Campbell Divinity School seeks to equip ministers with resources and opportunities that enrich them academically, spiritually, and in their ministries. These annual lecture series brings scholars from around the country and world to deliver lectures on a wide variety of topics that are related to evangelism, biblical studies, and preaching. For the 2026-2027 academic year, we are pleased to invite you to the Reavis Lectures (September 28-29. 2026) and the Prevatte Lectures (October 27, 2026).
E.J. and Amaretta Prevatte Biblical Studies Lecture Series
October 27, 2026
The Prevatte Lectures are made possible by the E.J. and Amaretta Prevatte Biblical Studies Lecture Series. We are grateful for the generosity of our philanthropic community of supporters.
Rev. Dr. Rebecca Poe Hays
Join us for our Prevatte Lectures on October 27 featuring Dr. Rebecca Poe Hays, Associate Professor of Christian Scriptures at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. An ordained Baptist pastor and an accomplished scholar, Dr. Poe Hays interprets the psalms as a ministerial resource to help trauma survivors process their experiences in light of resilience and relationship.
How might the psalms help us in our spiritual formation and our ministry contexts today? This topic flows from Poe Hays’s pastoral work and her extensive research on the psalms, as reflected in her recently published book, “Reading Resilience in the Psalms: Trauma, Healing, and the Strength to Survive”
With Dr. Poe Hays, attendees will explore some of the ways the Psalms have and continue to resource resilience for the worshippers who voice them.
LECTURE SERIES SCHEDULE:
Morning Lecture
11:00 am | Butler Chapel
“We Get by with a Little Help: Reading the Psalms for Resilient Relationship”
Lunch and Q&A with Dr. Poe Hays
12:00pm | Student Union Ballroom B
Afternoon Workshop
3:00 pm | Butler Chapel
Reading Psalms for Trauma and Resilience
L. B. and Mabel Reavis
Lecture Series
September 28 – 29, 2026
The Reavis Lectures are made possible by the L.B. and Mabel Reavis Professorship and Scholarship Program. We are grateful for the generosity of our philanthropic community of supporters.
Join us for the Reavis Lectures this year as the Empowering Families team from Campbell University’s Parenting and Caregiving Initiative shares their research, learnings, and resources related to ministry with children and families. Topics include worship, hospitality, and spiritual practices.
The presenters include Rev. Dr. Sarah Boberg, Assistant Professor Christian Education and Director of Empowering Families for Spiritual Formation at Campbell University Divinity School; Azizi Culpepper, former Administrative Assistant for Empowering Families and current Philanthropy Officer for the Campbell University Divinity School Center for Calling and Ministry, and Taylor Long, former Graduate Research Assistant for Empowering Families and current Pastoral Resident at First Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina.
One Family: Worshiping Together
On Monday night at 6:00, join the Empowering Families Team for an engaging night including dinner, 30-minute family friendly worship (featuring families from the Empowering Families initiative), and a worship planning workshop. All students, ministry leaders, and volunteers are invited to participate as we explore ways to intentionally plan for children and families in worship. Church ministers and leaders are encouraged to attend together to make the most of the worship workshop portion of the evening.
One Story: Hospitality as a Spiritual Practice
On Tuesday morning at 11:00, you are invited to gather for a lecture focusing on the importance of church hospitality for children and families. The focus will be on preparation, people, and place.
One Step at a Time: Spiritual Practices to Engage Faith Formation for All Ages
On Tuesday afternoon at 3:00, you are invited to learn and engage in spiritual practices as the team focuses on the importance of preparation, flexibility, and creativity in ministry with all ages.
Additional Information
These events are offered at no charge and will include a ministry focus, a biblical focus, an academic focus, and a preaching focus. The lectures will be held in the Robert and Anna Butler Chapel. Follow Divinity School event signs for parking.
Mark your calendars now! Bring another minister with you and join us for any or all of these spiritual growth opportunities. These speakers will encourage you, stretch you, and inspire you. Campbell University provides a variety of venues for any meals you want to purchase.
We are glad to provide these growth and renewal opportunities for you.
Available Lodging:
COMFORT INN, FUQUAY-VARINA
7616 Purfoy Rd. (27526)
919-557-9000
QUALITY INN, FUQUAY-VARINA
511 N. Judd Parkway NE (27526)
919-557-2009
HAMPTON INN, DUNN
100 Jesse Tart Circle (28334)
910-892-4333
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS, DUNN
900 East Pearsall Street (28334)
910-892-4400
MARRIOTT FAIRFIELD INN AND SUITES, DUNN
513 Springs Branch Road
Dunn, NC 28334
(910) 891-4064