2026 Berger Lectureship: The Joyful Sharing of Good News

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Rev. Eric Hoey, MDiv, pastor of a small Presbyterian congregation in Henderson, Kentucky, will preach on the proclamation of the gospel for salvation of humankind at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary's 2026 Berger Lecture on Preaching in July.

Free and open to the public, the lectureship will begin with "The Joy of Proclaiming Good News" at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Blades Chapel, Blades Hall, on campus. A lunch will follow with a Q&A session. Afterwards, a workshop on "Proclaiming the Good News Through Word and Deed" will be held at 2:00 p.m. in Blades Chapel.

Please RSVP to [email protected] by Tuesday, July 21, 2026, to attend.

Hoey was born and raised in Southern California. After completing seminary at the Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California, he served two growing Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations for 15 years until he moved to Kentucky. For eight years, Hoey served as director for Evangelism and church growth in the Presbyterian Mission Agency. He has been serving the Presbyterian Church of Henderson in Henderson, Kentucky, for the past 10 years.

In his presbytery, Hoey serves as the chair of the Church Leadership and Development Committee. In the community, he is the president of the Library Trustee Board and has served on UDTS' Council of Advisors since 2013. He loves living and serving in a small community.

Hoey and his wife, Cynthia, have been married for over 30 years. They have four adult children. In his free time, Hoey enjoys cooking, cycling, roasting his own coffee, and being with friends.

The Berger Lecture on Preaching was established by alumni and friends of the seminary in memory of the late Professor of Preaching David I. Berger, ThD, DD. The lecture series focuses on preaching, teaching, and scholarship. Berger came to Dubuque in 1914 from Vienna, Austria, speaking no English when he arrived. He taught at UDTS after receiving his doctor of theology and doctor of divinity degrees.