O. S. Hawkins came to GuideStone Financial Resources in 1997 as President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to his tenure at GuideStone, he served as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas (1993-1997) and Pastor of First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, Florida for 15 years (1978-1993).

Hawkins is a graduate of Texas Christian University (B.B.A.), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Luther Rice Seminary (D.Min.). He has also received several honorary doctorate degrees from various colleges and universities.

He has been married to his wife Susie since 1970 and they have two daughters, Wendy and Holly, two sons-in-law, Brian and David, and five grandchildren. Hawkins was named Clergyman of the Year by the Religious Heritage of America in 1993 and is the author of over 20 books.