What does it mean to preach faithfully in a Pentecostal context today? How do Scripture, theology, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the realities of ministry come together in the life of a preacher?
Those are some of the questions at the heart of Word & Spirit, a new podcast from the McPherson Preaching Institute (MPI) that will explore the theology, practice, and contemporary significance of Pentecostal preaching and ministry. The ten-episode inaugural season is available now, with new episodes releasing each Monday.
Hosted by Dr. Jeff Tolle, Director of the McPherson Preaching Institute, Word & Spirit brings pastors, scholars, and ministry leaders into conversation about the work of preaching and leading the church in a changing world.
Rather than simply offering answers, the podcast is designed to create space for thoughtful conversation, asking what preachers can learn from Scripture and theology, from the wisdom of those who have served the church for years, and from the challenges facing ministry today.
“Word & Spirit is an opportunity to create a thoughtful space for conversations about what it means to preach faithfully in a Pentecostal context,” said Dr. Tolle. “We want to listen to the wisdom of those who are preaching and leading today while also asking deeper theological questions about Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the vocation of the preacher. Our hope is that these conversations will serve both the church and the academy by contributing to the ongoing development of Pentecostal preaching.”
The inaugural season will take a closer look at the realities of contemporary Pentecostal ministry, bringing theological reflection into conversation with the practical questions pastors and ministry leaders encounter in their everyday work. Episodes will explore the craft and calling of preaching while considering how Pentecostal conviction continues to shape the church’s understanding of Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and ministry.
That combination of theological depth and practical wisdom is central to the vision of the McPherson Preaching Institute. As part of Life Pacific University, MPI seeks to equip a new generation of preachers through resources that bring together biblical integrity, theological reflection, practical formation, and a distinctly Pentecostal perspective.
“Preaching is both a deeply theological task and a deeply pastoral one,” continues Dr. Tolle. “We want Word & Spirit to be a place where those dimensions can be held together. Where listeners can think deeply about preaching while also being encouraged and equipped for the ministry they are called to.”
The podcast is intended for a wide audience, including pastors, ministry leaders, students, scholars, and anyone interested in the continued development of Pentecostal preaching. For those already serving in ministry, the conversations offer opportunities for reflection and encouragement. For students and emerging preachers, they provide a window into the questions and practices shaping Pentecostal preaching today.
Word & Spirit also represents an expansion of MPI’s growing collection of resources dedicated to advancing excellence in Pentecostal preaching and exploring the tradition’s ongoing contribution to the wider Christian church. Through educational resources, mentoring, conferences, and digital content, the institute seeks not only to strengthen preachers but to help the church think more deeply about the calling and practice of proclaiming the Word of God.
New episodes of Word & Spirit will be released every Monday throughout the ten-episode inaugural season. Listen now!
About the McPherson Preaching Institute
The McPherson Preaching Institute, a ministry of Life Pacific University, exists to empower a generation of preachers to proclaim the Word of God with clarity, relevance, and conviction. With a distinctly Pentecostal ethos, MPI equips pastors, students, and ministry leaders through educational resources, mentoring, conferences, and digital content.
