On January 16-17, 2025, the 10th Annual Preaching Lectureship organized by the Applied Theology Department of Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies with the theme "Preaching Life-Changing Stories." Dr. Ginger Ketting-Weller, the AIIAS President, in her written remarks formally opened the lectureship and encouraged the participants, "At the end of this lectureship, you will be all have been blessed."
In attendance were students and staff from AIIAS, as well as church administrators and pastors from the various conferences in the Philippines. Dr. Ricardo Gonzalez, the Dean of the AIIAS Theology Seminary, welcomed the participants and stated. “We are very pleased that despite your activities and agenda you decided to come to AIIAS. AIIAS is here to serve the church, and to provide the best resource we can in order for you to be successful in God's work." He stressed the importance of the theme, "Preaching Life-Changing Stories."
"As Paul says, we need to preach the Word, but the way in which we convey the message is very important because we want people to listen to what we have to say. For this reason, we are having this lectureship event,” continued Dr. Gonzales.
Dr. Jim Park, this year’s featured speaker, has contributed significantly to Adventist education and preaching and is no stranger to AIIAS. As Dr. Richard Nelson, AIIAS Vice President for Academic Administration, highlighted in his welcome remarks, "It's a pleasure to hear of the dedication of Dr. Park in giving so much of his life in service at AIIAS, and then coming back to check on us and share the enthusiasm."
Dr. Park asserted that the Bible (God’s Word) contains wonderful stories that can touch people’s lives. He encouraged attendees to use biblical narratives as powerful tools for sermon delivery. The lectures covered five topics: Learning the Story, Connecting the Story, Building the Story, Studying the Story, and Telling the Story. Through the sessions, Dr. Park showed that well-presented biblical stories can be powerful sermons for the congregations.
The Preaching Lectureship closed on Friday, January 17, 2025 with all registered participants receiving certificates of attendance. However, as an extension of his contribution to campus, Dr. Park was invited to preach during vespers and divine service at AIIAS Church on Sabbath, January 18, 2025, where he demonstrated practical applications of "preaching life-changing stories."
The 10th Annual Preaching Lectureship has been important for pastors in the Philippines with its focus on public evangelism preaching. Under this lectureship, they were guided in sermon writing as it relates to the spiritual needs of the members of their church, and empowered with skills in giving meaningful and transformative messages.
Dr. Jim Park currently teaches for Loma Linda University, Chinese Adventist Seminary and Adventist University of Africa, and also serves as adjunct professor at AIIAS. He pastored in the Southern California Conference for over 25 years, and taught for over 12 years at AIIAS Theological Seminary. He received his PhD in Discipleship and Mission from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Photo credits: AIIAS Public Relations Office 
