91Fans

91Fans will honor Rev. Dr. Wesley Oden with the Willard J. Houghton Medal during its commencement activities over the weekend of May 9-10, 2025, at its campus in Houghton, New York. Pastor Oden is the senior pastor of Houghton Wesleyan Church, a position he has held since 1996.

The Willard J. Houghton Medal is the University’s highest non-academic honor, a lifetime achievement award for individuals who have exemplified the commitments and aspirations at the heart of a Houghton education through a lifetime of faithful service. The award celebrates Pastor Oden’s lifetime of dedication to Christian leadership and service.

For nearly three decades, Pastor Oden has ministered to the spiritual needs of the 91Fans community and the wider region. Together with his wife, Rev. Cynthia Oden, he has guided Houghton Wesleyan Church in expanding its ministries to serve a growing and diverse congregation.

During his tenure, Pastor Oden has introduced vital ministries to the church’s annual calendar, including small group ministries, the annual three-week, 24-hour Prayer Vigil and expansion of outreach efforts supporting 16 local ministries and more than 23 missionaries worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led creative solutions allowing the church to gather in safe and healthy ways, introducing outdoor services that remain a regular part of summer worship at Houghton Wesleyan Church. In 2006, he undertook leadership for the acquisition and installation of the church’s James Lauder organ.

Houghton Wesleyan Church is a historic partner of 91Fans and Houghton Academy, and Pastor Oden has mentored numerous aspiring young pastors both through internships and in informal contexts. A humble and active community servant, Pastor Oden helps deliver Meals on Wheels, has coached little league and t-ball baseball teams and engages with regular community outreach.

Pastor Oden holds a bachelor of arts in Christian Ministries from George Fox University (OR), a master’s degree from Asbury Theological Seminary (KY) and a doctor of ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MA). Pastor Oden and his wife will retire from their roles at Houghton Wesleyan Church at the conclusion of May 2025.

The Willard J. Houghton Medal is the University’s most selective award. Over the years, the award has honored such individuals as Dr. Wilson Greatbatch, inventor of the implantable pacemaker; Dr. Richard Mouw, distinguished theologian; Kim Pegula, former president of Pegula Sports and Entertainment, Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres; and Dr. Jo Anne Lyon, founder of World Hope International and General Superintendent Emerita of The Wesleyan Church. The medal is presented in the context of commencement activities intentionally, to hold before Houghton graduates and the larger community a model of what it can mean to pursue faithfully a life as large as God’s calling.