October 30, 2017
East Texas Baptist University, along with Texas Baptists (BGCT) and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC), hosted the second annual Worship Summit on Thursday, October 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. in ETBU's Ornelas Student Center. More than 60 individuals gathered to enrich the worship experience and to network with others in the Worship Ministry discipline.
"This is one of the first and few events that is co-sponsored by both the BGCT and SBTC. I am thankful for the relationships that made this partnership possible," ETBU Dean of the School of Communication and Performing Arts Tom Webster said. "I enjoy this event because it brings together worship leaders and others who impact the worship of our churches with the next generation of leaders who will lead and influence the worship of our congregations."
Evangelist and Worship Leader Billy J. Foote of Billy J. Foote Ministries led the Opening Session with a presentation entitled Rejuvenating, Restoring, and Reviving Congregational Singing. Foote has traveled the nation leading worship for church related events for 21 years and has written numerous well-known songs such as "You Are My King (Amazing Love)," "Sing to the King," and "You Are God Alone."
"As worship leaders and production managers, our role is to ensure that the congregation acknowledges the Lord. We are directly influencing the church finding their voice," Foote said. "We are motivated by knowing that we are a part of encouraging others to bless the Lord for the glory of God. The most beautiful sound in the kingdom of God is the unified voice of the redeemed singing praises to the King."
The Worship Summit also consisted of Breakout Sessions focusing on practical instruction including Songwriting taught by Billy J. Foote, Planning Center Online by FBC Lindale Associate Pastor for Music and Worship Andrew Pressley, Audio Technology in Worship by FBC Bossier (LA) Technical Director John Vance, ProPresenter by Mobberly Baptist Church - Longview Senior Associate Pastor of Worship and Administration Tim Whedbee and Technical Director Collins Pace, and a Round Table Discussion by Texas Baptists Music and Worship Leader Tom Tillman.
"Texas Baptists is pleased to partner with ETBU and SBTC for this event," Texas Baptists Music and Worship Leader Tom Tillman shared. "I am thankful to see so many ETBU students present, as they are vital to the future of our worship ministries of our churches."
The cost to attend the Worship Summit was waived for ETBU Music and Worship Ministry students in order to provide an affordable opportunity to become further equipped in their call to ministry. The ETBU Worship Band and University Singers led worship for the conference, enabling them to put into practice what they have learned in the classroom.
"Even though church worship has changed dramatically in the past 20 years, we still have the same responsibility, which is bringing people together to worship our God," ETBU senior and Worship Media Technology Student Worker Hayden Leveret expressed. "Through the Worship Summit, I have learned that a genuine worship experience is about building community. The conference brought like-minded people from different church sizes together to learn from one another. The Worship Summit, and other similar events at ETBU, have helped prepare me for ministry."