"United Nations" in Worship - This Ain't your Momma's Choir - Christian Unity Grows
International Worship Institute (IWI) bridges racial, age, religious and international differences at annual conference in Grapevine, Texas.
Grapevine, TX (PRWEB) June 15, 2005 -- It has been called the “United Nations
of Worship.” The participants come from different races, states, backgrounds,
nations—but when they worship, the many voices are woven together in spontaneous
celebration and song.
For four days and nights, thousands of worship
leaders, musicians, pastors, dancers, choir directors and Christian lay people
from around the globe will gather for a worship explosion at the 19th annual
Worship Institute at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in
Grapevine, Texas, July 5-8, 2005.(www.worshipinstitute.com) From 8 am to after midnight, the
sounds of rock, gospel, jazz, ethnic drums, and alternative music will be
enjoyed by teens to grandparents representing the rainbow of American cultures,
including Caucasian, African, Hispanic, and Asian.
United Through
Worship
“The Institute helps to unite the nations through worship,” explains
LaMar Boschman, Dean and Founder of the Worship Institute. “Across the world,
whether you are in the jungles of Guatemala, cathedrals of Europe or wooden pews
of America’s heartland, the advent of the digital world has made it possible for
people to experience the same songs of worship with their own unique
expression.”
And, unique it is. At the Institute, worship is about
participation not pious observation. From the moment the music starts, people
are clapping, singing, and dancing, while the youth are jumping in the isles
with arms raised like at a rock concert. The 140 voice choir comprised of
worship leaders shake the building with a Grammy sound. The Friday night session
processional with flags, dancers, Jewish shofars, banners and tambourines has
the majesty of an Olympic ceremony. www.worshipinstitute.com
Diversity Builds
Harmony
Diversity often means division, but at the Worship Institute
diversity means strength and harmony. “An orchestra is built on diversity.
Imagine the 1812 symphony without the trumpet or the Beatles without the drums,”
states Boschman. “We celebrate diversity because we know how important it is to
our faith and success as musicians.”
Christian Music is Big
Business
The popularity and remarkable growth of the Christian music industry
has gotten the attention of Nashville and Wall Street. Christian rock is the
fastest growing segment of the music industry with Christian CD sales increasing
10% while CD sales are stagnant for other genres. In 20 years it has grown from
at $85 million to a $720 million a year business with sales larger than
classical and jazz combined. The “Songs of Worship” series from Time Life is the
best selling offer in it’s company history.
The Worship Institute
provides over 100 workshops, master classes, and general sessions. Participating
singers, choir leaders, musicians and pastors improve their technical skills,
learn new techniques, build friendships and strengthen their spiritual growth.
There are many stories of worship leaders who thank the Institute for helping
them advance their career and find jobs in other cities and
nations.
Eight Evening Sessions Open to
Public
The 7:00 and 10:30 evening sessions are open to the public. This
year’s featured, award winning guests and popular speakers for the 7:00 sessions
are Rita Springer, Darrell Evans, Morris Chapman, James Robinson, Bob Sorge,
Ross Parsley and Boschman. Young people will take worship to the “Extreme” limit
during late-night sessions that kickoff at 10:30 PM and close at
midnight.
No Worship Wars Here
One faculty member explains, “In a
world of wars and conflict, we are seeing that harmony may be found through the
universal language of music expressed through a heart of worship.” Boschman
adds, “There are no worship wars among true worshipers because their love for
God builds unity.”
The 19th annual Worship Institute from July 5-8 will
be at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine Texas.
Registration is required for the workshops, classes and daytime sessions.
Evening and late-night youth sessions are open to the public on a first-come,
first-served basis.
For more information call, (817) 354-0690 or visit
www.WorshipInstitute.com
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/6/prweb251041.htm