We are excited to announce the theme for the 90th annual Freed-Hardeman University Lectures (February 1–5, 2026): “Our God, His Kingdom: Seeing the Christ in Matthew.” While some features are paralleled in Mark and Luke, Matthew’s Gospel begins with a genealogy that connects the Messiah to Abraham and David (Matt. 1:1–18). After Jesus’ unique birth and baptism (Matt. 1:9–3:17), Christ is led into the wilderness, where He withstands Satan’s temptation (Matt. 4:1–11). Following the calling of His first disciples, Jesus delivers the greatest sermon ever preached—the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7). Throughout the rest of Matthew, readers see the Christ fulfill the Law and Prophets (Matt. 5:17), while working miracles (Matt. 8–9, 14), anticipating the founding of the church (Matt. 16:16–18), and speaking through parables and sermons (Matt. 10, 13, 18, 24–25). As Christ’s authority is challenged by the leaders, He is betrayed (Matt. 26:17–56), crucified (26:57–27:56), and raised (27:57–28:15), before commissioning His disciples (Matt. 28:16–20). In 28 chapters Matthew mentions the kingdom of God—or heaven—36 times. May we see the Christ more clearly in Matthew, seeking to honor our God in His kingdom.
Make your donation! Your gift helps Freed-Hardeman University continue to host a great Bible lectureship each year.
Our Freed-Hardeman Lectureship app is the perfect companion for the Annual Bible Lectureship.
University on-campus housing may be available in some of the residence halls. This accommodation can be VERY LIMITED and availability is not known until late January. Men will be housed in men’s housing and women in women’s housing. The cost is $25 per night for a single room or $15 per night for a shared room. All those staying must abide by all university policies. Please be aware that the administration requires overnight guests to complete a background check. More information about the background check will be provided upon completion of the housing request form. On-campus housing guests need to provide their own linens (mattresses are extra long), towels and toiletries. If you have any questions, please contact Lieh Brumback at nbrumback@fhu.bramblettgrp.com.
Spaces for RV (not meant for campers with slide-outs on both sides) and one vehicle available. Space, water, and electrical service cost is $20 per day payable at FHU Business Services Office (in Dryden Aud.) upon arrival. No power cables or hoses are provided by FHU – bring extra of both as some spaces are 100+ feet from service hook-ups. Space reservations cannot be held after first day of Lectureship for late arrivals as we have no way to keep vehicles out of reserved spaces if the RV’s are not in them by the beginning of the event. Call FHU Facilities at 731-989-6413 for reservations in advance.
Cost will be $20 per person per night.
Cabins will be Male Only or Female Only or an entire cabin can be reserved for a family for $100/night
To make a reservation email Courtney Insell (cinsell@fhu.bramblettgrp.com) the following information:
Several area motels/hotels have agreed to offer special rates for lectureship guests. These are starred below. Please note these are not recommendations, only listings of available housing.
You must request “FHU Lectureship” week rate to get the discounted prices shown below (entries shown with an asterisk *).
Comfort Suites Hotel **
61 Casey Jones Lane
$129 + tax (King or Double Suite; Full Breakfast included)
Country Inn & Suites**
1935 Emporium Drive
$99 (Single King)
$89 (Double Queen)
(Breakfast included)
Must book by February 23rd for this rate
Call sales manager with any questions/concerns
Double Tree**
1770 Highway 45 By-Pass
$149 (Double Queen or King)
Must book by February 19th for this rate
Fairfield Inn & Suites**
1335 Vann Dr.
$144
Must book by March 2nd for this rate
Hilton Garden Inn**
1324 Vann Dr.
$149 (King or Double Queen)
Must book by February 17th for this rate
Best Western Plus Executive Residence*
2443 Christmasville Cove
Jackson, TN
$129
Comfort Inn*
40 International Cove
$115
Ask for Freed-Hardeman University rate
Courtyard Marriott**
200 Campbell Oaks Dr.
$124
Must book by February 12th for this rate
Hampton Inn and Suites
150 Campbell Oaks Dr.
$124
Holiday Inn Express & Suites*
55 Parkstone Place
$149
Ask for Freed-Hardeman University rate
Must book by March 3rd for this rate
Residence Inn by Marriott**
126 Old Medina Crossing
$124 for Studio
$164 for One Bedroom Suite
Ask for Freed-Hardeman University rate
Must book by March 1st for this rate
SpringHill Suites Marriott*
2407 Christmasville Cove
Jackson, TN 38305
$139 (King)
$139 (Double Queen)
Must book by March 1st for this rate
Americana Inn*
Hwy 45 By-Pass
No Vacancy. Call for cancellations.
Stillwaters Farm (3 types of accommodations available) **
375 Oak Grove Ln
Econo Lodge
644 Mulberry Ave
$65 + tax (King)
$75 + tax (2 Doubles)
Southwood Inn
631 Mulberry
$76 (1 King for 1 person)
$82 (1 King for 2 people)
$88 (2 Double beds for 1 person)
$94 (2 Double beds for 2 people)
* FHU Lectureship Discount
** FHU Lectureship Discount, Highly Rated Property
From Jackson(Allow 45 minutes) I-40 to Exit 80A/Hwy. 45 Bypass South. Continue to light in downtown Jackson at Highland/Hwy. 45. Turn RIGHT and continue to Henderson.
From Nashville(Allow 3 hours) I-40 to Exit 108 to Hwy. 22/Lexington. Continue through Lexington to Hwy. 100/4-way stop. Turn RIGHT and continue to Henderson.
From Memphis(Allow 2 hours): I-40 to Exit 18/Hwy. 64 toward Somerville. In Whiteville, turn onto Hwy. 100 and continue to Henderson.
From Corinth(Allow 1 hour): Continue on Hwy. 45 North, taking the bypass around Selmer to Henderson.
Anderson Science Center [25]
Associates Science Center [20]
Baseball Clubhouse (Dan Kirkland Wells) [46]
Baseball Fields (Carnes) [45]
Benson Hall [26]
Black Box Theatre [7]
Bookstore/Mailroom (The Belfry) [21]
Bradfield Hall [18]
Brewer Sports Center [33]
Brown-Kopel Business Center [24]
Bulliner-Clayton Visual Arts Center [2]
Campus Safety and Security [23]
Clayton Chapel [14]
Commons [12]
Crews-Colbert Activity Center [6]
Dining Hall/Chick-fil-A (Jones Family) [49]
Dixon Hall [15]
Draughon Center for Musical Arts [13]
Dryden Auditorium [34]
Facilities Building (Carter) [40]
Farrow Hall [27]
Financial Services [31]
Gardner Center [22]
Gym/Weight Room [50]
Hall-Roland Hall [8]
Hardeman House [1]
Health Clinic [30]
Henderson Church of Christ [4]
Heritage Commons and Bucy Tower [19]
Intramural Softball Field [44]
Joy Simon McDaniel House [35]
Laurel Cottage [32]
Library (Hope Barber Shull Academic Resource Center and Libraries) [36]
Missionary in Residence House [3]
Old Main Administration Building [9]
Parking (Mill Street) [48]
Paul Gray Hall [5]
Porter-Terry Hall [37]
Quad [11]
Saunders Center/ATPI Center for Digital Innovation [10]
Scott Hall [16]
Sewell Hall [28]
Soccer Complex (Riley) [43]
Softball/Baseball Indoor Practice Facility [41]
Softball Clubhouse (Chalmers) [47]
Softball Stadium (Morgan) [42]
Tennis Center (R.L. Witt) [39]
Thomas-Landon House/Theatre Office [17]
Tyler Residence Hall [38]
Woods-East Residence Hall [29]
According to the Skyrocket, December, 1949, the first Bible Lectureship was conducted in January, 1926. It was known as the “Preacher’s Course” and lasted a month. The first “Preacher’s Course” as outlined in the 1936 Skyrocket included: Church History, The Restoration, Bible Geography, Evidences of Christianity, Popular Religious Errors, The Sunday School, Young Preachers’ Meetings, English, Spelling, Sight-Singing, and Special Lectures.
The library was open day and night to provide to the visitors of the “Preacher’s Course” opportunity to do research on the topics discussed at the lectures. The depression brought a lapse of about a decade in the continuity, but the courses were resumed in 1937. The Lectureship Banquet was held in the “Old Dining Hall” (Draughon Building, first floor). A debt of many thousands was placed on the college in 1926. It was paid in January, 1937. They burned the mortgage during the first special Bible Lectureship. Bro. and sis. N. B. Hardeman helped to burn the mortgage.
The Lectureship was held during the 1936-1937 school year and lasted a month. It was later reduced in length and in the 1940’s it lasted 2 weeks. Since 1966, the FHU Annual Bible Lectureship now comes during the first full week in February.
Special January Courses with H. Leo Boles Added to Faculty
It is the earnest desire of Freed-Hardeman College to render every help possible. We know that there are a number of preachers who cannot spend an entire session in school, and who, being largely isolated in their work, feel the need of contact and discussion of the various problems. An interchange of thought and the opportunity for revising and rearranging sermon matter can but be helpful. To fill this need a special program was drafted for January, 1937. The interest manifested and the good accomplished were beyond our fondest hopes. About seventy preachers from seventeen different states attended. There was a general request for a repetition of these courses and, accordingly, they were repeated in 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942 and will be continued through a part of January, 1943. There will be courses suited to the work of elders and deacons and they are urged to attend. Efficient leadership is the great need of most congregations everywhere (FHC catalogue 1943-1944 Bulletin.)
The speakers for the second annual “Preacher’s Course” in 1938 included such notables as: H. Leo Boles, N.B. Hardeman, L.L. Brigance, John T. Lewis, L. O. Sanderson, and Foy E. Wallace. H. Leo Boles had two classes daily along with lectures nightly on “the Problems of Young People.” N. B. Hardeman spoke daily on “The Bible Lands.”
In 1942 a series of debates attracted considerable attention. I don’t know whether there were debates prior to this time or not. Our “Contemporary Discussion” is based on the heritage of this kind of open discussion. The first of the debates that year was on Jan. 6th on the question: “Whether or not preachers have now the same miraculous powers as in the days of the apostles.” Brother Guy N. Woods affirmed and Brother David Bobo denied. Several other topics were discussed by other debaters.
In 1942 some of the “Akin Boys” (preacher-students whose education was funded by the Akin scholarship) gave biographies of the pioneer preachers.
Brother H. A. Dixon, former president of Freed-Hardeman taught sight-singing, vocal music, and theory during the early 1940’s.
In 1944 the Sky Rocket (the student newspaper) announced that room and board will be around $1.50 a day, and requested that visitors drop a card to Freed-Hardeman College so arrangements could be made.
The Special Courses of 1946 were cancelled because of the lack of accommodations in the town which was taxed to provide lodgings for the regular student body. Alumni Frank Van Dyke and Howard Parker, preaching in Jackson, tackled the problem and secured homes in Jackson to provide lodging for 100 visiting preachers. The course proceeded as planned.
In the 1954 Lectureship Lora Laycook held a pre-school demonstration class. “Miss Lora” presented Bible truths in creative ways to young minds. She also taught Bible lessons with song, using familiar tunes of known hymns.
She was the only woman to speak on the Lectureship that year, and the first one as far as we know.
In the 1950’s tea was served to visiting ladies on Thursday afternoon in the home of Mrs. D. E. Mitchell.
In 1955 and other years, free coffee for visitors was available in the cafeteria throughout the lectures from 1:30-4:30.
Missionary updates and news of missionaries was presented early-on in the Lectureships. Mission panels appeared in 1960.
During the 1950 Lectureship, there was an electric power failure that deprived the church auditorium of both heat and light. The eagerly awaited sermon to be given on Friday by H. A. Dixon, of Florence, Alabama, had to be cancelled.
The college chorus and quartet presented programs of spiritual music during Lectures of 1951, under the direction of Kelly Doyle.
A workshop for Bible teachers appeared on the 1958 Lectures.
The comment of one visitor in 1954 seemed to express the feelings of most who were present: “Like a tired and thirsty traveler reaching an oasis, so I have been impressed with the refreshment of the good things offered here.”
Directors of the lectureship include the following: N. B. Hardeman, G. K. Wallace, H. A. Dixon, W. A. Bradfield, Frank Van Dyke, Thomas B. Warren, William Woodson, Winford Claiborne, David Lipe, and Doug Burleson.
Thanks to Marilynn Tollerson for much of this information.
2025 – Promise and Providence: A Faith Journey Through Genesis
2024 – Triumph of the Lamb: The Battle With Evil in Revelation
2023 – For Such a Time as This: Restoring God’s People in Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther
2022 – He Went About Doing Good: The Compassion of Christ in Luke
2021 – Encountering Ecclesiastes: Finding Meaning in a Meaningless World
2020 – Our Place in His Story: Remembering the Past, Anticipating the Future
2019 – Out of Egypt: Liberation and Covenant in Exodus
2018 – Entrusted with the Faith: Multigenerational Mission in Timothy and Titus
2017 – Identity in Crisis: Daniel’s Vision for the Future
2016 – In My Place: The Servant Savior in Mark
2015 – Give Us a King—Faith, Failure, and Forgiveness in Samuel
2014 – The Patience of Hope—First and Last Things in Thessalonians
2013 – We Will Serve the Lord—Conquest and Deliverance in Joshua to Ruth
2012 – The Behavior of Belief—Faith and Life in James to Jude
2011 – Proclamation and Promise—Major Themes in the Minor Prophets
2010 – Perfecting God’s People—Christ and Culture in Corinthians
2009 – Crying Out to God—Prayer and Praise in the Psalms
2008 – Behold the Lamb—John’s Gospel of Belief
2007 – Hear O Israel—Preserving a Godly Heritage in Deuteronomy
2006 – Better Things in Hebrews—A Call to Faithfulness
2005 – A Light to the Nations—Judgment and Hope in Isaiah
2004 – Opening Our Eyes to Jesus—From Darkness to Light in Acts
2003 – When We Hurt—Tragedy and Triumph in Job
2002 – Exalting Christ in the Church—Unsearchable Riches in Ephesians-Colossians
2001 – New Beginnings—God, Man, and Redemption in Genesis
2000 – Receiving God’s Righteousness—Grace and Glory in Romans
1999 – Hearing Wisdom’s Voice—Proverbs at the Millennium
1998 – At His Coming
1997 – The Great I Am—Our Unsearchable God
1996 – Settled in Heaven—Applying the Bible to Life
1995 – Family, Church, and Society—Restoration and Renewal
1994 – Worship in Spirit and Truth
1993 – Christ in You, the Hope of Glory
1992 – Building Stronger Christian Families
1991 – Advancing Christianity
1990 – Giving a Reason for Our Hope
1989 – Glory to God: Through Christian Living and Through Preaching
1988 – Love for God and His Word
1987 – Grace Abounding
1986 – Ethics for Daily Living
1985 – Just a Christian
1984 – Everyday Christianity
1983 – The Church of Tomorrow: Horizons and Destiny
1982 – World Evangelism at Home and Abroad
1981 – Church Growth—A Blueprint for Stronger Churches
1980 – Eternal Truths
1979 – The Living and Abiding Word
1976 – Freedom: Heritage, Accomplishments, and Prospects in Christ
1975 – The Church Today: Current Issues, Problems, and Challenges
1974 – The Church and Fellowship
1973 – Jesus Christ the Son of God
1972 – The Bible Versus Liberalism
1971 – The Church of Christ—Essential, All Sufficient, Indestructible, Perpetually Relevant
1970 – The Church Faces Liberalism
1969 – Challenges Facing the Church Today
1968 – Proclaiming the Unchanging Faith
1967 – Freedom by Truth
1966 – The Church and the World
1965 – World Vision for Christ
1964 – The Church on the March
1963 – Christianity in Our Time
1962 – Building for Christ
1961 – Sources of Strength for the Church
1960 – Changeless Gospel in a Changing World
1959 – The Book of Books
1958 – The Church through the Centuries
1957 – Christian Education
1956 – Challenges to Youth
1955 – Service to God
1954 – No Theme
1953 – No Theme
