An upcoming conference in Indianapolis will provide guests with a unique opportunity to interact directly with some of the biggest names in gospel music and gain a deeper understanding of the concept of praise and worship.
Eastern Star Church will be hosting the Releasing the Praise That Is Within You Music Conference from Wednesday, Aug. 27 to Saturday, Aug. 30 in its main campus at 5750 E. 30th. Admission is $35 for adults and $10 for youth.
The conference will feature appearances and workshops led by gospel stars such as Kurt Carr of the Kurt Carr Singers, Pastor William Murphy III of Atlanta’s Dream Center Church, Joe Pace of the Colorado Mass Choir, J.J. Hairston of Youth Praise, Shawn Cowherd of Krash Krew, Minister Jeff White of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles and Dr. Delainey Bouie of Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church, New Orleans.
Sherri Garrison, minister of music at Eastern Star Church, said the purpose of the event is to help both music ministers and regular lay believers understand the importance of giving God glory through praise and worship. Praise and worship, she noted, is the one gift that human beings can give to the spiritual entity that already owns everything in the universe.
“We would just like to share several aspects of this topic not only with our church but also the Christian community as a whole so that we can all give God greater glory and honor in our worship,” said Garrison, who is organizing the conference. “A lot of times people sing because they have the gift but they don’t understand the calling and the spiritual aspect of the level that they should minister to the people of God.”
Garrison added that lay members can also benefit from the conference by developing an understanding that praise and worship at church is not merely a “spectator” activity.
“It’s really supposed to be a participatory thing,” said Garrison. “A lot of times people come to church and wait on the choir to get the praise going. Yes, our job is to usher them into the presence of God, but we shouldn’t have to flip pews and do outrageous things to get them engaged.
She added, “We should all come in ready to enter into the presence of the Lord and hopefully after this conference participants will have a better understanding of the importance of praise and worship at home. When you are already a worshipper in your private time you won’t have a problem worshipping in public.”
The conference will begin with a praise service featuring music and remarks from Murphy along with a sermon by Pastor James Jackson of New Beginnings Fellowship Church. That event will be followed by three days of activities for both adults and youth such as breakfast fellowships, forums and workshops, all of which will culminate in a concert featuring all of the participating gospel artists on the last day.
During two days of the conference, national gospel recording artists will facilitate workshops dealing with such topics as “The Reason Why I Sing,” “A Heart for Worship,” “Called to Dance,” “Extreme Praise” and “Radical for Christ.”
“We’re trying to help people understand that our job is to enter into the presence of God,” said Garrison. “Once we get into his presence and give him praise then he can manifest himself and do the things he wants to do, such as provide healing, deliverance and freedom from struggles.”
Jason Streeter, band coordinator at Eastern Star Church and assistant to Garrison, said he is excited about how the conference will bless people who attend.
“The church body as a whole has gotten away from true praise and worship a little bit,” said Streeter. “Hopefully this conference will be a catalyst to remind people that it’s not just about receiving something from God, but giving something to him. When you come to this conference you will get information, but you will be getting it to maximize your way of giving praise.”
For more information about Releasing the Praise call Eastern Star Church at (317) 591-5050.
