Hezekiah Walker, Donnie McClurkin and others attend International Worship Summit in Orlando

by Adrienne K. Noel

Orlando was the venue of the Gospel Heritage Foundation’s 2015 International Worship Summit, the largest Worship gathering in the US during Black History Month. The 2½ -day International Worship Summit (IWS) was ministered to by nationally known Faith Leaders such as Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Dr John Gunns of St. Paul’s M.B. Church of Jacksonville and Bishop John Hanna of New Life Covenant Church of Southside Chicago, and featured well-known Grammy and Stellar award winners such as among Gospel Singer and Songwriter VaShaun Mitchell, Beverly Crawford of the and Da’Dra Crawford Greathouse, half of the Gospel duo “Anointed” and the praise leader of Joel Osteen Ministries.

Visiting pastors, music and worship arts department personnel (leaders and performers), Gospel musicians, producers and fans traveled to Orlando from all over the continental United States and even as far as Sweden, to learn new strategies in Praise and Worship and Gospel Music at the daily seminars. In the evenings, conference participants and Orlando residents were blessed to hear the Word of God as delivered by Dr. Judy McAllister, the International Minister of Music and President of the Music Department of the Church of God In Christ (COGIC), Pastor William McDowell, the lead pastor at Deeper Fellowship Church in Orlando and Donnie McClurkin, Senior Pastor of Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport NY. Friday night’s praise celebrations included a tribute to Gospel Music Pioneer Andrae Crouch, who had recently moved on to his glory.

Pastor Riva Tims, the Founder of the Majestic Life Ministries said, “We were so pleased to be able to host the International Worship Summit in Orlando. These artists and leaders came to usher us into a deeper worship.” Dr. Teresa Hairston, the founder of The Gospel Heritage Foundation and its IWS, added, “this is one of the ONLY events that brings together this many Praise and Worship experts in one setting. The inspiring daily teaching sessions and evening celebrations left God’s people educated, inspired, informed and empowered!”

Sponsors for this year’s IWS included: ABBVIE, The Coca-Cola Bottling Company, African American Expressions, Worship MD, Black Gospel Promo, UrbanGospel.com, Orlando’s Rejoice Radio and Majestic Life Ministries.

The Gospel Heritage Foundation is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization with the goal of preserving the heritage and legacy of Gospel ministry and music through education, performance and celebration. Every year during Black History Month, Gospel Heritage presents a “Praise and Worship Conference”. This conference, the International Worship Summit, is acknowledged by many as the #1 educational setting of its type; it is attended by pastors, church music and worship arts department personnel (leaders and participants), and Gospel Music fans. The conference presents daytime presentations, classes, seminars, showcases and workshops; and nightly services and special presentations and concerts. International Worship Summit 2016 will be held in Houston TX.