Author, teacher, storyteller to speak evening of Oct. 5, lead Gill Preaching Workshop Oct. 5-6
CONWAY, Ark. (June 9, 2026)—Matthew Dicks, an internationally bestselling author and an award-winning teacher and storyteller, will speak on the campus of Hendrix College Monday, October 5, 2026, at 7 p.m. The event, to be held in Worsham Hall in the Student Life and Technology Center (building 2 on the campus map), is free and open to the public.
He will also serve as the featured leader of this year’s John and Marjem Gill Preaching Workshop, which begins earlier in the day on October 5 and concludes Tuesday afternoon, October 6. Visit www.hendrix.edu/gillworkshop for more information or to register.
In addition to his storytelling and writing, Matthew Dicks brings a unique perspective as an award-winning elementary school teacher with 27 years of experience. He helps organizations unlock the transformative potential of storytelling to inspire leadership, foster innovation, and elevate communication.
With bestselling titles like Storyworthy and Stories Sell, Matthew has collaborated with global powerhouses, including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, Harvard, Yale, MIT, The World Bank, Adobe, Live Nation, CVS, and The Schmidt Family Foundation. His keynote presentations, workshops, and consulting services provide actionable tools for communicating effectively, building meaningful connections, and influencing with impact.
A 62-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 10-time GrandSLAM champion, Matthew’s storytelling expertise and captivating style have been showcased on NPR’s The Moth Radio Hour and PBS’s Stories from the Stage. As the co-founder of Speak Up and founder and CEO of Storyworthy, he has trained leaders and teams worldwide to transform complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives that drive results.
His visit is co-sponsored by the Compelling Preaching Initiative (CPI), which is funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment and administered by the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas. CPI seeks to build the capacity for bold, innovative preaching within Arkansas United Methodist clergy to transform churches and communities. It is co-sponsored by the Hendrix College Office of Religious Life and its John and Marjem Gill Preaching Workshop, which since 1984 has aimed to strengthen the United Methodist Church by enhancing clergy’s ability to proclaim the gospel in ways that are relevant to the needs of our time, and to enhance dialogue and fellowship among clergy colleagues.
“We are deeply grateful that, over 40 years ago, John and Marjem Gill recognized the life-changing power of the stories we tell, as they so generously took the step of providing for this preaching workshop, reaching thousands of lives through preachers and communities of faith across our region,” said Chaplain of the College the Rev. Ellen Alston. “The Compelling Preaching Initiative’s partnership offers enhanced opportunities for these two days together. We’ll explore the power and craft of story with Matthew Dicks as our uniquely gifted leader, while deepening connections with colleagues in shared leadership and ministry.”
“Matthew Dicks is a phenomenal practitioner of storytelling,” said the Rev. J.J. Whitney, who has served as the Compelling Preaching Initiative project director for MFA since the grant’s inception. “We have used his best practices in our work with clergy in the Compelling Preaching Initiative and felt like his presence would be a great gift to Arkansas clergy at the Gill Preaching Workshop. We are thrilled that he agreed to lead us!”
About Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic quality, engaged learning opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“… Through engagement that links the classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.” –Hendrix College Statement of Purpose
About Lilly Endowment
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
About the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas
With a mission to establish and manage charitable funds to strengthen and expand Methodist ministries across Arkansas, the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas manages over $280 million in endowment funds and other charitable assets that benefit local churches and other United Methodist ministries. Founded in 1963, the Foundation has grown into one of the largest United Methodist foundations in the country, managing more than 800 funds that support Methodist ministries. To learn more, visit methodistfoundationAR.org.
