National Worship Leaders Conference '09- Day 1

The fun has begun in Kansas City. The Conference kicked off yesterday afternoon with registration and a quick meal with my friend Wayne Spoonts and his wife Cindy. Back to the church for an evening of old and new. Evie (one of the first contemporary artists in Christian life) broke out with a new version of SPIRIT SONG (which I thought was appropriate since that's a BIG Emmaus song and we were at one of the flagship Methodist churches in the US. Then Bill Batstone sang TO EVERY GENERATION ( I remember his stuff from Maranatha and House of Worship song kit--great rendition of O GOD OUR HELPE IN AGES PAST with TO EVERY GENERATION.
Anthony Evans, son of Tony Evans the famous Dallas preacher, led in worship and did some soulful arrangements of contemporary worship songs.
Tommy Walker then led for an extended period of time. I love Tommy's music and it really spoke to me last night. His new album has a song titled I HAVE THIS HOPE---a real encouragment --There's still hope for me, for the God of heaven loves me. -Tommy Walker. Wow!

Greg Laurie (of Harvest Crusades in LA) spoke from ACTS 16--(Wow!, I've been hit with this passage 3 times this week) about Paul and Silas worshiping in the midst of hard times and situations--but still they worshiped. You think there might be a lesson in this for me?

We had communion together (1700 people served in 2 songs--that's a record) and then the David Crowder Band took the stage. It's a little older crowd than he usually draws, so he had to draw it out of us to sing LOUD, not PRETTY.

Meeting up with some RECREATE buddies today and then a TWEETUP tonight at a local church. I'm a blessed man to know so many people who lead worship across the US and the world. I'm humbled that I get to add to the chorus of His praise!

On to Day 2