How much does the Academy cost?

Tuition for the 2025 - 2026 Jarena Lee Preaching Academy (JLPA 6.0) is $3000 and includes both the digital cohort experiences and the in-person gathering in June 2026. Jarena Lee Preaching Academy's tuition is set at a subsidized rate. Scholarships (in addition to the subsidized tuition) are also available for participants who need support attending.

What does tuition cover?

Tuition covers fourteen (14) months of training and community. This includes six digital sessions, two special events, a 6-night stay with our host location partner, seventeen (17) meals (which includes Sunday’s welcome dinner; breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday - Friday; Saturday’s final breakfast), seven (7) days of instruction from academy faculty and cohort leaders, administrative and preparation support from acceptance through in-person attendance, special access to alumni resources following the academy, continuing education units, JLPA swag, and more.

How can I seek tuition assistance?

Thanks to the generosity of #WomanPreachNation, current JLPA alumnae, and our partners and sponsors, WomanPreach! Inc. provides a limited amount of scholarships for each JLPA cohort. We highly encourage applicants to request funds from their local congregations, organizations, communities, and schools. Your church may have funds set aside for scholarships in support of educational endeavors. Below are a few denomination-based options. It is always worth checking with your church or local branch of the denomination you are in. Often, women who are accepted to JLPA learn about funds they didn’t know were provided after being encouraged to ask. If you need support in how to make this ask after receiving your acceptance, please let us know.

American Baptist Church (ABCUSA) handles scholarships for continuing educatoin through the American Baptist Home Mission Societies. Every American Baptist clergyperson has access to a limited amount of funds, annually.

United Methodist Church (UMC) members may check with their local conference to see if that have Ministry Education Funds (MEF) for continuing education. They should ask their Office of Ministry, Office of Clergy Excellence, and their District Superintendent, and COSROW (General Commission on the Status and Role of Women).

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) members may ask their bishop if they can supply a scholarship. The ELCA African Descent Ministries may also be of support.

Who can come to the academy?

All women of the global Black Diaspora are welcome to apply. (Black, African, Afro-Latina/x, Afro-Indigenous women, etc.) When we say “all women of the Black diaspora,” we also mean our transgender, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, intersex, non-binary femme, ace, and queer sisters. “All women” means ALL WOMEN.

Participants do not have to be ordained clergy, pastors, or frequent preachers to attend the academy. Even if you have never preached before, you are welcome to apply.

How can I support the Jarena Lee Preaching Academy?

We have three main ways you can support our work: Give. Share. Engage.

You can support us financially by becoming one of our monthly Giving Partners, becoming a sponsor for the Academy, or gifting scholarship funds to support the attendance and formation of Black women.

You can share your passion for the Academy with others with resources to help subsidize our tuition.

You can engage the work of WomanPreach! Inc. throughout the year. The more #WomanPreachNation grows, the more connections are created to ensure the strength and longevity of our educational impact on preachers across the country.

When is the next Jarena Lee Preaching Academy?

The next Academy (JLPA 6.0) begin with digital sessions in April 2025 and conclude with an in-person experience in June 2026.

Where will the in-person portion of the Academy be held?

The location for the 2026 in-person session of the 3

Jarena Lee Preaching Academy will be Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

What if I can’t be there the entire time? Can I come in late? Can I leave early?

No. WomanPreach! Inc.’s teaching model is communal and collaborative. Participants must be present from the Welcome Gathering on Sunday through the final Worship on Saturday morning to maintain this model and to get the most out of the academy experience. All participants must arrive on campus by 1:00 pm ET on Sunday (and no earlier than 11:00 am ET). No return travel should be booked prior to 1:00 pm ET on the final day of the program.

Is transportation covered?

No. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements. This includes transportation to and from the local airport (John Glenn International Airport - CMH).

How can I get in touch with other questions?

Email us at jlpa@womanpreach.org or give us a call at 740-500-4172.