Trusting God in the Middle of the Storm: A Dean’s Journey Through Danger, Leadership, and Faith
May 10, 2025
Introduction
On a stormy Saturday morning (April 2025), life reminded me just how fragile it can be. As I drove along I-240 in Oklahoma City on my way to a car appointment, rain fell relentlessly. Roads quickly turned treacherous. I was less than a mile from my exit when I hit a deep pocket of water. My vehicle began to hydroplane and spun uncontrollably down the interstate.
In those surreal moments, I wasn’t screaming or panicking. It was as if I were outside of my own body, watching everything unfold in slow motion. My car veered off an exit ramp, spinning toward a power pole. I braced for the worst. Miraculously, a last-second maneuver steered me away from a fatal collision. My car was intact. My life was spared. There was no other explanation: God was with me in the storm.
Public Leadership and Private Faith
As I near the completion of my first year as Dean of the Langston University School of Business, this dramatic experience feels symbolic of the journey. When I arrived, the school had been without a dean for nearly three years. There were staffing shortages, minimal funding, accreditation pressure, and constant student and faculty needs. Every step has felt like building while walking through a storm.
As public leaders, we’re often encouraged to downplay our faith. We’re told to be polished, not prayerful. There’s this unspoken belief that we need to look like we have everything under control, that our success results from grit and grind, not God’s grace.
But let me be clear: I did not leave this storm without God. I’m not standing on a soapbox or holding a microphone—I’m living my Gospel. My life is the message.
The truth is, storms come in many forms. That hydroplane was just one. At Langston University School of Business, I’ve weathered storms of underfunding, understaffing, doubt, and resistance to change. Every day feels like a mix of wind and fire—yet I’ve never been alone. My foundation is not in credentials, position, or prestige. My foundation is in the Word of God.
Caption: We must mentor our students to deal with adversity and obstacles. Storms will happen in life.
The Nehemiah Strategy: Building Through the Storm
I came to Langston with what I call The Nehemiah Strategy, based on Nehemiah 2:17, 18, and 4:6. Just like Nehemiah rebuilding a wall amid opposition, we are rebuilding a business school’s reputation from the ground up—with faith, focus, and fire.
Vanity metrics do not drive us. We are driven by vision. And “the people had a mind to work.” That includes students who never thought college was for them, faculty and staff who show up day after day in love and service, and alumni and partners who believe in the power of second chances.
Three Takeaways from My First Year as Dean
- Your Title Can’t Save You in a Storm
When that car spun, it didn’t matter that I was a dean. What mattered was who I was anchored to. Proverbs 3:5- 6 reminds us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Leadership without faith is just ego in a suit. - Every Storm Has a Purpose
Storms force you to confront your limits. Whether it’s navigating limited budgets, mentoring students, or building corporate partnerships, I’ve realized every challenge is a divine setup to refine me, not destroy me. - Faith Is Not Optional. It’s Essential.
I’m not here to fit in. I’m here to lead, which means walking in faith—even when it’s unpopular. I’ve failed as a leader if I can’t show students how to endure a storm.
So, don’t be afraid if you’re reading this and in a storm. Please don’t pretend to have it all together. Don’t put your hope in titles, timelines, or to-do lists. Put your hope in God.
Because the storm might be real, but so is God.
Conclusion
I’ll never forget that spin on I-240. The helplessness. The clarity. The rescue. The ending could have been different. I could have hit that pole or collided with traffic. But God spared me. That moment reminded me why I’m here—not just to manage a school but to lead with purpose, to serve students with compassion, and to trust God in every storm. That storm wasn’t just about weather—it was a reminder of who’s in control.
And if He could carry me through that moment, He can take me through anything. Like the old saints used to say, “Trouble won’t last always.” Whether you’re a student, faculty member, or someone walking through difficulty, know this: storms pass. But God’s promise remains. Keep walking. Keep building. Keep believing.
#FaithInLeadership #NehemiahStrategy #StormsPass #TrustGod #HBCUPride #Proverbs3 #LeadershipInFaith #LangstonStrong #FromCrisisToCalling
About Dr. Daryl D. Green:
Dr. Daryl D. Green is a business strategist, speaker, and noted author. Dr. Green is the new Business School Dean at Langston University. Dr. Green has been reported and quoted by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and the Associated Press. For more information about this article or business assistance, please get in touch with Dr. Green at advice@darylgreen.org.
