Jarena Lee Preaching Academy
THE APPLICATION FOR THE 2024 ACADEMY IS NOW CLOSED.
Our next JLPA will be held in June 2026, and the application will open in January of 2025.
“And why should it be thought impossible, heterodox, or improper for a woman to preach? Seeing the saviour died for the woman as well as the man. If the man may preach because the saviour died for him, why not the woman? Seeing he died for her also. Is he not the whole saviour instead of half one?”
THE REVEREND JARENA LEE
Born February 11, 1783, The Reverend Jarena Lee was the first woman preacher in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Licensed by Bishop Richard Allen in 1819, but refused ordination during her lifetime, Rev. Lee served as an itinerant preacher and traveled, on foot, to preach.
The AME Church posthumously granted her ordination in 2016 as an Itinerant Elder.
Rev. Lee is the inspiration and namesake for our biennial Academy. Her legacy drives us to persist in uplifting, training, affirming, and supporting Black women and femmes as they boldly answer their calls to the Gospel ministry.
The Academy Includes
Five (5) Days of personal and group instruction
Preaching practice with professional feedback and encouragement
Special access to resources used by WomanPreach! Inc. leadership
Space to explore new ideas, new styles, and new sermonic expressions
Time and space for self-care and rest
Community of preachers from around the country
Six (6) night stay with our host location
All meals (Welcome Dinner; breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday-Friday; Farewell Breakfast)
Instruction from plenary leaders and cohort leaders with years of professional ministry, academic, and community experience
Administrative and preparation support from acceptance through Academy attendance
Jarena Lee Preaching Academy t-shirt, water bottle, and more
Application requirements and timeline
The next Jarena Lee Preaching Academy will be held Sunday, June 23 - Saturday, June 29, 2024
Application Requirements
Completed application
Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
$60 non-refundable application fee
Application opens on Wednesday, January 18, at 8:00 am ET - Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 11:59 pm ET
Spot acceptances are due Monday, March 27, 2023, by 3:00 pm ET
Spot deposits are due on Friday, March 31, 2023, by 9:00 pm ET
YOUR gift MAKES A DIFFERENCE
THE REVEREND JARENA LEE PREACHING ACADEMY IS PROVIDED AT A SIGNIFICANT DISCOUNT TO ALL PARTICIPANTS. IN SERVING BLACK WOMEN, WE ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH GIVERS AND SPONSORS TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS AND KEEP THE ACADEMY AFFORDABLE.
Give today and ensure generations of Black women continue to live and serve in Jarena Lee’s legacy.