Current Events

First Conference

The World Mission University Preaching Center held the 2025 First Conference on Monday, March 10, at New York Queens Presbyterian Church. This annual conference focused on “Immigrant Ministry and Mission in a Changing Era” and was organized as a conference for pastors in the New York area. The conference, which lasted until 4:00 PM, included sessions on the following topics:

  • Preaching and Ministry (Rev. Young Gil Kim)

  • Spirituality in Ministry (Prof. Jongsung Nam)

  • Wisdom in Ministry (Rev. Young Gil Kim)

  • Ministry and Family (Prof. Yoon Jung Choi)

  • Ministry and Small Groups (Prof. Seon Mook Shin)

  • Practical Preaching (President Sung Jin Im)

Research Activities

Research activities are a key component, with two preaching scholars selected each year to publish a total of ten academic papers on preaching over five years.

In 2024, the following scholars authored research papers:

  • Kang San Kim: Preaching Theology for Peripheral Self-Deconstruction

  • Jongsung Nam: Biblical Interpretation from a Homiletical Perspective

  • Jae Hyun Jung: Context and the Word

  • Sung Woo Cho: A Study on Effective Preaching Styles

For 2025, the planned research topics include:

  • Sung Wook Shin: Strategies for Pulpit Transitions in the Post-COVID Era

  • Soo Young Kim: Expository Preaching Using the Five Ws and One H Method

The university librarian will continuously search for articles and project materials related to preaching.

In the second year of research (2025), the Preaching Project will focus on how to connect the core ideas of biblical texts with sermon outlines, emphasizing the rhetorical structure of the New Testament as a foundation for preaching.

Resource Sharing

Research findings, journal articles, and discoveries will be presented at conferences, workshops, and meetings and made available through the existing newsletter and the Preaching Blog (preaching.wmu.edu).

First Workshop

The first workshop, an extension of the conference, will take place online for eight weeks from Thursday, March 20 (6:00–7:30 PM) to May 8. Each session will consist of a 45-minute lecture and a 45-minute discussion.

The workshop will cover:

  • Trends in homiletics,

  • Various theoretical concepts,

  • Training by preachers and scholars,

  • Preaching guidelines reflecting key conference themes, and

  • An additional focus on text-centered preaching styles.

This workshop will include educational content and preaching practice. Upon completion, participants will develop sermons that are:

  1. Faithful to the biblical text,

  2. Logically clear and well-structured,

  3. Engaging for listeners, and

  4. Relevant to the needs of the audience.

Participants will receive a “Preaching Competency Intermediate Certificate.”

Second Conference

The second conference, introducing the second workshop, will be held on Thursday, June 26 (12:00–3:00 PM) in the 5th-floor Smart Lecture Hall. The conference will feature inspiring and exemplary preachers and pastors as guest speakers. These speakers will present recent trends and developments in homiletics and discuss challenges and solutions in the field based on their personal experiences.

The primary objectives of the conference are to:

  • Encourage preachers from diverse regions to participate in preaching workshops,

  • Expand networking and resources for preachers, and

  • Provide practical support for preaching ministries.

Additionally, preaching experts will present research papers on:

  • The importance of hermeneutical and literary approaches in sermon preparation, and

  • Preaching styles based on various biblical literary forms.

The conference will also share case studies of senior pastors who exemplify effective ministry in their local churches.

Before the event, participants will have time for a light lunch and fellowship. There is no registration fee, but attendees must submit a registration form and complete a conference evaluation form.

(Registration Form: Name, Church, Position, Ministry, Email, Phone Number, Address)

Latino Conference

The Latino Conference will be held on Saturday, August 9 (10:00 AM–2:00 PM) in the 6th-floor Chapel.

Second Workshop

The second workshop will take place online for eight weeks from Thursday, July 3 (6:00–7:30 PM) to August 21.

This workshop is designed for those who completed the first workshop to further develop their preaching skills. Participants will have ample time to write complete sermon manuscripts and engage in preaching practice with peer evaluations.

Through this training, preachers will:

  • Gain specific and applicable preaching methodologies tailored for the Korean American community,

  • Conduct both diachronic and synchronic studies on preaching,

  • Receive challenges and inspiration to enhance spirituality, and

  • Develop a small-group environment for innovative sermon paradigms.

Participants will receive a “Preaching Competency Advanced Certificate.”

Retreat

The retreat will take place on August 25–26 and will invite participants of the second workshop.

This gathering aims to enhance preaching competency and spiritual growth by:

  • Exchanging ideas on preaching among pastors and church leaders,

  • Discussing challenges, and

  • Sharing experiences to foster mutual development and effective gospel communication.

Latino Workshop

The Latino Workshop will be held for eight weeks from Monday, August 18 (10:00–11:30 AM) to October 6.

Preaching Center Sponsorship Program

The World Mission University Preaching Center is seeking partners who wish to support pastoral preaching development.

Churches and pastors can participate by:

  • Engaging in prayer support,

  • Attending various events, and

  • Contributing to the mission of strengthening pastoral preaching competency.

This ongoing effort will equip pastors and positively impact churches. A sponsor appreciation event will be held in November.