KANSAS CITY, Mo—The newly launched Midwestern Institute for Preaching and Preachers advances Midwestern Seminary’s mission to train leaders for the Church by equipping and encouraging preachers of God’s Word.
Through regional preaching workshops and an array of online resources, the Midwestern Institute for Preaching and Preachers aims to equip current and aspiring preachers through developing a supportive community of preachers, cultivating preaching skills, and encouraging preachers in their task.
“I am overjoyed to announce the launch of the Midwestern Seminary Institute for Preaching and Preachers,” said President Jason Allen. “Midwestern Seminary exists for the Church. And the truth of the matter is that no church will be healthier than the health of its pulpit. In this generation, there is no greater need for local churches than for pastors, elders, and teachers who are more faithfully equipped for more fruitful ministry, the ministry of preaching and teaching the Word of God.”
The vision for the Midwestern Institute for Preaching and Preachers grew from Midwestern Seminary’s mission to serve the Church, focusing on the central place of biblical exposition in building up the local church.
Jordan Wilbanks, vice president of church partnerships and director of the Midwestern Institute for Preaching and Preachers, shared, “The Institute for Preaching and Preachers is fueled and driven by the conviction we have at Midwestern Seminary for biblical preaching, a central, mission-level aim for how we aim to train those called for pastoral ministry in the church.”
Wilbanks serves as the first director of the Institute for Preaching and Preachers and has led Midwestern Seminary’s Church Partnerships department since 2016. In his role, he has helped develop and oversee various initiatives for church-based theological education, including For the Church Institute and Shepherds Fellowship (formerly Timothy Track).
He pointed to the Compelling Preaching Initiative of Lilly Endowment Inc., as a key factor in bringing the vision for a preaching institute to life this year. Through their support of Christian preaching, Lilly Endowment awarded a $1.25 million grant to Midwestern Seminary to establish the Institute for Preaching and Preachers.
Wilbanks said, “We are grateful to the Lilly Endowment for believing in our vision and for helping us to establish an excellent package of preaching-related resources that will further our mission.”
The resources offered by the Midwestern Institute for Preaching and Preachers include an online library of articles on preaching, Jason K. Allen’s Preaching and Preachers podcast, and preaching guides crafted by Midwestern Seminary faculty, graduates, and other scholars to assist preachers in their sermon preparation.
In addition, the principal feature of the institute will be preaching workshops held throughout the country.
“Our Preaching and Preachers Workshops will provide an opportunity for current and aspiring preachers to engage with other area preachers to sharpen their craft and deepen the well of prayerful encouragers,” Wilbanks said.
He went on to say, “With biblical exposition and faithful proclamation as the baseline, these workshops will help preachers think well together about perceptive application for the churches in their communities.”
Upcoming workshops will be hosted in early 2025 at The Trails Church in Celina, Texas; at First Baptist Church, O’Fallon, Missouri; and on Midwestern Seminary’s campus in Kansas City, Missouri.
Wilbanks said, “We will seek out and rely on experienced preachers in an area to take a share in the ownership of these workshops, leading discussions at tables with younger preachers to help them think well about various aspects of preaching.”
In addition to the goal of sharpening individual preachers, Wilbanks shared a vision for these workshops to strengthen relationships in the broader church.
“We want to create opportunities for preachers to constructively work together for each other with their congregations and communities in view,” he said. “We want to grow church-to-church gospel partnerships in the region with both eyes focused on the Great Commission.”
Reflecting on the purpose for the institute, he added, “My hope is that this new initiative will be one instrument the Lord uses to inspire a new age of Spirit-aflame, eternally-focused, pastoral, and applicable Christian preaching.”
To access resources from the Midwestern Institute for Preaching and Preachers and to register for an upcoming workshop, click here.
