Life Pacific University’s McPherson Preaching Institute is entering its third year with growing momentum, expanding resources for ministry leaders while continuing its commitment to equipping the next generation of Spirit-empowered preachers.
That work will come together this fall as LPU hosts the 3rd Annual MPI Preaching Conference on Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the university’s San Dimas campus.
This year’s theme, “The Pulpit & the Public Square,” will explore the calling of preachers to faithfully proclaim the Gospel while thoughtfully engaging the world around them.
Registration is now open for the 2026 MPI Preaching Conference. Early-bird registration is just $20 through September 21, offering pastors, ministry leaders, students and emerging preachers an accessible opportunity to invest in their calling, sharpen their craft and connect with others committed to the future of preaching.
Two Voices Helping Shape the Conversation
The 2026 conference will feature keynote speakers Natalie Runion, founder of Raised to Stay, and Pastor Russell Johnson, lead pastor of Pursuit Northwest Church.
Runion is a pastor’s kid, author and longtime ministry leader whose work through Raised to Stay speaks to Christians who have experienced hurt or disillusionment within the Church while remaining committed to Jesus, healing and restoration.
She is the author of Raised to Stay and The House That Jesus Built, and her ministry emphasizes repentance, reconciliation, revival and longevity in faith and ministry.
Pastor Russell Johnson leads Pursuit Northwest Church, a multi-campus church in the Pacific Northwest. His ministry has become known for its emphasis on biblical conviction, revival, cultural engagement and the role of the Church in the public square.
Together, Runion and Johnson bring distinct perspectives to a conference centered on one of the most pressing questions facing today’s preachers: How do we remain faithful to Scripture while effectively speaking into the culture around us?
Learn more about the 2026 MPI Preaching Conference and featured speakers.
Equipping Preachers for More Than the Pulpit
The annual conference has become one of the most visible expressions of the McPherson Preaching Institute, but the work of MPI extends far beyond a single gathering.
MPI exists to train preachers with a Pentecostal ethos while emphasizing biblical integrity, cultural relevance and contemporary insight. Its work centers around Community, Content and Conference, giving current and future preachers opportunities to learn from one another, access practical ministry resources and grow through intentional training and mentorship.
The Institute is named for Aimee Semple McPherson, the pioneering Pentecostal evangelist and founder of The Foursquare Church whose legacy is closely connected to the history of Life Pacific University.
McPherson was known not only for the conviction of her preaching, but also for her ability to communicate the Gospel in creative and culturally relevant ways. That legacy continues to shape MPI’s vision for developing preachers who are deeply rooted in Scripture and prepared to communicate effectively to the world around them.
Investing in the Next Generation of Preachers
One of MPI’s growing areas of emphasis is giving emerging preachers opportunities to move beyond the classroom and gain meaningful ministry experience.
Through the MPI Mentorship Program, LPU ministry students have been paired with experienced pastors who provide coaching, mentorship and opportunities to preach in local churches.
The program allows students to learn directly from seasoned ministry leaders while developing their own voice, confidence and understanding of what faithful preaching looks like in real ministry settings.
That emphasis reflects MPI’s larger vision: not simply teaching students about preaching, but developing preachers through practice, mentorship and meaningful relationships with the local church.
Resources for Pastors Beyond Campus
MPI has also continued to expand its impact beyond Life Pacific University through the MPI Ministry Toolkit, a growing collection of digital resources for pastors, ministry leaders and students.
The Toolkit includes teaching, practical resources and training from ministry practitioners and LPU faculty, covering topics such as preaching, leadership, women in ministry, NextGen ministry and preaching as worship.
MPI has also worked to preserve Pentecostal history through the digitization of sermons from Aimee Semple McPherson, helping make her preaching and theological legacy accessible to a new generation of pastors, students and scholars.
In 2025, the Ministry Toolkit served more than 150 subscribers, while Toolkit content also began being incorporated into LPU’s Preaching Practicum coursework.
Explore the MPI Ministry Toolkit and available resources.
A Growing Community of Preachers
The first two MPI Preaching Conferences brought hundreds of pastors, ministry leaders and students together for training, worship and conversations around the work of preaching.
The inaugural MPI Preaching Conference focused on Preaching for Unity, establishing the conference as a place for an intercultural and intergenerational community of preachers to gather and grow.
The 2025 MPI Preaching Conference continued that momentum with the theme Preaching Truth in an Era of Lies, bringing ministry leaders and scholars together around the importance of biblical truth in a rapidly changing culture.
Now, The Pulpit & the Public Square carries that conversation forward.
Through keynote messages and practical workshops, the 2026 gathering will challenge current and future preachers to consider how faithful biblical proclamation interacts with the communities, questions and cultural realities they encounter every day.
For Life Pacific University, the growth of MPI represents both a connection to its Pentecostal heritage and an investment in the future of the Church.
Through conferences, mentorship, digital resources and a growing network of ministry leaders, the McPherson Preaching Institute is creating opportunities for preachers to deepen their understanding of Scripture, sharpen their communication and faithfully carry the Gospel into the places God has called them to serve.
The 3rd Annual MPI Preaching Conference: The Pulpit & the Public Square takes place Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Life Pacific University in San Dimas, California.
Early-bird registration is $20 through September 21.
