Gospel-Centered Preaching Conference 2026
Be reminded that ministry does not begin with your performance, your programs, or your ability to hold everything together. It begins with the Good News of what God has done for us in Christ.
When
Oct 19–20, 2026
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM PDT
Where
White Memorial Church 401 North State St. Los Angeles, California 90033 United States
Gospel-Centered Preaching
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Community
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Resources
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Encouragement
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Pastoral Renewal
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Gospel-Centered Preaching + Community + Resources + Encouragement + Pastoral Renewal +
For leaders who are weary of moralism and performance-based Christianity.
Who this is for
Between managing budgets, church expectations, and the relentless demands of city life, it is easy to lose track of why you started this work. You deserve a space to breathe, reset, and focus on the message that actually changes lives.
The 2026 Gospel-Centered Preaching Conference is a two-day gathering for Adventist pastors and ministry leaders who want to reclaim the Gospel as the heartbeat of their work. Join us in Los Angeles on October 19 and 20 for a time of renewal and practical insight.
This is not a conference about trends or management hacks. It is a space dedicated to recovering the Good News in a way that fuels your preaching, shapes your leadership, and impacts your community.
We know that urban ministry is complex. It requires more than good intentions. It demands theological depth, cultural awareness, and a clear vision of how grace speaks into the realities of the city.
We are bringing together a community of pastors who share your commitment to the mission. Expect honest conversations, fresh theological clarity, and practical tools you can actually use. We believe ministry should flow from a place of hope rather than anxiety.
Come find your people and be equipped for the work ahead. We look forward to seeing you in LA as we vfocus on what matters most: preaching Good News that transforms the city.
Core Value Proposition
What you’ll find here
Gospel-Centered Framework
You are not alone
Pastoral ministry can be isolating, especially in complex urban contexts. Connect with a community of pastors and ministry leaders who share a commitment to Gospel-centered ministry, mutual encouragement, collaboration, and long-term support.
Ministry That Flows From Grace
In a world that constantly tells people they must justify their worth, the Gospel proclaims that our identity is rooted in God's work for us in Christ. Explore how preaching shaped by the Good News moves beyond moralism, performance, and pressure to become a life-giving invitation to grace and transformation.
Preaching that flows not from your work but God's
You Are Not Alone
Cities are places of profound need and extraordinary opportunity. Reflect on how the Gospel uniquely speaks into the spiritual, social, and cultural realities of urban life, and be encouraged by the many ways God meets us in the communities we serve. Be renewed in the hope that God's transforming work brings new life both to and through our neighborhoods and cities.’
Hope for your city. Hope from your city.
Voices from the Community
Testimonials from the 2025 Attendees
The Gospel-Centered Preaching Conference is always a rich experience and a shared blessing as we come together to encourage one another through the Word, testimonies, and fellowship in our shared mission to bring a message of hope.
Ray Edmond
Lay Leader, New Jersey
GCPC 2025 Attendee
As a minister, the Gospel-Centered Preaching Conference has reminded me that the ministry of Christ—specifically his saving work for humanity—can never be exhausted as the central focus of our preaching. If we become complacent about making this our primary subject, we have truly lost our way. The seminars, discussions, and presentations at the conference have not only reinforced this conviction but have also helped ministers explore the many practical ways to continually lift up Jesus in their ministry.
Michelle Odinma
Pastor, New York City
GCPC 2025 Attendee
The gospel-centered preaching conference wasn’t just about making me a better preacher, but about the importance of a gospel-centered life. I was reminded that everything flows from a heart deeply rooted in and connected in relationship with Christ and receiving his free gift of grace.
David Oceguera
Vice President of Mission and Ministry for the UChicago Medicine, AdventHealth Great Lakes Region
GCPC 2025 Attendee
Featured
Presenters
Pastors, theologians, and urban ministry leaders who embody what it looks like to preach and minister from the center of the Gospel — in cities, for cities.
Charlie Drew
Founding Pastor, Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, New York City | Preaching Teacher & Author
Charlie Drew is an author and retired pastor who planted Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in New York City in 2000. A Harvard and Westminster Seminary graduate, he later taught preaching for Redeemer City to City and served as interim lead preacher at Redeemer East. He still preaches, blogs, and just published Singing with Emmanuel. Charlie lives in New York with his wife Jeannie.
Kendra Haloviak Valentine, Ph.D.
Professor of New Testament Studies, La Sierra University & Author
Kendra Haloviak Valentine, Ph.D., is professor of New Testament Studies at La Sierra University. She holds degrees from Columbia Union College, Andrews University, and a 2002 doctorate from the Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley. A former pastor in Ohio, Michigan, and Maryland, she has taught internationally and published widely on the book of Revelation.
Jonathan Henderson
Senior Pastor, Glendale Vallejo Drive Church, and Author
Jonathan Henderson has served as a pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist Church for over 25 years. He spent 17 years in the Bay Area of California, growing a congregation from 25 to 400 in downtown Oakland. He is currently the senior pastor of the Glendale Vallejo Drive Church in Los Angeles County and is the author of Worth Every Drop: God's Relentless Pursuit to Prove You Matter.
Paul Kim
Pastor, Providence Church | Coach & Trainer, City to City Los Angeles
A pastor for 30 years, Paul serves Providence Church and trains church planters with City to City Los Angeles (CTCLA). Passionate about gospel transformation, he is an ICF-certified coach holding degrees from Missio and Westminster Seminaries. Paul and his wife of 26 years, Janette, have four boys and enjoy fitness, podcasts, and coffee.
Manny Arteaga
Lead Pastor, White Memorial Church Director, Center for Urban Mission
Manny Arteaga is a Pastor at White Memorial Church in Los Angeles and Director of the Global Mission Center for Urban Mission for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He holds a master’s degree in theology and is pursuing doctoral studies in Urban Ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary. His ministry focuses on gospel-centered preaching, urban mission, and equipping churches to faithfully engage the complexities and possibilities of the city.