OC Communication Program hosts Oklahoma legislative minister Joel Harder at Taking Sides Chapel

OC Professor of Communication Brian Simmons’ hosted the respected leader for a Q&A on April 10. 

April 22, 2021

Students at Oklahoma Christian University experienced an insightful morning with Joel Harder, a man who wears many hats in faith and leadership. He is the founder and president of Oklahoma Capital Culture and fills the role of the State Minister for the nonprofit Oklahoma for Capitol Commission, Inc. OC’s Taking Sides Chapel invited Harder for a question-and-answer session led by Professor of Communication Brian Simmons. 

For more than 10 years, Harder has worked to develop leadership in local churches, nationwide nonprofits and political atmospheres. He believes in the influence politicians have over the lives of civilians, so he is passionate about interacting in ways that offer prayer, encouragement and insight to Oklahoma’s elected officials. The chaplain has also published a new book, “When Leaders Matter,” to equip and inspire a climate that desperately needs integrity-filled people.

In the current political climate, it seems difficult to have civil conversations with differentiated opinions. Harder makes a point to model civil discourse, which is why he was asked to speak at Taking Sides Chapel. 

Simmons shared why the experience benefited OC. 

"The students and I who produce Taking SIdes Chapel believe that a university ought to model civil discourse for its students,” he said. “Dr. Harder's organization and his book are aligned with that goal, and we hope that his brief visit to campus was a blessing for those who were able to hear his thoughts." 

The students who attended the chapel agreed that it was an insightful morning for everyone involved. 

Drew Echkart attended and had the opportunity to talk with Harder afterward.  

“Dr. Harder and I discussed corruption in politics and the difficulties of compromising with those you disagree with,” Eckhart said.  “I will say that he is definitely much more optimistic about the way things work in our country than I am; however, I definitely got the impression that he had reflected much on this topic. I was also able to tell that Dr. Harder put his Christian worldview into the way he considered politics, and I definitely appreciate that.”

 OC is thankful for leaders like Harder, who put their beliefs into practice. He is willing to engage in difficult conversations while keeping a faithful perspective, and he empowers the people around him, which is the character of a transformational leader. A special ‘thank you’ goes to Katie Martinez, OC’s student leadership coordinator, for connecting Simmons with Harder. Katie’s husband, Ryan Martinez, serves the Edmond community as a state representative for the 39th District.