Harold and Sally Shank

Harold Shank serves as President of Ohio Valley University in Vienna, West Virginia.  Associated with Churches of Christ, the university offers bachelors and masters degrees in over forty different fields.   US News and World Report ranked OVU in its top tier academically.

Previously, he was Professor of Old Testament at Oklahoma Christian University and Reviews Editor of the Christian Chronicle.

Since 1996 he has also been the national spokesperson for Christian Child and Family Services Association.  This organization represents about 70 childcare agencies ac ross the nation.

His most recent book is Listening to His Heartbeat–What the Bible says about the Heart of God (College Press, 2009).   He also wrote  Loosening Your Grip (1995), Up Close and Personal – Embracing the Poor (2000), Children Mean the World to God (2001), College Press NIV Commentary of the Minor Prophets (2001), and It’s All About God (2004). Shank is also the author of over 100 journal, magazine and encyclopedia articles.

Harold is interested in children and young people.   He also champions ministries to the poor and vulnerable.  He writes and speaks about these topics frequently.  He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature.

Shank is married to Sally Jane.  For the last several years they attended Memorial Road Church of Christ where he served as an elder.  Harold and Sally have two sons: Daniel and Nathan.

Harold is a graduate of Oklahoma Christian with a B.A. in Bible. He received his M.A. and M.A.R. from Harding University Graduate School of Religion. His Ph.D. in Theology is from Marquette University.

Harold was part of a team that planted the Northtown congregation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and later served as the preacher for the Highland Church of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was involved in helping to establish several urban ministries.  He has also done short term missions in Belize and Ukraine.

Originally from Indiana, Pennsylvania, Harold’s family came to Christ when he was a teenager.

You are invited to become Harold’s friend on Facebook.   Search for Harold Shank.

Published Works

Harold Shank has had many books and articles published on a wide range of topics.  He had focused much of his writting on Old Testement and issue of justice. Books: Listening to His Heartbeat—What the Bible Says About the Heart of God Joplin, Mo: College Press, 2009. It’s All About God, with David Ralston. Nashville: 21st Century [...]