The 2026 Festival of Preaching aims to inspire, nurture and celebrate all who are called to proclaim the Gospel today – clergy, lay ministers and all who preach. Featuring outstanding speakers, it offers a stimulating and varied programme of worship, lectures and workshops.
The programme will enable participants to enrich their craft, rediscover their prophetic voice, learn new ways of engaging a distracted culture and addressing today’s anxieties. Speakers confirmed for the 2026 programme include Nadia Bolz-Weber, Sam Wells, Isabelle Hamley, Selina Stone, Mark Oakley, Pádraig Ó Tuama and Nadim Nassar with more to be announced.
The events will be hosted by the large, city centre church, Great Saint Mary’s, the University Church, and St John’s College, with a range of accommodation and hospitality on offer.
Commenting on the announcement, David Shervington, the Publishing Director at Hymns Ancient & Modern and joint programme director of the Festival of Preaching alongside Christine Smith, founder of the Festival of Preaching said, “We are thrilled to be bringing together such a wonderful array of speakers for this year’s Festival. It promises to be a rich time of refreshment and inspiration for preachers everywhere.”
For the full programme, speaker information and tickets visit: https://festivalofpreaching.hymnsam.co.uk/cambridge-2026-ticket-page/
Speakers
Nadia Bolz-Weber is one of the most distinctive and compelling voices in American Christianity. A Lutheran pastor, she founded the House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver and, more recently, New Beginnings, a worshipping community in Denver’s women’s prison, and the Red State Revivals, drawing together many thousands of progressive Christians in politically conservative heartlands. Her three books, Cranky, Beautiful Faith, Accidental Saints and Shameless were all New York Times bestsellers.
Nadim Nassar is both the first and the only Syrian priest working in the Church of England and is passionate about helping Christians understand their Middle Eastern heritage, which is the culture of the Bible and of Jesus himself. Fr Nadim was previously a university chaplain and is now Director of the Awareness Foundation, which aims ‘to equip Christians everywhere to form an effective counterforce to the intolerance and mistrust that now prevail in so many communities, and to build understanding between the faiths’. He is the author of The Culture of God.
Mark Oakley is the Dean of Southwark and a Festival of Preaching favourite. He is a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Kings College London; Visiting Scholar at Sarum College, an Ambassador for StopHate UK, Patron of Tell MAMA (supporting those affected by anti-Muslim hate crime) and a Trustee of the Civil Liberties Trust. His books include By Way of the Heart: the Seasons of Faith, My Sour Sweet Days and The Splash of Words which won the Michael Ramsey Prize. Mark was given the Lanfranc Award for Education and Scholarship by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 2023.
Pádraig Ó Tuama is a poet, theologian and broadcaster who has worked in reconciliation in Ireland for many years, including as Leader of the Corrymeela Community. He is the author of In the Shelter (Hodder & Stoughton), Readings from the Book of Exile, Sorry for your Troubles Daily Prayer from Corrymeela and, with Glenn Jordan, Borders and Belonging (all Canterbury Press). Pádraig is a staff poet with the On Being Project, and hosts Poetry Unbound, a highly popular podcast. He is Professor in the Practice of Spirituality at Yale Divinity School.
Sam Wells is Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, and a leading public theologian. He is a familiar voice on BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day and through regular broadcasts from St Martin’s. Sam is the author of 50 acclaimed books including How to Preach, Humbler Faith, Bigger God, The Moment of Truth and Being With – an introductory course to Christian life and faith from St Martin’s HeartEdge movement.
Isabelle Hamley became Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge at Easter 2024. Previously, she served as Chaplain and Secretary for Theology and Ecumenical Relations to the Archbishop of Canterbury and was Theological Adviser to the House of Bishops. She taught Biblical Studies and Practical Theology at St John’s College, Nottingham, and has always had a passion for integrating theology, ministry and engagement with the wider world. Isabelle is the author of Embracing Justice (an Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book), Embracing Humanity and God of Mercy and Justice, a commentary on the book of Judges.
Selina Stone is Lecturer in Theology and Ethics at the University of Edinburgh in the School of Divinity. She is host of the Sunday School for Misfits podcast and author of several books including Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith, and most recently, A Heavy Yoke: Theology, Power and Abuse in the Church. She is a preacher, who teaches preachers, and is a sought-after speaker across Christian traditions.
Chine McDonald is Director of Theos, the religion and society thinktank, and was previously Head of Community Fundraising and Public Engagement at Christian Aid. She has more than 16 years’ experience in journalism, media and communications across faith, media and international development organisations. She is the author of God is not a white man: and other revelations (Hodder & Stoughton). Chine regularly contributes to programme slots such as the BBC’s Thought for the Day on Radio 4’s Today programme, Prayer for the Day and The Daily Service. She is vice–chair of Greenbelt Festival and a trustee of Christians in Media. Chine studied Theology and Religious Studies at Cambridge University.
Andy Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, USA. He writes and researches in areas of theology, ministry, culture and younger generations. He is the author of the acclaimed six-book Ministry in a Secular Age series.
The Festival of Preaching is created and managed by Hymns Ancient and Modern Ltd, a registered charity. Via book and newspaper publishing, bookselling, distribution, and events, HA&M generates funds in order to fulfil its charitable purpose of making grants to churches and Christian organisations. It publishes around 80 books per annum in print and digital formats via imprints SCM Press, Canterbury Press, Church House Publishing (under arrangement with the Archbishops Council) and Saint Andrew Press (under arrangement with the Church of Scotland). It also publishes the Church Times and other periodicals, runs an events programme including the Festival of Preaching, and owns leading religious bookshop Church House Bookshop and distribution centre Norwich Books and Music. Find out more at www.hymnsam.co.uk
Hymns A&M also manages the Church Times / RSCM Festival of Faith and Music and the bi-annual Festival of Faith and Literature The next one is due to be held in late February 2027 in Winchester.
With grateful thanks for sponsors including Church Times, Canterbury Press, Church House Publishing, Church House Bookshop, the College of Preachers and One License. Advertising and sponsorship opportunities are available.