The two-day Mississippi Worship and Media Conference (MWMC) took place July 20–21 at Longview Point Church, Hernando.
Sponsored annually by the Worship Ministries Department of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, conference focused on inspiring and equipping pastors, worship/media leaders and team leaders through meaningful times of worship and informative breakout tracks. The worship ministries department confirmed 125 attended the event.
The layout of the schedule included opportunities for every church to benefit from practical guidance and resources shared.
Keynote speakers included Kenny Lamm, worship ministries strategist at the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and Mike Harland, associate pastor of worship at First Church, Jackson.
Lamm led breakout sessions entitled, “Leading Change in Worship: Transitioning Your Church’s Worship Without Dividing the Church,” “Song Set Creativity: Planned Spontaneity, Seamless Transitions” and “What To Do with Your Plans When God Shows Up.”
Harland led breakouts entitled “The Purpose of the Gathered Church in Worship” and “The Coda – Encouragement for the Long Haul.”
Other worship and media breakouts were led by:
- Don Chandler, worship pastor/Hillcrest Church, Byram.
- Michael Fedrick, worship leader/Williamsville Baptist Church, Kosciuscko.
- Stephanie Saurenman, co-director of kids choir/Longview Point Church.
- Whitney Simon, director of children’s ministries/First Baptist Church Oxford.
- Brandon Hardin, assistant professor of music/William Carey University, Hattiesburg.
- Lorie Hanson, director of communications/First Baptist Church Madison.
- Rhonda Brooks, director of media and communications/Longview Point Church.
- Danielle Mullins, communication associate/Harrisburg Church, Tupelo.
The conference began Thursday with afternoon rehearsals and an evening worship service led by the Mississippi Baptist Singing Churchmen and women as well as the Mississippi Baptist Symphony and Orchestra. Mike Harland shared a message geared to worship leaders out of the book of Psalms.
Friday packed a schedule full of four rounds of breakouts offered for media and worship areas of ministry. Worship sessions helped equip leaders in the ever-changing world of worship ministry and also included sessions for children-age worship ministries.
Media breakout sessions covered audio technologies in worship, designing skills, social media, and planning volunteer teams.
To read full report, click here.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Tanner Cade and originally published by the Baptist Record.
