First Person with Wayne Shepherd
Wayne Shepherd and Dr. Neely look back on fifty years of ministry: pastoring in Chicago, nine years in West Africa, and training preachers at Moody. He explains what he believes preaching is for.
Thu, 9 October 2025
Speaking
Bringing God's Word to pulpits, classrooms, and conferences.
For fifty years Dr. Neely has opened the Scriptures for congregations, students, and ministry teams, with a teacher's precision and a pastor's warmth. He preaches straight from the passage, so a congregation leaves knowing what it says, what it means, and how to live it this week.
Professor Emeritus, Moody Bible Institute · Former Vice President and Academic Dean, Moody Theological Seminary · PhD, University of Aberdeen · Nine years as a missionary and pastor in Senegal, West Africa · Author of two books with Moody Publishers
Where he has served
On the Air
Hear him ahead of inviting him
Three recent messages: a radio interview that spans his career, a Sunday sermon, and a conference keynote. Each plays in full.
God Is Our Refuge and Strength
Psalm 46:1–3, preached on a Sunday morning at Chicago Tabernacle. Hear how he opens a passage, explains it, and brings it home, the way he taught preachers to do for more than twenty years.
Sun, 18 May 2025
Missions Conference, Closing Session
Dr. Neely, a former missionary to West Africa, closed Moody’s 2026 Missions Conference on the theme “God’s Word for God’s World.”
Fri, 6 February 2026
Where he serves
Churches and Conferences
Sunday worship, revival meetings, Bible conferences, and missions conferences.
Colleges and Seminaries
Chapel services, lectureships, and commencement addresses.
Pastors and Church Leaders
Pastors' gatherings, ministerial alliances, and staff retreats that refresh and equip.
Workshops and Training
Practical training in expository preaching, biblical interpretation, and cross-cultural ministry.
Messages he is often asked to bring
Planning your event
How long does he speak?
He shapes the message to your service or session. Tell us the length you have in mind and he will work within it.
Will he take more than one session?
Yes. He regularly preaches a Sunday service, then teaches a workshop or leads a session for leaders while he is with you.
Where does he travel?
He serves churches, schools, and conferences across the United States and beyond, and has ministered in West Africa for nine years.
How far ahead should we ask?
Send your date as soon as you have it. Conferences and chapel series often book a year out; Sunday services sometimes come together in weeks.
What does he need from us?
A Bible, a microphone, and a clear sense of who will be in the room. He asks for the passage or theme in advance so he can prepare.
What about honorarium and travel?
Tell us your event and your budget in the form below, and we will reply with what is workable.
Invite Dr. Neely
Tell us about your event. You will hear back within two business days.
We reply to every request, including the ones we cannot take.
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