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HEARING  VOICES

The Blessing of Huge Christian Events: Ten to Consider in 2016

4/4/2016

1 Comment

 
Fond memories are plentiful when considering the first time I attended the Tulsa Workshop, then known as the International Soul Winning Workshop.  Sharon and I were college students when we made the long trek with family to attend the very first workshop in 1976.  I can remember sitting in the middle of the Tulsa Fairgrounds Coliseum while gazing around 360 degrees, in awe of the sight of thousands of Christians of various backgrounds from countless places unknown to me. It was a pilgrimage of sorts.  --Nothing like I'd ever experienced before. And then the singing began!  My, oh my, what spiritual electricity was generated in that packed facility, surrounded by thousands of Christians, all broadcasting their voices in unbridled enthusiasm.  Radiant joy!
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The Tulsa Workshop
​
April 6-9, 2016 Check out the schedule here.
Hear Bob Goff speak along with so many other amazing speakers and instructors.  Enjoy wonderful singing  and recharge your spiritual batteries.
All ages are also drawn to the family-oriented Alaska State-Wide Lectureship.

The Alaska Lectureship is hosted in a different region each year.  Last year, Sharon and I were fortunate to participate when it was hosted in Fairbanks.  One characteristic of this gathering that was very evident was the appeal to families! Unlike so many lectureships that only attract the more mature of our number, this gathering reminds me of the early days of our young family trips to huge annual events.

​This year, the Anchorage Church of Christ, who hosted the very first one in 1964, will be in charge of the 2016 lectures.  To build upon this beautiful concept of families attending big events together, the Anchorage church has decided to plan the Alaska Youth Forum 2016 to coincide with the annual lectureship.  This will ensure that families, who would like to participate in both events, are provided a convenient opportunity to experience both events while only having to budget for one trip.  Here is an article from Bobby Ross, Jr. who wrote about their 50th anniversary back in 2014.

Last year, we enjoyed being with the Northern Lights Church who hosted the Statewide Lectureship along with a Praise & Harmony Workshop.
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Alaska Statewide Lectureship
April 22-24, 2016
To register, e-mail Judy
As you would probably guess, every one of these annual events have a different personality.  If you have never attended the Pepperdine Bible Lectures before, you owe it to yourself to follow up on a "bucket-list" trip to beautiful Malibu, California.

It's hard to believe the number of teachers they secure for this event every year.  It has become a standard of excellence in programming quality. This  year, one of the featured speakers is N.T. Wright, of whom it is said that he "is arguably the most important theological voice in the church today." 

In addition to the congregational singing in the Field House, I enjoy leading a class in Stauffer Chapel where the acoustics ring beautifully for a cappella singing.

You will notice a thread that ties together these ten huge events that I'm recommending (besides the fact we plan to attend all of these this year) is that they all feature outstanding a cappella singing. Here's a photo I took from a previous lectureship:
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Pepperdine Bible Lectures
May 3-6, 2016     Detailed Schedule
Speaking of great a cappella singing, Ascending Voice happens every other year, and provides a compelling reason to extend your stay in Malibu for the Pepperdine Lectures one more week.  For the week after the Pepperdine Bible Lectures this year, Ascending Voice will draw a cappella enthusiasts, scholars and experts from the most diverse backgrounds into one amazing symposium.

This year, they have graciously announced discounts for ministers and song leaders: Registration for the fourth international celebration of Christian music at beautiful Pepperdine University will be free of charge to ministers and song leaders. The only charge will be for food and lodging, if needed, and for TAKE 6 concert tickets ($40). All other events will be free to these registrants. 

I can't wait to hear the Grammy-award winning TAKE 6 in concert that week in California.   We eagerly that week because earlier that same week we have tickets for the Pentatonix concert in Nashville, TN.
Ascending Voice
May 12-14, 2016    Schedule here
Pepperdine Univerity
It's hard to believe that thirty years ago we launched the Acappella Christian Music Seminar in Murray, Kentucky.  We hosted a week-long event for a cappella enthusiasts that would later become ACAFEST.  Today, ACAFEST is hosted on the campus of Lipscomb University in conjunction with their annual, family-friendly Summer Celebration.

Worship leaders for this event include Acappella vocalists, Kevin Schaffer, Steve Maxwell, Jeremy Swindle, Anthony Lancaster and Robin Brannon. In fact, every evening, Acappella will be leading a "sing along" at 6 PM, so make sure you arrive early for this special time of lively congregational singing.

Our ACAFEST class line up includes:
A Spirit-Led Guide to Worship Planning - Bret Morris
Making Music in the Hood!  Come learn and experience the Journey - Terry Davis
Sing a New Song - Anthony Lancaster
Worship That Is Out Of This World - Mike O’Neal

Mike O'Neal has served NASA in studying the spiritual implications of space travel and is an outstanding resource for special Christian events.

Singing groups will include Durant, Acappella, Shadow Vox and Impression.  Acafest / Summer Celebration is definitely another family-oriented summer destination that will bless your lives.
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ACAFEST Summer Celebration
June 29 - July 1, 2016
If you'd rather choose the popular vacation destination of Florida for your summer getaway, you can choose Equip Conference 2016, which overlaps Lipscomb's Summer Celebration -- although ACAFEST / Summer Celebration runs Wednesday through Friday, while Orlando's Equip Conference begins Thursday and ends on Sunday.

How  will I manage to be part of both of these concurrent events?  I'll be co-leading worship with our son, Anthony in Nashville on Wednesday night, then sing with Acappella and teach Praise & Harmony classes on Thursday at Lipscomb.  We'll fly to Florida as Friday, Saturday and Sunday I'm assigned to lead worship for Equip, directed by my friend, Phil Barnes.  Equip happens every other year. 
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Equip Conference Orlando
June 30 - July 3, 2016
For those with significant overseas travel ambitions and who have a heart for missions, the Asian Mission Forum just might be the ticket for 2016.

Our first experience attending this event was last year's forum, hosted in the Philippines.  This year, AMF will take place in Malaysia and will feature an edifying combination of instruction, worship and sharing.  Dr Evertt Huffard of Harding School of Theology will be the primary resources speaker. 

Sharon and I are so very blessed to meet Christians from numerous nations and fellowship with our brothers and sisters from across Asia.
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Asian Mission Forum
July 28 - August 1, 2016
What an honor to be invited to lead worship at Harding Univerisity's 2016 Lectureship with the theme, "Holy, Holy, Holy."  Attendance for this lectureship has been growing recently.  I'm thankful to be a part of this particular theme and to have a number of assignments throughout the week.  We hope to meet many of you in Searcy, Arkansas.
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Harding Bible Lectureship
September 25-28, 2016 
Oklahoma Christian University is a special place to Acappella Ministries.  Every year, the Lectureship kicks off with an Acappella concert, a key note speaker and wonderful singing.  This year, the theme is "To God's Elect": Peter's Message for Today's Christian. 

​We look forward to the "family reunion" that takes place every year in early October in Edmond, Oklahoma!
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OC Lectureship
October 2-4, 2016
Although this last event happens in January of a new year, I had to mention another vacation opportunity for Christians who love congregational singing and a cappella concerts.  The "Singing At Sea" cruise vacation will take place in January and promises to be an encouraging experience you will never forget!

Next year happens to be Acappella's 35th anniversary so we have a special time in store!  Meet Christians from around the world and enjoy a cruise with a bunch of Christians!  Sign up today.
Singing At Sea
January 23-28, 2017
Fort Lauderdale

Check out this link for the brochure cruise details.

One additional event that we regularly attend is  Sunset's Vision Workshop in Lubbock, Texas.  We enjoy being a part of this annual gathering designed to equip church leaders in God's work.  Next year's theme: Not Ashamed.

Vision Workshop
January 18-21, 2017

Well, there you have not ten, but eleven big events that can bless your life.  How about carving out time in your busy calendar to attend one of these refreshing, recharging and renewing events?
1 Comment
Danica Baker
4/5/2016 05:20:21 pm

I hope to be in the area on Friday. Would love to hook up and say hello in Tulsa. It's been a long time!

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    I believe that the human voice is the greatest instrument of music ever created. Harmonizing hearts and voices in praise to the Creator is the highest calling of mankind.  Host a Praise & Harmony Workshop for your church and sponsor leaders to attend the Worship Leader Institute
    PraiseAndHarmony.com

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