Make plans to join us for the 2026 Beeson Divinity School Preaching Conference, which will be held July 14-16 on Beeson's campus!
This year's theme is “Manifold Wisdom: The Riches of Preaching Across Christian Traditions." We aim to exemplify and celebrate the unique contributions that each of five Christian traditions—African American, Anglican, Baptist, Reformed (Presbyterian) and Wesleyan—bring to the preaching of God’s Word and to learn from one another for the sake of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in more compelling ways. In addition to the preaching services, there will be breakout sessions focusing on preaching from specific books of the Bible or genres of Scripture. Conference participants will enjoy times of worship and fellowship, including a Wednesday night concert by Act of Congress.
Registration Details
Registration will open in early March, with an early bird rate of $75, ending May 1. Standard registration at a rate of $100 will run from May 2-July 8.
Registration link coming soon!
Preachers
Robert Smith Jr.
Robert Smith Jr. served as professor of Christian preaching at Beeson for more than 25 years and held the Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of Divinity. A renowned preacher and speaker, Smith has received a litany of awards and recognitions throughout his career. His book, Doctrine that Dances: Bringing Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life was named one of the 25 most influential books in preaching for the last 25 years in 2010 by Preaching Magazine. His research interests include the place of passion in preaching, the literary history of African American preaching, Christological preaching and theologies of preaching. Smith has contributed essays and articles to various books, magazines and commentaries.
Sam Ferguson
Samuel D. Ferguson has served as rector of The Falls Church Anglican since 2019, after joining church staff and being ordained in 2011. A Chester Count, PA native and Drexel University graduate, he went on to coach basketball and work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes before pursuing pastoral ministry. He holds degrees from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MDiv), Cambridge University (MPhil) and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (PhD). Sam is the author of The Spirit and Relational Anthropology in Paul (Mohr Siebeck, 2020), and Does God Care about Gender Identity? (Crossway, 2023).
Andy Miller
Andy Miller III serves as President and Professor of Preaching and Theology at Wesley Biblical Seminary. He’s a preacher, podcaster and author. Andy has degrees from Asbury University, Asbury Seminary, Southern Methodist University and the University of Manchester. He is an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church. His podcast, "More to the Story," has more than 750,000 downloads and views.
Scott Redd
Scott Redd serves as Lead Pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church. Before coming to Briarwood, Redd served as President and Stephen B. Elmer Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), he has also served congregations in Maryland, Washington, D.C., North Carolina and Florida and has taught extensively in theological education both in the United States and abroad. Redd holds a Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary and a PhD in Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures from The Catholic University of America. His teaching and writing focus on Old Testament theology, the Hebrew Scriptures and the unity of the Bible’s message in Christ. He is the author of The Wholeness Imperative: How Christ Unifies Our Desires, Identity, and Impact in the World and Ezekiel: A Prophet in Exile.
Adam Dooley
After pastoring churches in Kentucky, Alabama and Texas, Adam Dooley moved to Jackson, TN in 2019 to serve Englewood Baptist Church. In addition to his pastoral duties, he also teaches adjunctly at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. His published works include “Passion in the Pulpit”, “Hope When Life Unravels” and “Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Chronicles.” As a native Kentuckian, Dooley received his Bachelor of Arts from Clear Creak Bible College in 1999, along with his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in 2002 and 2006, respectively, from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Schedule
Schedule
Tuesday, July 14
12:00-2:30 Check-in begins
2:30-2:45 Opening Session/Theme Interpretation
2:45-3:30 First Preaching Service
3:45-4:30 Breakout Sessions
6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:00-7:45 Second Preaching Service
Wednesday, July 15
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:00-9:30 Morning Prayers
9:30-10:15 Breakout Sessions
10:45-11:45 Third Preaching Service
11:45-1:15 Lunch
1:15-2:15 Fourth Preaching Service
6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:00 Concert featuring Act of Congress (in front of Hodges Chapel)
Thursday, July 16
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:00-9:30 Morning Prayers
9:30-10:15 Breakout Sessions
10:30-11:30 Fifth Preaching Service
11:30-12:15 Reflection and Discussion
NOTE: All preaching services, along with the opening session and closing reflection and discussion, will take place in Hodges Chapel. All meals will be served in the Commons area. Breakout session locations are forthcoming.
