Dave L. Bland Annual Lecture Series | May 18, 2026
Preachers Conference | May 18-20, 2026
Sponsored by the College of Bible and Ministry and Harding School of Theology, this three-day event is designed to provide resources for preaching, especially materials to aid preachers in the exposition of God’s Word. The conference is intended to be a time of purposeful retreat for co-ministers in the gospel. It is our hope that all who attend will leave with significant, real progress toward the development of a preaching series as well as a renewed commitment to study and proclaim God’s Word.
This new three-day format allows for more offerings and presenters, as well as greater opportunities for networking and fellowship.
Although the conference is designed by preachers for preachers, all serious Bible students are welcome to attend, especially those who teach Bible classes or lead congregations.
Early bird pricing available until Jan. 31
Dave L Bland Annual Lecture Series featured speaker:
Dr. Robert Smith
Cerebration and Celebration in Preaching:
What God Has Joined Together
Monday, May 18, 2026
6:30 p.m.
Dr. Robert Smith holds a doctorate from Southern Baptist University and is a distinguished professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He is the author of Doctrine that Dances: Bringing Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life (B&H, 2008)
Bill T. Arnold is the Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary. He holds a Ph.D. from Hebrew Union College, and while at Asbury, he has held administrative positions first as director of postgraduate studies and then as vice president of academic affairs/provost.
His research encompasses Old Testament and ancient Near Eastern studies both separately and in combination. He specializes in Pentateuchal interpretation and is currently working on a commentary on Deuteronomy. He has worked on all aspects of Old Testament interpretation, including Hebrew language and the history of Israelite religion. Past publications have taken up specific portions of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis and 1-2 Samuel), as well as a grammar ("A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax," with John H. Choi), and introductory materials ("Who Were the Babylonians?" and "Encountering the Old Testament," with Bryan E. Beyer).
Kenneth Collins is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, who at a very young age developed a love and passion for music and art. He attended Harding University where he met his life partner and love, Kimberly Collins, while singing with the Belles & Beaux and Harding Chorus. Kenneth has been directing choirs and ensembles for nearly 30 years, including Higher Degree, Melodious Testimony, Central Arkansas Youth Chorus and Central Arkansas Mass Chorus. He currently sings with Chosen in Dallas and leads Purpose A cappella. He has also been a passionate student of writing and arranging music but finds his peace, strength and release through worship. He attributes his growing knowledge to the many lives and examples that have influenced his ability and has made it his mission in life to make every note worth the story it tells and every word sound as compelling as the spirit behind the music. Kenneth served 14 years as minister of music and as one of the worship leaders for the Rose City Community Church of Christ in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and is currently a member of the worship ministry at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ. He and Kimberly have four children, Kyndal, Kamryn, Kaycee and Karah.
Mike Cope and his wife, Diane, live in Abilene, Texas. He is the author of five books, including 2011’s Megan’s Secrets, and he edited Wineskins magazine with Rubel Shelly for 12 years. Following a seven-year ministry at College Church of Christ in Searcy, he preached at Highland Church of Christ in Abilene for 18 years and taught as an adjunct professor at Abilene Christian University for 15 years. Since 2012 he has served as director of ministry outreach for Pepperdine University, directing four initiatives funded by Lilly Endowment Inc.: “Compelling Preaching,” “Thriving in Ministry,” “Thriving Congregations” and “Rural and Small Towns." He and Diane have been married 48 years and have two children, Matt and Chris, and four grandchildren.
Chris Kearney is the preaching minister at the WindSong Church of Christ in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area where he met his wife. After receiving a degree in screenwriting, he was a member of the Center for Advanced Ministry Training program at Harding. He also completed a Master of Divinity from Harding School of Theology and is currently a doctoral candidate in preaching at Baylor University. Research interests include the crossover between preaching and film making, specifically, tension and reflection in preaching. He and his wife of 17 years have two children, Noah and Miah.
Dr. Peter Rice has been dean and professor of New Testament at Harding School of Theology since its move to Searcy in August 2024. Prior to that, he taught in the College of Bible and Ministry for 11 years. He has a Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament from Baylor University. He and his wife, Abby, have three children, Soren, Asher and Annelise. He is a long-time member of Cloverdale Church of Christ.
B. Chris Simpson is a minister, educator, consultant and certified enneagram coach. He is passionate about serving emerging generations, education, social justice and work in the local church. He holds a bachelor’s degree in youth ministry and Christian education from Harding University, as well as a master’s degree in ministry from Harding School of Theology. He has served churches, nonprofits, state prisons and schools in St. Louis, Missouri, Memphis, Tennessee, and Dallas, Texas. He currently serves as youth minister to the Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ and dean of instruction at Ignite Community School, a public K-12 campus. He also enjoys traveling throughout the country speaking. He and his wife and best friend, Halley, have two children, Elle and Grey.
Dr. Robert Smith Jr. holds a Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; a Doctor of Sacred Theology (honorary) from Temple Community Bible College; and a Doctor of Divinity Honoris Causa from Newburgh Theological Seminary. He currently serves as a distinguished professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School of Samford University where he previously served as professor of Christian preaching and held the Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of Divinity. He is a contributing editor for a study of Christian ministry in the African American church, Preparing for Christian Ministry, and is co-editor of A Mighty Long Journey. He is the author of several books including, Doctrine That Dances: Bringing Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life (B&H Publishing Group, Nashville: 2008) which was selected as the 2008 Preaching Book of the Year by Preaching Magazine and 2009 Preaching Book of the Year by Christianity Today’s preaching.com. He has spoken at more than 160 universities, colleges and seminaries in the United States, Great Britain, Middle East, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean. He and his wife, Dr. Wanda Taylor-Smith, are the parents of four adult children (two in heaven) and eight grandchildren.
Dr. Keith Stanglin is the executive director of the Center for Christian Studies in Austin, Texas, and professor of historical theology at Harding School of Theology. He previously taught at Harding University, Austin Graduate School of Theology and Heritage Christian University. His academic interests are in church history, Reformation and post-Reformation theology, the history of biblical interpretation, moral theology, biblical studies and Arminianism.
Dr. Stanglin has written or edited more than a dozen books and many scholarly and popular articles and reviews. He is editor of the Journal of Christian Studies. His most recent books are A Voice in the Wilderness (2025) and Super-Abundant Grace: Reflections on Romans (2022).
He is the minister at University Avenue Church of Christ in Austin, Texas. He has previously served on the ministry staff for churches in Oklahoma, Tennessee, Michigan and Texas and has preached in many states and foreign countries.
He and his wife, Amanda, have three children and a granddaughter.
Bob Turner currently leads a multicultural church for the city of Memphis, Tennessee, at the White Station Church of Christ Iglesia de Cristo. He holds degrees from Harding University, Harding School of Theology, the University of Illinois, and Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. His free time is spent exploring the city, getting stumped by crossword puzzles, baking pizza, drinking too much coffee, and wondering if the Browns will ever win the Super Bowl. He and his wife, Andrea, have two daughters, Julia and Kathryn.
Bob Turner currently leads a multicultural church for the city of Memphis, Tennessee, at the White Station Church of Christ Iglesia de Cristo. He holds degrees from Harding University, Harding School of Theology, the University of Illinois, and Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. His free time is spent exploring the city, getting stumped by crossword puzzles, baking pizza, drinking too much coffee, and wondering if the Browns will ever win the Super Bowl. He and his wife, Andrea, have two daughters, Julia and Kathryn.
Jared Mayes serves as lead minister for the Southside Church of Christ in Rogers, Arkansas. Before moving to Rogers in 2022, he previously served in Leominster, Massachusetts, and McGehee, Arkansas. He holds a Master of Divinity from Harding School of Theology and a bachelor’s degree in Bible from Harding as well. In addition to preaching, he works with the Kerusso Experience, a preacher training camp held annually at Harding. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in preaching at Anderson University. On his days off, he loves to mountain bike and also writes and podcasts for a Star Wars website, youtini.com. He and his wife, Rebecca, have two daughters, Ava and Lucie.
Chris Kearney is the preaching minister at the WindSong Church of Christ in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area where he met his wife. After receiving a degree in screenwriting, he was a member of the Center for Advanced Ministry Training program at Harding. He also completed a Master of Divinity from Harding School of Theology and is currently a doctoral candidate in preaching at Baylor University. Research interests include the crossover between preaching and film making, specifically, tension and reflection in preaching. He and his wife of 17 years have two children, Noah and Miah.
Jimmy Adcox has served as a minister with the Southwest Church of Christ in Jonesboro, Arkansas, since 1977. He retired as lead minister in 2022 and continues part time equipping disciples and disciple makers. He holds a Master of Theology from Harding School of Theology and a Doctor of Ministry from Abilene Christian University. He is a partner with Hope Network Ministries and associate director with Renew.org. He and his wife, Ann, have three children, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A native son of Jackson, Mississippi, Sammie Berry graduated from Harding in 1979. He is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas and serves on several boards and commissions including being chairman of the Dallas Area Preachers and Church Leaders, co-chair of the City of Dallas Anti-Hate Advisory Council and president of the United Christian Basketball League. He also works with MARCH, a group of Dallas-area ministers who are committed to: Ministry for Awareness, Relationship, Change and Healing.
He has faithfully served the Dallas West Church of Christ in various roles for 46 years including 25 years as senior minister and 22 years as elder. He and his wife of 46 years, Renee, live in Duncanville, Texas, and have two daughters, Jessica and Jennifer.
A native son of Jackson, Mississippi, Sammie Berry graduated from Harding in 1979. He is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas and serves on several boards and commissions including being chairman of the Dallas Area Preachers and Church Leaders, co-chair of the City of Dallas Anti-Hate Advisory Council and president of the United Christian Basketball League. He also works with MARCH, a group of Dallas-area ministers who are committed to: Ministry for Awareness, Relationship, Change and Healing.
He has faithfully served the Dallas West Church of Christ in various roles for 46 years including 25 years as senior minister and 22 years as elder. He and his wife of 46 years, Renee, live in Duncanville, Texas, and have two daughters, Jessica and Jennifer.
Dr. Dave L. Bland was born and raised on a farm in northern Colorado. He has preached in congregations across the country, including the Eastside Church of Christ in Portland, Oregon, and White Station Church of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee. He first taught courses at Columbia Christian College in Portland for 14 years. In 1993, he moved to Memphis to begin work at Harding School of Theology as professor of preaching, where he taught for 30 years. He is the author of several books, including Proverbs and the Formation of Character (Cascade) and Creation, Character, and Wisdom: Rethinking the Roots of Environmental Ethics (Wipf & Stock). He is now retired professor emeritus at HST and serves as an elder at White Station Church of Christ. He lives on an 80-acre farm in Somerville, Tennessee. He and his wife, Nancy Cochran, have three sons and six grandchildren.
Mike Cope and his wife, Diane, live in Abilene, Texas. He is the author of five books, including 2011’s Megan’s Secrets, and he edited Wineskins magazine with Rubel Shelly for 12 years. Following a seven-year ministry at College Church of Christ in Searcy, he preached at Highland Church of Christ in Abilene for 18 years and taught as an adjunct professor at Abilene Christian University for 15 years. Since 2012 he has served as director of ministry outreach for Pepperdine University, directing four initiatives funded by Lilly Endowment Inc.: “Compelling Preaching,” “Thriving in Ministry,” “Thriving Congregations” and “Rural and Small Towns." He and Diane have been married 48 years and have two children, Matt and Chris, and four grandchildren.
The Dave L. Bland Lecture in Homiletics is sponsored by Harding School of Theology. This annual address highlights the place of preaching both in the academy and in the church. The lecture is named in honor of Dr. Dave L. Bland, retired professor emeritus of preaching at Harding School of Theology. Dr. Bland taught Preaching at HST for 30 years. The impact of his work in the academy and the church is profound.
Dave L. Bland was born and raised on a farm in northern Colorado. He married his wife, Nancy Cochran Bland, in 1976. They have three sons and six grandchildren. Dave has preached in congregations across the country, including the Eastside Church of Christ in Portland, Oregon, and the White Station Church of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee. He first taught courses at Columbia Christian College in Portland for 14 years. In 1993, he moved to Memphis to begin work at Harding School of Theology as professor of preaching, where he taught for 30 years. Bland is the author of several books, including Proverbs and the Formation of Character (Cascade) and Creation, Character, and Wisdom: Rethinking the Roots of Environmental Ethics (Wipf & Stock). He is now a retired professor emeritus at HST and serves the White Station church as an elder. He lives on an 80-acre farm in Somerville, Tennessee.
Education
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Bible and speech from Harding, a Master of Divinity from Abilene Christian University, a Doctor of Ministry from Western Seminary, and doctorate in rhetoric from the University of Washington.
Honors
2010–2021: “Chrysostom Club,” Evangelical Homiletic Society
1991–2021: Life-time Achievement Award, Academy of Homiletics
2016–2017: Distinguished Teacher of the Year, Harding University
2010: Outstanding Alumnus Award, Harding University
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