Lee University

« Back to Recent News

Pentecostal Preaching Center to Host Third Annual Fall Conference

by Kamea Sutherland

Cleveland, TN (10/29/2026) — The Lee University Paul L. Walker Center for Pentecostal Preaching will host its third annual fall conference celebrating Pentecostal preaching Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14.

The conference is made possible by the $1.24 million grant Lee recently received from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Compelling Preaching Initiative. The aim of the initiative is to foster and support preaching that inspires, encourages, and guides people to come to know and love God and to live out their Christian faith more fully.

"Preaching is the most important public speaking that can ever be done, and as such, every preacher needs to be the best they can be at the craft of preaching," said Dr. Steve Hall, executive director of the Paul L. Walker Center for Pentecostal Preaching and associate professor of pastoral ministry at Lee. "The annual preaching conference is dedicated to training Pentecostal preachers to be the best they can be in this cultural moment."

The conference will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday in the Lee University Cornerstone Chapel with worship and a message from Dr. Cruz Paniagua, founder of the Church Planting Center in Latin America (CPX), and leader of Xpan Global, an organization focused on strategic multiplication.

Eight seminars will take place on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the School of Theology & Ministry, led by Lee faculty, alumni, pastors, and other church leaders.

One 9 a.m. session will feature Renee Talley, Dr. Giovy Sanders, and Rev. LaDon Hall presenting "The Pastor's Spouse." In a concurrent session, Mo Huggins, David Cooper, and Dr. Brian Sutton will present "Best Practices of Pentecostal Preaching in the 21st Century."

Dr. Julie Martinez, Dr. Preston Williams II, and Dr. Bill Woodruff will lead a 10:45 a.m. workshop titled "Preaching to This Cultural Moment." The other 10:45 a.m. slot features a workshop led by Dr. Fred Garmon and Dr. Mark Walker titled "Preaching as Leadership."

At 2:15 p.m., Dr. Lance Bacon will facilitate "Autopsy of Ministry Death and Resurrection," a conversation with Dr. John McCloud and Anthony McDaniel. Also at 2:15 p.m. is "Preaching with Technology," a talk with Jeremy Isaacs and Gary Bobb about blending faith and technology.

At 4 p.m., Dr. Tim Harper and Dr. Jeff McAffee will lead "The Art of Pentecostal Sermon Construction." The final session, also at 4 p.m., features "Preaching Missions" with Dr. David Ramirez and Paniagua.

Guests may also attend a Saturday luncheon featuring a panel discussion on the "Heroes of Pentecostal Preaching," presented by Rev. Carl Hartt, Dr. Raymond Culpepper Sr., and Dr. Cathy Payne.

During the conference, the new Lee U Preaching App will be launched publicly.

"This app will host a deep and wide vault of preaching resources, from searchable access to historical preachers' sermons to thoughtfully curated content on all five preaching pillars: Ministerial Soul Health, Sermon Construction, Cultural Competency, Pulpit Technology, and Preaching as Leadership," said Hall.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons J.K. Jr. and Eli through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders' wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion.

The Paul L. Walker Center for Pentecostal Preaching empowers Pentecostal preachers to share the Gospel effectively in today's world. Through teaching ministerial soul health, biblical interpretation and sermon construction, cultural engagement competency, and media technology competency, we equip both active and aspiring preachers with essential skills to meet the diverse needs of contemporary audiences.

The conference is free and open to the preaching center's mentors, mentees, and other aspiring and existing Pentecostal ministers. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com.

For more information about the preaching center and conference, contact Hall at shall@leeuniversity.edu or visit leeuniversity.edu/preaching-center/.

Media Attachments

Dr. Paul L. Walker

Dr. Cruz Paniagua

Copyright © 2026 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out