Stacy Long
AFA Journal staff writer
Above, Stephen Olford, Ca. 1948 (left); Olford Center, Memphis, Tennessee (below)
April 2016 – Billy Graham called him “the man who most influenced my ministry.” Teacher, preacher, and mentor to Graham and many other young influential preachers of the 20th century, Stephen Olford continues to influence Christians of today to be leaders, teachers, and preachers of God’s Word. That is made possible through the work of Olford Ministries International at the Stephen Olford Center in Memphis, Tennessee.
David Olford, Stephen’s son and also a preacher, explained that the focus for Stephen Olford Center has been consistent as a training center for biblical preaching since it was dedicated in 1988.
“My father passed away in 2004,” Olford said, “but the ministry has continued on, helping those who preach and teach the word of God do so faithfully in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Training programs
Six different institutes, or four-day seminars, are offered at the center each year. They are open to anybody and can be taken individually in the spring and fall of each year, or the full regimen of courses can be completed as a certificate program.
Currently, SOC is gearing up for its spring courses. Three more classes will be offered in the fall, and a two-day option is being planned for June.
The courses are held in a residential format at the center’s well-equipped conference facility so that attendees can benefit from spiritual fellowship.
“We eat together, we fellowship together, we pray together, and then we have sessions together,” Olford told AFA Journal. “And so, I say this carefully, about as much is accomplished through the fellowship as in the training sessions. A lot of people in ministry just need to get away and fellowship and share and pray. So even though the focus is preaching, our real concern is spiritual encouragement and renewal.”
International work
However, the ministry’s vision does go further abroad. While many internationals come to Memphis to attend the institutes and receive pastoral training, Olford Ministries wants to provide biblical training in other countries as well.
“Right now, we’re developing resources to help people teach others,” Olford said. “People in about 20 countries are using materials that we have produced.”
In particular, since 2008, Olford Ministries has taken seven training seminars to church leaders in Japan.
“Because of the work involved with translating materials and so forth, we’re not able to go to a lot of places, but we have focused on Japan for several years,” Olford said. “We’re burdened for Japan because of how small the church is in Japan, and we’re trying to encourage those pastors.”
Broader message
Olford added that more goes into the discipleship of pastors and lay leaders than instruction on preaching and biblical exposition. Of equal interest is the spiritual well-being of the Christian minister. In fact, all of the seminars taught at the center become a platform for mentoring and spiritual growth. In addition, conferences are held on themes of revival and spiritual life. SOC’s Christian Life Convention – “Time to Seek the Lord” – is scheduled for April 7-9 this year.
“We’re very burdened for spiritual revival,” Olford explained. “Our concern is not just the techniques of preaching. Our concern is with the spiritual life of the preacher, and the spiritual dynamics of preaching. There’s a big difference between simply being a good communicator and being a faithful preacher. We want people to be renewed spiritually and strengthened for the task.” 
Spring Institutes
▶ Strengthening Expository Preaching April 19-22
▶ Essentials of Biblical Leadership April 26-29
▶ Practical Preaching Workshop May 3-6
Learn more and register at gmfonline.org/soc/institutes or call 901-757-7977.
