In the 1970’s and 1980’s, Dr. Stephen Olford gave himself to developing resources and conducting courses (institutes) on the subject of expository preaching across America and around the world.

Eventually, Stephen saw a need to have a “permanent home” for this new itinerant ministry of training pastors and church leaders. So, in June of 1988, a beautiful 42-acre wooded estate in Memphis, TN, became the Stephen Olford Center for Biblical Preaching.

Over the years Stephen and his son, Dr. David Olford, have trained thousands of pastors and church leaders from around the world! Much emphasis is given to the preparation of the message and the art of expository preaching. Perhaps of even greater importance, the need for the indwelling and anointing of the Holy Spirit to give people power for preaching is central to our courses!

We Believe

The Scriptures, the 66 books of the Holy Bible, are indeed God’s written inerrant special revelation to mankind. These books together are God’s special self-revelation to us; a revelation that is purposeful, powerful and profitable. These “words” lead to salvation, sanctification and service. These “words” reveal God’s glorious plan of redemption and provide everything we need to know in order to have a vital and eternal relationship with the One True God.

These “words” are to be read, believed, obeyed, taught and proclaimed. Indeed the preaching and teaching of the gospel and the Scriptures themselves are both necessary and critical aspects of the Great Commission and the outworking of God’s plan of building the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately we must preach the Word because we are commanded to do so, and because such preaching and teaching brings God glory. God’s glory is not only proclaimed in the activity of preaching but God is glorified through the results of preaching and teaching in people’s lives.