Minister to Men, Warren “Dub” Ambrose finds working with men extremely rewarding. “I enjoy seeing men be men. They are sincere, have integrity, are often courageous. Most are willing to do all that is needed to be the men God wants them to be.

He sees the primary hindrances to men fulfilling their God-given roles are the distractions of the culture, especially money and work. “We’re taught to be providers, protectors, self-sufficient and strong pillars. We sometimes wear lots of armor that’s heavy and hard. But under all that armor are tender hearts that can come out under the right circumstances. Most men are committed to Christ and have a strong dedication to their families,” Dub explained.

Certainly, Dub is a strong example of a Christian man, dedicated to Christ and his talented family.

He and his wife, Cathy, have four children. Each member of the family is talented musically with three members of the Ambrose family—Dub, Cathy and Bree--singing and helping lead the Worship Team each Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Dub expresses his love for the Lord not only through his voice and guitar, but also through his very countenance.

Dub marvels that wife Cathy is “always filled with joy and smiling. She is very optimistic and has lots of faith. Her joy shows in her face.”

Dub and Cathy met in junior high in Fort Worth when he was playing football and she was a cheerleader. While they were friends, they didn’t date until their senior year. Following graduation they both attended the University of Texas.

Dub had become a Christian in fourth grade, but now felt God working in his life in a new way. “My Dad was involved with the Full Gospel Businessmen. I learned what it meant to be filled with the Spirit; what it meant for Jesus to really be Lord of my life. My Dad suggested that I transfer to Oral Roberts University. When I arrived at ORU for the second semester, it was night and had snowed. It looked like a wonderland. It was at that time that God was really changing my heart. I had a great experience at ORU.

“Though I had become a Christian at a young age, I feel there’s a time in our lives when we spiritually make decisions that help us move into spiritual adulthood. I finally surrendered everything to Him, my future vocation, and my life.”

Cathy observed the differences this surrender made in Dub’s life and was drawn into a deeper relationship with Christ as well.

While attending ORU he was studying to be a high school biology teacher. A friend at Tulsa’s University Methodist had invited him to help with the youth at his church. He had a Catholic background and “Catholics don’t have youth groups,” said Dub. “’You mean you can get paid for doing this?’ I asked. So, I changed from education to Christian education.”

He began his ministry working part-time with youth at Trinity UMC while still attending ORU. He began as Youth and Education Minister at St. Paul’s UMC in Shawnee, a church that was at that time pastored by our own Dr. David Thomas. He served in several other churches working with youth as well as campus minister in Ada for several years. In 1992, he became Associate Executive Minister at First UMC of Tulsa, where he supervised the youth ministry and also began working in men’s ministries. He has served Asbury in several capacities and now serves as Asbury’s Minister to Men.

A mountain of a man physically, his spirit and loving heart are equally as big encompassing not only the men he serves, but his fierce dedication to Christ and his family, and Asbury.