I’ve been reading some of the evaluation forms from WorshipGod West and am so glad to see how people were specifically encouraged and equipped for serving in their local churches. It was a great time.
But on to the future. WorshipGod2013 East: Called to Be Faithful is just three weeks away (Aug. 1-3), to be held in beautiful Louisville, KY, at Highview Baptist Church East.
We have a great list of teachers lined up this year, both in the main sessions and the breakouts. Kevin DeYoung, Craig Cabaniss, Kevin Twit, Jared Mellinger, Donald Whitney, Mike Cosper, Steve & Vikki Cook, Sheri Gould, and more. And in case you missed it, we just added a pre-conference drum class with David Zimmer.
Musicians this year include my son, Devon, and his band Norton Hall, Sojourn Music, and Matt Mason and his band from David Platt’s church. I’m also grateful that Matt Boswell will be joining us to share a few songs on Friday night. As always, there will be a few surprises, plenty of giveaways, a lot of laughter, and rich times of worshiping God through song, preaching, and fellowship. I love this year’s theme, which focuses on seeking to be faithful to proclaim the gospel with the resources God has given us, however big or small our church may be. It was the point of the post I did a while back on the average worship leader.
At WorshipGod East, we’ll be releasing our new album, Grace Has Come: Songs from the Book of Romans (check out a preview of one of the songs, Grace and Peace). If you’re still undecided about coming to the conference, check out these twelve reasons to attend.
But it may be you want to come and just don’t have the money. Well, I’ve got good news for you. We’re giving away four free registrations, just like we did for WorshipGod West. That’s right. Free.
Here’s the deal. Leave a comment below and share in 50 words or less (that’s right, 50 words…not looking for your life story here) why I should give you the free registration. By the way, you can also enter for someone else. If you leave more than one comment, each comment has to be for a different person. I’ll pick two of the best answers and two names at random (knowing nothing is really “random” Prov. 16:33).
You have until 11:59 PM EST on Thursday, July 11 (that’s tomorrow night) to leave a comment. I’ll announce the winners this coming Friday, July 12.
And if you don’t win a free registration, you can still register online until July 19.
Our elders recently appointed a music committee to revamp the worship ministry at our church. I (a co-leader) would love the opportunity to go! We are always learning how to lead the committee (and consequently the worship teams, and then the church) in how to “do worship” well. Thanks!
Having grown up in, and remained in, a conservative Mennonite context, my experience with non-acappella music in a worship experience is limited. While enjoying instrumental Christian music on a personal level, it has not been the practice of my church and churches like mine to include instrumentation in our singing. I value my musical heritage, but I want to broaden my understanding of worship leading.
My husband (co-pastor of our rural church) and I serve/lead our worship team. We’ve been trying to incorporate both relevant and doctrinally rich songs. I know we’d glean TONS from this conference as we try to be faithful in this difficult rural community.
P.S. My husband would love the pre-conference drum class as he’s recently started teaching himself how to play! :)
A time of personal renewal & recharging as well as learning from other worship leaders would be wonderful, but our church cannot afford to send me to a conference and I personally cannot afford it. I would like to learn more about discipleship in music ministry.
My husband, Eric Sparks, has led worship for nearly 20 years. This past year has been very difficult as our church dissolved and God has not yet placed us in a new church. He leads worship on an itinerate basis. We have 8 children and this is stressful for the whole family but God continues faithful! This conference would be such a refresher and encouragement for him.
I do not deserve to go for free but I would certainly like to. I am already registered and grateful that my church is sending me but it would be very helpful to my ministry if I could go for free. I’ve led worship in my church for 17 years and whether I am chosen or not, I am blessed to be able to attend.
God, in His infinite wisdom, has predestined you to offer me a free registration to build up my inner man to strengthen and equip my local church in the knowledge of Jesus.
lol, it was worth a shot…
I am 18 years old and new to leading worship in my small church in Bowie, Maryland. It has been a humbling experience both as a Christian and a musician. I am eager to learn (both musically and theologically) about worship and have gained much from reading Bob’s book “Worship Matters.” This conference would be a great learning experience for me as I explore the topic of congregational worship.
What an awesome opportunity. My husband and I help with the music and worship at our church and youth group. I would be honored to attend something like this! God bless!
My 11-year-old son has recently developed a passion for worship music, especially from SG, the Gettys, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, etc. He has been learning piano but wanted to pick up the guitar to further his abilities. He goes to sleep every night listening to the same song over-and-over (different song each night) to learn the music, words, and guitar chords. He would love to attend to strengthen his passion!
I went to Worship God 2009 and it was the beginning of my current involvement in worship technologies. Now, I have a passion for training others in sound and A/V as best I can. Being able to go to Worship God 2013 would be a huge blessing in my endeavour to equip myself to train others as best I can.
However, based on what I’ve seen in other comments, there are others would could potentially benefit more than I, so I’m just in it for the drawing.
My wife, Becky, is a treasure. She serves the church I pastor faithfully and our family of 5 so well. As you can imagine, serving a collegiate church plant in Connecticut means resources are slim for our family. It would encourage her so much to attend for free. Thanks, Bob!
I have been mentoring Edward as he grown up in our church. He is 20 now and has a heart to serve the church with his music and songwriting. We have read through Worship Matters together. Now he wants to attend the conference but has had a rough year financially.
Oh how I selfishly would love to come and be ministered to by the Holy Spirit’s delight in opening our eyes to the truths in Romans! But I am not a worship leader, or even on the worship team. I’m a mom and grandmom who is passing on the love of my savior by emulating a joy that is not shaken or contingent upon circumstances, nor is affected by age! My commitment is to retain the zeal inspired by him and be a “conductor” to succeeding generations! However, I would love to nominate my young worship leader, Albert Turner. Albert is also a dad of two young children who provide him lots of opportunities to lay down his life for his wife and family. Our church is planning on studying the book of Romans in the Fall of 2014 and my prayer is that this time with fellow saints, similarly called to lead in worship and prayer, will bring fresh renewal to his soul and an impartation of his deep, deep love and care for those in leadership. Albert is committed to depending on the Holy Spirit’s strength for this calling, which he unselfishly shares, emptying himself as Christ’s example to our congregation.
My husband Jeff is an example of a faithful, servant-leader. He has a God-given passion and gift for leading others in worship of the Lord and for discipling believers and uses music as an avenue to do so. The conference would benefit his ministry in training future worship leaders.
Grace. :)
When I was twelve, my sister’s friend’s cousin took my wallet and it had money in it that could have helped to pay for the conference. I am convinced that hearing Kevin DeYoung and Kauflin DeVon and his band or just meeting Mark Altrogge will bring encouragement to my soul.
I’m a cross-cultural missionary from one of the developing countries serving in Japan. Some friends have tried translating some of your songs into Japanese, and I have introduced them in our church. I really hope God will open a door for me to attend one of these conferences one day. It will greatly benefit and advance world missions I think.
My son is 12 and is a drummer. He has a tender heart for God and just came back from youth camp and said, “Mom, I want to live for God and I’ll never be the same”. I would love to have him be part of this conference with me.
For Christmas, I asked extended family for the money to buy my wife and I tickets to Worship God East. But before tickets went on sale, we had several emergencies (flat tire, broken washer, broken water heater) that took the money. Been praying for a way to get to W.G.East.
The worship leader at my church took me to WG 2 years ago and it was a great growing experience for me. That worship leader has since moved on and I’ve stepped into his place. I would love to continue the practice of training those who will eventually take my place, and worship god is a great way to do that.
My dad has been my biggest fan in my musical journey. The journey hasn’t been long since I’m only 16, but he’s been there every step of the way. This would be a great gift for him as a thank you for supporting me in my walk with God through music. This is for him. We are already signed up and look forward to this year’s conference.
I have a young man named Austin who is in our worship ministry who I believe God is developing to be a worship leader. I have seen him grow tremendously in the short time I have known him into a tremendous witness for the Lord. I would love to be able to offer him a chance to go, if his schedule would allow. I want him to have a mentality of worship, not entertainment and began to have a biblical basis for leading. I pray you will consider him.
I’m a lay worship leader at a small PCA church in NJ where we sing a lot of Sovereign Grace songs. I attended one of your conferences in 1998 and was so blessed. It would be refreshing to worship with other true worshippers and I want to continue to improve my worship leading – for God’s glory.
I was tempted to write “Jesus” fifty times and leave it at that but in a rare moment of discernment I explained my point just the same. My musical background has not been “God glorifying.” He changed my heart and now jamming for Jesus brings me such joy!
When we came back from WorshipGod2011 we couldn’t stop talking about the Drum/Bass connection to our newest bass player, Michael. They just had their first baby, he’s working the night shift to pay the bills so she can stay home. He REALLY wants to come. He will learn so much . . .
Simply put… I really need this. Three years ago I joined our praise team. It has been such a beautiful experience as well as a trying one. Our church is very large and growing. But, there is little committment in the group. “Worship Matters” has helped me tremendously. I continue to lay down what I hope for…and just make myself available for God’s purpose. I desire to be more effectual, better equipped, and encouraged. I recently celebrated five years of sobriety. Just five years ago I was in a rehab center in Tennessee after many tears of depression and addiction. Now, I’ve never been more alive. I blog about what God has done in my life at This Perfect Mess. I would love to have the opportunity to learn and grow. Please. Pick me. Pick me. 😉🙏
Our worship leader, Brian Easterwood, would be greatly encouraged to receive this opportunity too!
Our pastor left within my first year on staff after moving to a new state to serve, and it’s been a year without. I miss having a partner in developing worship. WG2013 would be a great opportunity to connect others serving in the midst of transition and uncertainty.
Our worship leader’s full plate includes significant daily Eldercare for his father-in-law, a church move July 1 from a sanctuary to a school gym (set up, take down, curtain, create sound system) and some outside employment. I believe Worship God would enormously refresh and encourage him.
I would rejoice in an opportunity to broaden my worship palette, hear great preaching and teaching, and fellowship with other believers.
You should give me the free registration simply because you want to. You want to give me the free registration. You will give me the free registration. You have a feeling inside that you KNOW I am the right person. You know it. Yes. That’s right. And…
thank you. (Jedi Mind-trick attempt)
We’ve recently added a worship intern at our church in State College, PA. He has a beautifully humble and teachable spirit about him, and we believe that the Lord has anointed him to lead others in worship. I would love to see him develop his skills and have a better grasp of how the gospel must be the very lifeblood of all that we do, especially as we lead people in worship. His name is Artur, and he would so benefit from spending time with you!
And just to state the obvious, I would also LOVE to attend!
I just moved to Connecticut following a call to New England to serve as a worship pastor at a local church. I’m taking over a team and leading them through lots of change. Our church doesn’t have the budget to send me but I would be so grateful to go!
Although I don’t attend a Sovereign Grace church, your music has been an integral part of God ministering to our community. We have come to value the theology and love for Jesus that is expressed so clearly in what you teach and sing. I would love to come!
I would love to send one of the two music leaders we have at our congregation in my stead. I so appreciate the thoughtfulness and fidelity of many of the conference speakers and would love to further introduce one of my music leaders to their teaching.
And this second comment is my entry for the second of the two music leaders at my congregation (Nate and Jim are the two leaders).
My husband is a bi-vocational pastor. His passion is to lead people in worship. Our church sent us to WorshipGod11. This year, their budget is tight, and we can’t afford it because we just got back from visiting his lost family in Ecuador. He would be greatly encouraged to go.
I’ve had the privilege of mentoring and training my friend, Reuben Foster, for the past 2 years. Reuben is the worship leader for a church-plant in the New Orleans area.
Reuben’s church is experience growth, and his worship team has expanded from 1 person (Reuben) to a team of 4. Reuben recently asked me to help him learn how to manage this growth and how to mentor someone in his team, like I mentored him.
WorshipGod13 would give Reuben many useful tools and resources to continue equipping others in his church.
Haven’t had plans to attend what I expect will be powerful, refreshing days. Now feeling a nudge to consider and enter here. Trusting He will make a way and provide if it is His will! (P.S. Powerful God moments from Sound Worship Conference in Atlanta have yet to leave me!)
I’m a Worship/Family Pastor, married with 3 small children, serving what’s been a traditional SBC church. Reading Worship Matters totally changed the way I see corporate worship and has been a key resource in steering Godward focus and I long to continue learning under likeminded folks. OR-PICK ME.
Seth Dukes is a 20 year old budding musician/worship leader and I’d love for him to be able to be under a Biblical Worship model and learn. Sometimes our young folks need to see a big picture and catch vision for their future. This would be a prime opportunity.
I’m 16, and I recently started leading worship at my youth-group. My father is the worship-leader at our church and has attended the last two WorshipGod conferences, but can’t afford to go this year. We would both love the opportunity to worship with you, and learn more about leading worship together.
I would like to bless someone with a free registration. I am sure this conference will be a fruitful time for all.
I am a newly engaged music minister, and would be so blessed to have my fiance attend WorshipGod with me. Money is tight, but it would be such a blessing for her to come and be equipped and encouraged as she prepares to join with me in both my life and ministry.
My wife has been leading music during our worship service for a year. She has a passion for authentic, God-centered worship to persist in the hearts of those in our congregation. However, encouragement, example, and vision are not available in the interactive ways I believe this conference will provide.
My wife: Gifted piano player; deferring team member; servant-hearted selfless mother of 2 and foster mother of 2 other children; needs a break away to get rejuvenated in her worship ministry/gifts; has never been away to a conference like this since having kids; needs break as much as pastors do.
I had the privilege of attending WG09,and was thoroughly blessed! I would love to attend again or. Pass the blessing on to someone else who’s never been.
Keep up the good work!
As a tri-vocational worship pastor in Cincinnati, it is rare when I can take time off from all of my jobs, but I feel it necessary to be sharpened when I can. The challenge is always the cost of travel and such. Proximity makes this one workable.
My husband recently started as full-time music minister. I joyfully get to serve as worship pianist. We have often talked about the desire to attend this conference! In fostering 7 kids this past year, we would also love the time of refreshment with worship & Christ focus.
Having spent hours in the Sovereign Grace database benefiting from the myriad of online teachings available, it would be my joy to fellowship with those who have already been such an influence on my life and increase in my heart the joy of leading others in singing.
This is for a 15 year old boy from the Dominican Republic. He is a former student of mine and is incredibly talented. He plays the guitar, piano, saxo and drums. This could make a difference in his life for using his talents for the Lord. He has recorded some amazing covers including Behold our God and Bow down. Here’s the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkoaAqGBHGs&sns=em
I am currently serving my church in Knoxville by leading the worship band for our youth group. Unfortunately, I was recently laid off from my job and finances may not allow me to attend the conference. I am still very new to worship leading and this conference would serve me.
Hello Bob,
My name is Evan, We have met a few times at SGC Louisville a few times. I am a drummer interested in learning more about the art worship, Growing in my gift things, as well as being grounded theologically. I would love the opportunity to attend Worship God East!
Hopefully see you soon!
Evan