The Mandate…Worship IS a Lifestyle!
My assignment with Gospel Heritage was to cast the vision that WORSHIP is a LIFESTYLE — NOT just a musical style;
Prov 29:18,declares, “Where there is no vision, the people perish (live unrestrained”): but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
The core mission of GHF is to provide a theologically sound education regarding Worship. Each worshiper must “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Therefore, Education is more important than Music
Education is more important than Religion
Education is more important than Talent…
The foundational scripture is Rom 12:1-2 – “And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (NLT)
Gospel Heritage began in 1994. It started with a celebration of pioneers and trailblazers (Gospel music artists and Gospel preachers). I knew that there was an authenticity that resonated with the pioneers that we needed to “preserve and perpetuate.”
By 2002, we evolved and the “Gospel Heritage Weekend Festival” became the Gospel Heritage Praise and Worship conference. The focus changed from musical celebration to education about praise and worship and we added classes/seminars/showcases.
In 2010, we evolved again. GH became a LIFESTYLE conference – focused on worship as a lifestyle. Education became the central focus. That year, we created the position for a dean and created an annual “curriculum” approach based on scripture.
In 2014, we adapted a new conference name –the GH Praise & Worship Conference became the “International Worship Summit” – with a new vision statement – “Transforming Nations & Generations Through Worship.”
Gospel Heritage became a global, generational and multi-cultural “MOVEMENT!”
Over the years from 1994 to 2017, Gospel Heritage has rebranded worship – as a lifestyle and not just a musical style;
Gospel Heritage has refocused the music departments of countless churches back on worshiping God in spirit/truth – as opposed to becoming a center of Christian entertainment;
Gospel Heritage has revived worshipers – from the pew to the pulpit – many of whom had gotten tired of the “Game” of church and desired real relationship with God and even with godly people!