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MISHAWAKA – Ten local churches and Bethel University are partnering together to offer “ReFuel,” a two-day conference for church worship teams and leaders.
The event will be held Jan. 23 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. and Jan. 24 from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Bethel’s campus. Worship leader Rita Springer will also be leading Bethel’s chapel service at 10 a.m. Jan. 23 in Everest-Rohrer Auditorium, which is open to the Bethel community and public, according to a provided news release.
The conference, now in its 11th year, is a joint effort coordinated by staff from Nappanee Missionary Church, First Baptist Church of Elkhart, Gospel City Church, Wakarusa Missionary Church, Maple City Chapel, Restor Church, That Downtown Church, Grace Community Church and St. Mark Missionary Church.
David Cummings, conference director and outreach pastor at First Baptist Church of Elkhart, says the goal of ReFuel is to create time and space for worship and production teams to be together, be encouraged and be equipped to continue to lead their local church in worship.
“We desire to see God’s spirit inspire and strengthen the hearts and hands of those who serve the local church through the creative arts,” he says.
Jan. 23’s schedule includes a worship experience/concert with Vertical Worship from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in Everest-Rohrer Auditorium followed by a late-night event from 9:15-10 p.m. in the Dining Commons on Bethel’s campus.
Saturday’s schedule includes a general session, morning breakout session, Chick-fil-A lunch, two afternoon breakout sessions and a second general session.
The conference is close to being sold out, but more information and the entire list of conference partners can be found at ReFuelConference.com.
This year’s primary general session and breakout speakers are:
• Kim Walker-Smith’s music has reached millions around the world. Her highly acclaimed new album, “Trample,” is a collection of anthems about breaking free from expectations and refusing to be confined by the past as we pursue what is ahead, stated the release.
• Vertical Worship is a group of worship leaders and songwriters from Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicagoland with a heart to lead you in passionate, Christ-centered worship. Formed in 2012 with Live Worship from Vertical Church, they’ve released six albums, four of which landed in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Christian Albums chart. Along the way, songs like “Yes I Will,” “Open Up the Heavens,” “Spirit of the Living God” and “Exalted Over All” have been staples in the church and encouraged worshippers around the world to lift their eyes to Jesus. In 2018, “Yes I Will” was certified Gold, was a Top 3 song on Christian radio and earned a Dove Award nomination for Worship Song of the Year. Vertical Worship toured the world in the following years on the strength of “Yes I Will” and continued to write and record impactful songs for the church including “Faithful Now” from their “Grace Is On Our Side” album.
• Rita Springer is a worship leader. She believes the joy of being a worship leader is to make those listening, jealous for what has been found in Christ, stated the release. Her motto is “to make the Lord famous in whatever I do with my worship and relationship with Him.” She started her own women’s conference in 2000 called “Fragrant Oil.” In 2008 she began a worship school called DIVE (Deep-Innovative-Vertical-Expression). The school trains and encourages upcoming worship leaders all over the world with weeklong intensive one-on-one courses. Staying true to her calling, Springer continues to write new songs and leads worship at churches, conferences and events around the country. Springer released her first book in 2013, “Finding Eve.”
• Scot Longyear is the lead pastor of Maryland Community Church, consistently named as one of the fastest growing churches in the U.S. Prior to becoming the lead pastor, he served in various ministry roles including pastor of worship. Longyear has a strong pastoral voice to worship teams across the globe with his involvement with Experience Conference.
