status and plans for the college began in earnest.
Thirty-one students arrived on campus in September of 2003. Many of these were students who transferred from the Center for Evangelistic Canvassing in Harrah, Oklahoma or other colleges. Others came as bright-eyed freshmen, ready to experience their first year in college. All came with expectations to learn in the school of Christ and to prepare for His service.
What vision do the founders of this new college have? The vision of dedicated, dynamic, self-sacrificing young people being rightly trained, turning the world up-side-down for Jesus; the vision of young people who will stand for the truth though the heavens fall and who will not be bought or sold; the vision of a soon coming Savior welcoming these students and those they have worked to save into the kingdom.
Vision and Mission
Mission Statement
Ouachita Hills College exists to hasten Christ’s coming by providing a Christ-centered, character-oriented education which equips students to be successful in their chosen profession and to be active soul winners.
Vision Statement
The vision of Ouachita Hills College is to demonstrate the power of implementing God’s counsel in the field of educational endeavor by providing an environment that fosters the rounded development described in those counsels. In addition to achieving educational excellence, our students are enabled to cultivate habits of deep Bible study, practical work, and compassionate witnessing.
Objectives
Ouachita Hills College leadership and staff work together to reach the following objectives:
- Provide excellence in academics without sacrificing principles.
- Model dedication and self sacrifice.
- Develop mentoring relationships between students and staff.
- Provide access to a community of mission-minded Seventh-day Adventist Christian organizations.
- Engage every student in soul-winning experiences.
- Deliver dependable biblical instruction.
- Teach principles of reliable hermeneutics.
- Blend structure and freedom to promote self-government honoring God as a school.
- Supply opportunities for students to earn much of their tuition.
Message from the Chairman of the Board
Seventh-day Adventist education is to be unique. It is different. It has different purposes than those of any other educational system. Its ultimate goal is to prepare young people, and through them the world, for the soon coming of Jesus.
Welcome to Ouachita Hills College --a school focusing on God's unique plan of education for these last days!
I am humbled as I see how God is raising up this Spirit-filled school to train and equip "an army of youth" to help quickly bring an end to sin and suffering. As beautiful buildings are going up, God is also calling beautiful, dedicated, spiritually-minded staff to mentor and teach the students.
As you peruse this website, my prayer is that you will hear God calling you to a quiet country place where growing in Jesus, learning practical skills, and developing your mental capabilities are blended in a very unique way.
"In the highest sense the work of education and the work of redemption are one." Education p.30
Dr. Chester V. Clark, Jr.
President/Chairman of the Board
Student Life
Students at Ouachita Hills College enjoy a wide range of activities, from classes to vocational training to recreation and outreach; all in a family atmosphere. “You feel like you can be yourself here, like each person is a family member,” says Abigail Dragomir, Biblical Studies major. “We all work together in everything to accomplish our goals.”
Staff
OHC students enjoy a high staff to student ratio. Not only are they able to benefit from each staff member's expertise, but they are also able to get close to the faculty as mentors. “The staff here are amazing!” says Heidi Hunt, Elementary Education major. “They are genuine Christians. No matter how busy they are, they will always make time for us when we need them.”
Academic
The classes are each as unique as the individual teachers, but each class has one thing in common – using subject matter to point the students higher. “The courses are taught in such a way that not only do they address the theoretical aspect of the subject material, but also the practical aspect,” says Dayana Dominic, auditing Biblical Studies major. Practical vocational training is also included in each student's learning experience to balance book learning. “It is vocation vacation [from classwork],” says Esther Morris, Personal Ministries major.
Dorms
Dorm life offers a unique opportunity to grow and learn with friends. Both mens' and womens' deans provide worships in each dorm and students often initiate small group activities. Music, study, laughter, prayer, discussions, work, play and sleep are all a part of the OHC dorms. “I've loved every roommate I've had,” says Sarah Berlin, Elementary Education major. “Each one has a unique perspective on life, and each has challenged me and helped me grow.”
Recreation
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” says an American proverb. Here, we have a balance of both. As a school, OHC plans activities such as weekend retreats, canoe trips, camping trips, bonfires, hikes and community service days. Individuals often plan small group activities with whoever wants to participate. “It is so fun to live, work, and play together,” says Jennita Schmidt, Elementary Education major. “You're able to get to know people for who they really are.”
Spiritual
OHC's emphasis on finding God's will and following it with the whole mind, body and soul is what has attracted the current student body. “The students are constantly encouraged and challenged to aspire to a higher walk with Christ both by their peers and teachers,” says Dayana Dominic. “I know that OHC will bless true seekers, those who hunger for a deeper Christian life.”
Board of Directors
Ouachita Hills College is operated by the non-profit educational organization Ouachita Ministries, Inc. It is governed by an active Board of Directors which meets at least twice a year on the campus.
The Directors are engineers, educators, health-professionals, business people, and administrators - each bringing a unique perspective with experience and interest in Seventh-day Adventist Christian education.
Directors:
- Dr. Chester Clark Jr. - Dentist, Chairman of the Board
- Harriet Clark - Educator
- Chester Clark III - Evangelist, Development Director
- Jerry Cooper - Retired GAO Accountant
- James Getchell - Civil Engineer
- Leasa Hodges, Businesswoman, ASI Vice President for Youth
- Dr. Neil Nedley - Physician, Author
- Herbert Polk - Farm Manager
- Eugene Prewitt - L.E. Director, Educator
- Magda Rodriguez - Educator, Marketing Director
- Bob Zollinger - Chairman of the Board of Laurelbrook Academy
