About

Grace Institute, established to equip and instruct Christians to grow through the word of God, is hosting its 12th annual preaching conference, The Transforming Word.  This expository preaching conference helps those committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ to become more effective and faithful expositors of God’s Word.  The next conference, which will focus on "Preaching With Power," Romans 1:16, will be held on March 21-22, 2025.

“There is no greater way to transform lives except through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word."

2025 Presenters

  • Rev. Allen M. Ford, Founder

    Rev. Allen M. Ford, a native of Lake View, South Carolina, is the Pastor of Grace First Baptist Church, San Antonio, Texas. He is the founder of Grace Institute and The Transforming Word Preaching Conference. VIEW BIO

  • Rev. Dr. Tyshawn Gardner

    A respected homiletician, author, and scholar of preaching. Dr. Gardner teaches in the areas of expository preaching, narrative exposition, preaching from the Old Testament, social crisis and prophetic preaching, Dr. Gardner currently teaches preaching at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabamma
    VIEW BIO

  • Dr. David Olford

    Dr. David Olford serves as the Chairman of the Board and President of Olford Ministries International, Inc. (OMI), in Memphis, Tennessee, founded by his late father, Dr. Stephen Olford in 1976.. VIEW BIO

  • Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Orr

    Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Orr is the Senior Pastor of Brown Missionary Baptist Church in Southaven, Mississippi. Dr. Orr has always used his passion for education to train and empower other ministers. VIEW BIO

  • Rev. Dr. George L. Parks, Jr.

    Rev. Dr. George L. Parks, Jr.

    Reverend Dr. George L. Parks, Jr., a preacher, teacher, scholar, and mentor, is the Senior Servant of the Metropolitan Baptist Church of Washington, DC, now in Largo, Maryland. Dr. View BIo

  • Rev. Dr. Justin Shamell

    Dr. Justin Shamell is an Associate Minister at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN, and a Recruiter for Eden Theological Seminary, located in St. Louis, Missouri. VIEW BIO

“Women Doing Ministry with Power”

Presenters

  • Dr. Cicely Jefferson

    Cicely is a native of Dallas, Texas and grew up in the inner-city where she was raised by a single mom. At the age of 12, Cicely accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, and on March 18, 2015, she was licensed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ at Concord Church under the leadership of Dr. Bryan L. Carter where she has been a member since 2000. She is a servant, scholar, mentor, professor, preacher, teacher, and lawyer. VIEW BIO

  • Ellen G. Olford

    Mrs. Ellen Olford is the wife of Dr. David L. Olford. She serves as Director of Women’s Ministries and Director of City Outreach at Central Church in Collierville, Tennessee. Her passion for the Lord and for people will be evident to you as she shares from her heart out of God’s Word. VIEW BIO

  • Sis. Janice M. Dailey

    Janice Marie is one of 13 children of Rev. Samuel and Bessie Pullen of Alexandria, Louisiana. Sis. Dailey has been married for 47 years to Dr. Jerry Wm. Dailey, Pastor of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. The Dailey’s have three daughters, Joy Marie (George) Jasmine Noelle (Anthony) and Jeri Nicole; And 6 grandchildren. VIEW BIO

*Women Only Sessions

Media