2025 Craddock Lecture

Dr. Matthew Kim is the Hubert H. and Gladys S. Raborn Chair of Pastoral Leadership at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary and is the author of several books on preaching and pastoral ministry, including Preaching to People in Pain: How Suffering Can Shape Your Sermons and Connect with Your Congregation (2021) and7 Lessons for New Pastors: Your First Year in Ministry, Second Edition (2021), in addition to The Big Idea Companion for Preaching and Teaching: A Guide from Genesis to Revelation (2021), which he co-edited with Scott Gibson, and Preaching to a Divided Nation: A Seven-Step Model for Promoting Reconciliation and Unity.

Prior to joining the faculty of Truett, Dr. Kim was George F. Bennett Professor of Preaching and Practical Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and has served as Senior Pastor of Logos Central Chapel in Denver. His bachelor’s degree bachelor’s isfrom Carleton College, and he earned a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell, and the Master of Theology and PhD from the University of Edinburgh.

Matt is married to Sarah, and they have three boys who love to play basketball.

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Lecture #1

11:00 – 11:50 a.m. Preach in chapel

12:00 – 12:50 p.m. Break for Lunch

1:00 – 2:15 p.m. Lecture #2

*Dr. Matthew Kim will also preach in chapel on March 28 at 11:00 a.m.

The Fred B. Craddock Lectures on Preaching honor one of Johnson University’s most renowned and respected alumni. Craddock’s voice has been one of the most influential in homiletics over the last fifty years. A Baylor University research study, published by Newsweek, named Craddock as one of the twelve most effective preachers in the English-speaking world. His scholarly approach to the biblical text and his folksy storytelling combined to make Craddock an exceptional model of creative, effective communication.

Craddock received his education at Johnson University, Phillips Seminary, and Vanderbilt University. He served churches in Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Georgia, and taught at Johnson University, Phillips University, and Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He held the title of Bandy Distinguished Professor of Preaching and New Testament, Emeritus, at Candler, and the Minister Emeritus of Cherry Log Christian Church. He wrote extensively in the fields of preaching and New Testament and spoke at prestigious lectureships around the world.