WorshipArts Stories

Hannah Grimmer, age 17, March 2014:

Briefly list/explain where you were before WorshipArts:
I had very little training when it came to worship arts. I had a deep relationship with
Christ, but I felt like I was being called to share that relationship through leading
worship. WorshipArts taught me that every single person on stage is a "worship
leader." The whole point for worshipping at a church, or other gatherings, is that God
calls for a unified community seeking to glorify him with pure intentions. Everyone
worships in a different way. It may be music, dance, preaching, art or drama. They are
all equally important.

What has God done in your life with the skills/experience you gained at WorshipArts?
I now am co-leading the Sunday worship team at my church.

After doing a WorshipArts season or event, list some ways you used your skills or the confidence WA helped you get:
I have a consistent personal devotion life
Joined Youth Group Worship Team
Joined Adult Service Worship/Sunday Morning Worship Team
Helped with a church outreach in some way (specify in "other")
Performed a drama/human video at my church that wasn't a WorshipArts event
Preached/teached at my School Bible Study
Designed a graphic/design/tshirt/logo etc for my church or another outreach/mission
Gone on a domestic missions trip (USA)
Gone on an international missions trip

Josh Ritchie, age 17, March 2014:
Briefly list/explain where you were before WorshipArts:
I was really only a drummer, just starting my Christian walk. I'd only recently,
maybe 3-4 months beforehand, gotten saved.

List/Explain what tracks/events you did and what God did in your life:
I was just starting my walk with Christ, when I joined the WA (WorshipArts) team
"Revolution". I met great people who I'm still friends with today, and more
importantly, the message team heavily encouraged me to dive into the Bible, and, by
God's grace, I did.

What has God done in your life with the skills/experience you gained at
WorshipArts?
I play every week at my church, not drums anymore, now I lead worship and play
guitar. I lead a bible study at my church, currently. I firmly believe that the Holy Spirit worked through WorshipArts to help
me become more planted upon the solid Rock of Christ.

Anything else you want to say?
A scripture I memorized in the message team was 2 Corinthians 12:9. "And He (Jesus) said to me 'My grace is sufficient for
you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that the
power of Christ may rest upon me." It's when Paul was stricken with the "thorn" in his flesh. There's been a lot of debate
regarding what the thorn was, but most importantly, it's Christ showing Paul, and us, that even when we are distressed,
persecuted, etc., God's grace is sufficient for us. That's something that has really helped me.

After doing a WorshipArts season or event, list some ways you used your skills or the confidence WA helped you get:
I have a consistent personal devotion life
Joined Adult Service Worship/Sunday Morning Worship Team
Preached/teached at a Youth Group
Preached/teached at my School Bible Study
Made a LOT more friends

Jonathan Yerty, age 17, February 2013:
Before I joined Worship Arts I had never played on a worship team, had never spoken publicly, and I had a pretty bad case
of stage fright. My relationship with God was good, but it definitely improved through my time in WA.

I was on the message team and not only did it give me the boldness to speak publicly, but it also gave me a desire to delve
deeper into God's word, and share what I had learned with others. I was also on the worship team, which gave me the
confidence to sing in front of others.

Since joining WorshipArts, I have joined the Sunday morning worship team at my church, and I have just recently been
accepted into a mission school in Peru, where I will be using the skills I learned through WA to spread the gospel to the
native Peruvians!

I am so thankful for Peter and Tori! God has really given them each a servants heart. They pore into the WA students
everything they have without any thought about of reward or personal gain. They just serve the Lord with all their heart, all
their soul, and all their mind. They are both truly special people!

Austin Long, age 15, Homeschooled, February 2013:
I was in a place of spiritual deadness. I felt as if God had left my side in the desert of the world. But is what really I who had
abandoned him. I served on the message team, and God gave me the ability to speak his love and peace on stage without
freezing up. I learned how to glorify God in the videos I produced by taking the Media Team. Since joining WorshipArts, I am
now making videos for my pastor. WorshipArts is an amazing ministry that has the ability to equip, and enable students to
go out into the world and preach the good news of Jesus.

Lily Cyr, Age 13, Plainwell Schools, March 2012:
"WorshipArts has helped my spiritual life a ton. It's broadened my horizons and really impacted my relationship with those
around me and with God. It's helped me realize that I'm never alone, and I never will be."

Student Comment in response to a Personal Devotion Challenge, 2012:
"My Bible reading went really well this last week. I had trouble putting my Bible down! God really showed me how this week,
through my Bible reading, just how much He loves me. I mean, I've always known that God loves me, but I really never
realized just how MUCH He loves me."

Student Comment in response to a Personal Devotion Challenge, 2012:
Just a week or two I was complaining that all I got from God was static, and then I started the devotion challenge. For the
past week I've been in between excited that God spoke to me, and trying not to freak out over what He told me."

Megan Chrisman, Age 13, Homeschooled, March 2012:
"WorshipArts taught me the essentials of being part of a worship team. Now when I go to a worship practice I don't need to
ask questions. I can answer them."

WorshipArts Student, Age 14, Mattawan Schools, March 2012:
"WorshipArts has given me such a bigger insight into worshipping God in new ways and putting my talents forth for His
Kingdom. I've been supported throughout my walk with God and have made great friends through the program."

WorshipArts Student, Age 16, Homeschooled, March 2012:
"WorshipArts helped me develop my abilities to worship God, which ultimately helped me develop my relationship with God!"