Published on July 20, 2026 by Neal Embry  
PCstory

Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School hosted its third annual preaching conference, July 14-16.  The theme of this year’s conference—“Manifold Wisdom: The Riches of Preaching Across Christian Traditions”—celebrated preaching contributions from five Protestant traditions: Baptist, Anglican, Wesleyan, Reformed (Presbyterian) and African American.

During the conference, five preachers from each of the traditions delivered a message in Hodges Chapel. Breakout sessions led by Beeson faculty focused on preaching with the church fathers to preaching from various books or parts of the Bible.

Scott Redd, lead pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, preached from Genesis 12, reminding attendees they are part of the story that began with Abram.

“If you are in Christ, you are part of the whole story of the Old Testament,” Redd said. “You are brought near. You who were two are now one in Christ. You who were strangers are citizens. You who were once strangers and sojourners now have a stake in the land.”

Adam Dooley, pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee, preached from Matthew 7, emphasizing the need to build a foundation on Christ to escape the storm of God’s judgment.

“Religious activity is no substitute for relational affection,” Dooley said. “When we preach the Word of God, it is our assignment to prepare our people for that storm.”

Ben Fischer, rector of Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church in Nampa, Idaho, preached from Psalm 23, focusing on the need for “times of refreshing,” which come in relationship with Christ.

“The shepherd knows what the sheep don’t, and He has a plan,” Fischer said. “When we walk in the right paths that He said are the good way, He is glorified and He is honored.”

Robert Smith Jr., former preaching professor at Beeson, preached from Acts 18 and about the need to know Christ, not just know about Him.

“You can take the Bible and know this book, but no transformation comes about by just reading this book. You need the spoken Word, which points to the revealed Word, Christ,” Smith said.

Closing out the conference was Andy Miller, president and professor of preaching and theology at Wesley Biblical Seminary. Preaching from Exodus, Miller said the Egyptians were not defeated at the Red Sea, because Joseph’s words from Genesis revealed that God would come to their aid. God made a way and continues to make a way for His people today, Miller said.

“Dead ends die when faced with the reality of the resurrection,” Miller said. “Jesus’ resurrection becomes the example of our own future resurrection.”

Beeson’s annual preaching conference is facilitated by the Spirit and Power Project, part of the Robert Smith Jr. Preaching Institute.

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 35 Most Beautiful College Campuses, Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.