Dynamic Preaching &
Transformative Training

Gain fresh insights, connect with passionate preachers—register now!

The South Florida community is invited to hear dynamic preaching and experience transformational teaching at Palm Beach Atlantic University’s first annual Preaching Festival! 

Hear dynamic preaching from Dr. Matthew Kim of Baylor University and Dr. Karen Reed, who earned her Ph.D. in Practical Theology from PBA. Three of PBA’s Voices for Change students will give us all the unique experience of hearing messages preached in English, Spanish and French, with translation available for each message. We’ll also hear a message preached by a current PBA School of Ministry student.

Both seasoned and emerging preachers are invited to experience transformational teaching  from Dr. Matthew Kim, Dr. Bernie Cueto, and experienced workshop leaders. We’ll receive their powerful insights on:

• how preaching starts with the preacher’s spiritual formation
• how to understand the people who will hear our messages
• how to craft and deliver life-changing messages

What will set apart our Preaching Festival from other events is that the entire conference will be interactive. During every session, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and share their own insights. We’ll worship together, pray together, learn together, and spend time reflecting on how to take what we experience into our everyday lives and ministries.

October 3, 2025
8:30 AM-12:00 PM
Session 2
Weyenberg Center

Session 2
We’ll begin with a continental breakfast, followed by worshipping God together. Then, one of the country’s leading experts on preaching, Baylor University’s Dr. Matthew Kim, will share his insights on The Preacher’s Formation: how preaching starts with the preacher’s spiritual formation. Dr. Kim’s teaching will include an engaging Question and Answer segment, followed by several workshops led by guests who will explore topics related to The Preacher’s Formation. 

8:30AM: Continental Breakfast
9:00AM: Session 2 Begins
9:20AM: Interactive Plenary Session #1: The Preacher’s Formation: Dr. Matthew Kim
“The Formation of a Preaching Life: Prayer and Vulnerability”
10:30AM: Break
10:45AM: Interactive Workshops: The Preacher’s Formation
Speakers: Dr. Shawn Allen, Fr. Foye Belyea, Rev. Brian Brookins, Dr. David Escobar, Aimee Nelson (Bilingual)
12PM: Lunch 

October 3, 2025
1:00 PM-4:45 PM
Session 3
Weyenberg Center

Session 3
Following lunch and another opportunity to worship together, we’ll hear a powerful message from Dr. Karen Reed, “Pushing the Envelope”, co-pastor of The Purple Church in Miami. Attendees will have an opportunity to interact with Dr. Reed’s message through asking questions and sharing their insights.

Attendees may want to walk (less than 1/2 mile) to City Place (700 S Rosemary Ave
~ West Palm Beach, FL 33401) to eat dinner at one of the more than 30 restaurants. 

Dr. Mathew Kim will then speak on The Preacher’s Context: how to understand the people who will hear our messages. This teaching will also be followed by a Question and Answer segment. The afternoon will conclude with several workshops led by guests who will explore topics related to The Preacher’s Context.  

1PM: Session 3 Begins
1:15PM: Sermon delivered by Dr. Karen Reed: “Pushing the Envelope”
1:45PM: Interactive Discussion with Dr. Karen Reed
2:00PM: Break
2:20PM: Interactive Plenary Session #2: The Preacher’s Context: Dr. Matthew Kim
“Preaching to a Divided Nation”
3:30PM: Break
3:45-4:45PM: Interactive Workshops: The Preacher’s Context
Speakers: Dr. Ivelisse Valentin, Dr. Terriel Byrd, Dr. Ryan Gladwin, Dr. Evens Jules, Rev. Daniel Rivera (Bilingual)

October 3, 2025
6:00 PM-9:00 PM
Session 4
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

Session 4: Florida College of Preachers Induction
Our Friday evening session in the sanctuary of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church will be dedicated to honoring four preachers whose transformative preaching voices have shared the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ with the South Florida community. These men and women will be inducted into the Florida College of Preachers, the inaugural class of a community of preachers who continue to shape our region.

After beginning with worship, we’ll hear a powerful message from Dr. Matthew Kim. Following the beautiful time we will spend honoring the five Florida College of Preachers inductees, attendees will be given an opportunity to interact with those seven preachers through asking questions and hearing the insights of this special group of preachers. 

6:30PM: Session 4 Begins
6:50PM: Sermon delivered by Dr. Matthew Kim “Successful Suffering”
7:25PM: Honoring and Inducting the 2025 Class of the Florida College of Preachers 
Rev. Fr. Reginald Jean-Mary
Rev. Dr. Pablo A. Jiménez
Rev. Dr. Evens Jules
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Ríos
8:20-9:00PM: Interactive Discussion with the 2025 Class of the Florida College of Preachers

Matthew D. Kim is Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Leadership, holder of the George W. Truett Endowed Chair in Preaching and Evangelism, and director of the PhD in Preaching program at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary.

He received degrees from Carleton College, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and The University of Edinburgh. Before joining the Truett faculty in 2022, Dr. Kim taught at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary for ten years and served in pastoral ministry for ten years prior to teaching in seminaries. A past president of the Evangelical Homiletics Society, Matt serves on the editorial board of The Journal of the Evangelical Homiletics Society. He is a member of the Evangelical Homiletics Society and a senior fellow of the Center for Pastor Theologians. Matt is the author and editor of several books, including Preaching to People in Pain, Preaching with Cultural Intelligence, Preaching to a Divided Nation, What’s God Saying Here? and the forthcoming, Becoming a Friendlier Church. He recently completed writing a comprehensive introduction to preaching textbook with Baker Academic which will release in Fall 2026.

A native of Illinois, Matt is a Chicago sports fan and enjoys playing basketball. He is married to Sarah and they have three sons. He and his family are active members of Highland Baptist Church in Waco, Texas.

For nearly 20 years, Bernie Cueto has served as campus pastor to almost 4,000 students, faculty, and staff at Palm Beach Atlantic University, where he is also Associate Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies. His greatest passion is seeing God transform lives through the power of His Word though a good football game and a perfectly timed dad joke run a close second.

Bernie has also served as a church consultant, itinerant minister, and church planter. In addition to his work at PBA, he is Teaching Pastor for Family Church (Gardens Campus), where he helps lead and train preachers across 19 campuses. As a preaching coach and consultant, he equips preachers to communicate God’s Word with greater clarity, confidence, and competence by refining their skills and sharpening their delivery.

He earned a B.A. in English Literature from Florida International University, and a Th.M. in Biblical Exposition and Pastoral Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary, where he also completed his Ph.D. in New Testament Studies. Bernie and his wife, Ana, have been blessed with three wonderful children.