Saturday

National Worship Leader's Conference 2008

I had the chance to attend the National Worship Leader's Conference this year in Austin, Texas. It was July 21-24, and I've never attended a more uplifting and worshipful conference before. It was designed specifically for music pastors, and I attended lots of workshops and worship sessions. I'm thankful to God and Brookings Wesleyan for this opportunity.

Riverbend Church, Austin, Texas


I had the chance to meet Paul Baloche (He wrote "Open the Eyes of My Heart", "Hosanna", "Above All", "Offering", and many more!)


Leeland


Philips, Craig, and Dean


This was a huge highlight for me. I met Tommy Walker after taking his songwriting workshop. I told him how God has used the song "Here I Am Again" in every church I've attended, and in the college band I was in. He was really surprised. He thought that song never caught on. (Tommy has written "He Knows My Name", "That's Why We Praise Him", "Only a God Like You", and many more.)


Paul Baloche and Kathryn Scott (Writer of "Hungry")


Another highlight...meeting Chris Tomlin after his songwriting workshop!


CeCe Winans led us in worship on Thursday evening.


Israel Houghton and band rocked! They were the last leaders of the conference on Thursday.


This is me and Steve Dickerson. We met at the conference and became good friends. He's from New Jersey...it was a blast going to workshops and services together!

4 comments:

Nan said...

I'm so glad you had the opportunity to attend the conference, Ryan. I know you learned much that will be useful to you as a worship pastor and songwriter. Thanks for posting the pictures. I'm very proud of you.
Love, Nan

Tom B. said...

Ryan,

I'm really glad you got the privledge to go to the worship conference. I always knew God was going to use you Ryan. I'm so proud of you son. I am the luckiest father in the world. Keep serving Him! I look forward to hearing from you real soon. You can tell me all about your trip. Thanks for sharing the pictures too!

Love,
Dad

Wendy B said...

My Dearest Ryan,
You have no idea how proud I am of you or how happy I am that you got to go to this conference. I know God will use what you have learned and experienced for His glory. I could not be any more blessed by you or by what the Lord is doing in your life!
All my love,
Mom

Sara said...

looks soooo awesome. I would have loved to have been there. Oh,actually, just listening to you and Ryan sing is inspiring also....hee hee. Glad he could be there.