partners:




As streams of a fresh spiritual awakening began to overflow in churches, on campuses, and in communities around the world, God is raising up worship leaders for such a time as this.
PRESENCE is a gathering of worship leaders, for connection, encounter, and learning together what it means to lead presence-oriented worship.
You’ll meet other like-minded, like-hearted worship leaders, all committed to being awakening worship leaders for this generation, in their local context.
Gathering at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU), a new hub for spiritually formative worship leadership and education in the US, you’ll hear from seasoned voices calling us to linger in the presence of Jesus, consecrate ourselves to the ministry of worship leadership, and to take our place serving God’s people in a season of awakening.
Session 1 – 1:00pm
WELCOME
David Thomas
Session 2 – 3:00pm
MANIFEST PRESENCE
Jonathan Powers
[Dinner – 5:00pm]
Session 3 – 7:00pm
THE SOUL OF THE WORSHIP LEADER
Mark Benjamin
Session 4 – 8:30am
David Thomas
(Note: this session is at IWU Chapel)
[Lunch – 11:00pm]
Session 5 – 1:00pm
MEETING WITH GOD – Preparing
Dan Wilt
Session 6 – 3:00pm
MEETING WITH GOD – Hosting
Panel Discussion
[Dinner – 5:00pm]
Session 7 – 7:00pm
MEETING WITH GOD – Listening
Rita Springer
Session 8 – 8:30am
J. T. Thomas
12:00am
Sending
(Friday lunch will be provided – attendees are responsible for all other meals)
In light of an increasingly secularizing, post-Christian culture, many churches have pursued a strategy of relevance over the last few decades. Yet, this approach has yielded limited results for the gospel. However, both the scriptures and the church’s history present an alternative approach, one that speaks of God’s ability to revive his people and awaken them to the power available in Him.
Could we be on the cusp of such a cycle of renewal, where the empty promises of secularism are proving insufficient, prompting many to seek something more? How might we align ourselves with God’s work in our time?
Led by Sandra Richter
The newest Epic study is here! The hero? Judge and prophetess, Deborah, and her courageous commander, Barak.
In this pre-conference gathering, Sandy Richter will run us through the core of her new curriculum, asking the questions: “What is the territory that you can see from where you’re standing that you know belongs to the Kingdom of God, but is not yet in the hands of the people of God? Is it worth fighting for? And what are we going to do about it? Sandy will walk us through the real time and space of the era of Israel’s settlement, the structure of the book of Judges, and the profile of our heroine.
Be encouraged and strengthened by this story of courage and conquest that stands as a critical turning point for God’s people then and can serve as a critical turning point for God’s people now. The cast of characters is full of unlikely leaders. The crisis is insurmountable. The odds are impossible. And, yet, God shows up! This is a moment when the very real past of the people of God collides with the very needy present of the people of God, and forces us to ask ourselves the same question Yahweh asked of the Israelites: Is this territory worth fighting for? Or is it easier to just give up … and assimilate?”
Note: Session members will receive a free copy of Sandy’s new curriculum.