Music & Worship Conference Unites Praise Styles

From Feb. 13–15, the 22nd annual Andrews University Music & Worship Conference successfully provided a space for both scholarly discourse and the promotion of meaningful praise. Hosted primarily in the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and the Howard Performing Arts Center, the conference brought together speakers and musicians from around the country. David Williams, director of the Music & Worship Conference and associate professor of worship and sacred music at the Seminary, noted that the weekend was successful in creating opportunities for worship and leadership training to take place.

 

The conference began as an honors research project by Nicholas Zork, a former member of the J.N. Andrews Honors Program and an alumnus of Andrews. After Zork graduated from Andrews, the International Center for Worship & Music, a collaboration between the Seminary and the University's Department of Music, organized the subsequent conferences. Zork continues to participate in the conference as a member of its advisory team and was a performer at this year’s gathering.

 

The 2025 conference had the theme “Worship and Art,” and in addition to typical forms of worship, physical art was utilized and given a place in praise to God. Nathan Greene, a notable Seventh-day Adventist visual artist, was one of several speakers who gave light to the use of art in worship.

 

Other notable presenters and vocal artists who participated in the conference included singer Kevin Jackson, Pastor Lola Moore Johnston, Andrews Associate Chaplain Simona Mills-Pitcher and former staff member Steve Yeagley.

 

Williams has enjoyed working on the conference in various capacities since 2013 and has had support from many individuals within the Seventh-day Adventist community and Andrews community. These supporters have included the General Conference Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research as well as the North American Division Ministerial Association. Multiple Andrews student clubs have participated as well, including the Black Student Association of the Seminary and the Black Student Christian Forum.

 

Williams hopes the conference’s impact is wide-ranging, sharing, “The conference does more than just have workshops and scholarly presentations. It's really a unique conference because most conferences are scholarly, but this conference is scholarly and practical.” He notes that the blend of various worship styles, including traditional practices, contemporary fashions and several cultural styles, both “challenged the presuppositions of attendees” and helped them grow spiritually.

 

Williams shares that the team is already beginning to plan next year’s conference, which will take place in February 2026. He hopes to see more collaboration within Andrews as the event comes together and greater participation from unions within the North American Division.

 

“The conference especially serves Seminary students historically, but that’s not the purpose of the conference,” says Williams. “I just personally have a burden for [equipping] worship leaders, especially from the fellowships on campus. We’re asking and answering a lot of important questions at the conference, and I want to have a much greater impact in our various communities.”

 

To learn more about the Music & Worship Conference, please visit the International Center for Worship & Music website.