Started in 2009
WorshipArts began in 2009 with a simple idea: young people can be equipped to use their God-given gifts to serve Jesus and His Church.
What started as a small ministry has grown into a community where students learn music, worship, drama, technology, and other creative arts while being discipled in the way of Jesus.
From the beginning, our goal has never been simply to make better musicians or performers. We want to help young people become confident, capable servants of Christ: people who know how to use what God has given them for His glory.
Today, WorshipArts continues to train and disciple young people in the Kalamazoo area and beyond, partnering with families, churches, and other ministries to help students find their place in the Body of Christ.
Vision
To see the next generation serve Jesus and His Church with their God-given gifts.
We envision a generation of young people who are confident in Christ, competent in their craft, humble in their service, and ready to take their place in the local and global Church.
We want to see students discover their gifts and develop the skills, character, and experience necessary to use those gifts well. Not simply on a stage, but wherever God calls them to serve.
And our vision reaches beyond music. We want to provide training in worship, drama, choir, technology, creative arts, leadership, and other areas that can be used to spread the Gospel and bring glory to God.
Mission Statement
The mission of WorshipArts Ministries, Inc. is to provide and promote Christian religious and creative arts education.
We pursue this mission by providing Christ-centered training, mentorship, and resources for those involved in worship, ministry, and arts education.
We create opportunities for students to learn by doing: rehearsing together, serving others, leading worship, creating art, solving problems, working as a team, and stepping outside their comfort zones.
We also seek to equip churches and ministry leaders through classes, camps, workshops, retreats, consultation, and partnerships that encourage spiritual growth, Biblical literacy, creative development, and leadership.
Our Values
Worship. Honor. Grace. Unity. Four values have shaped the culture of WorshipArts for years:
Worship — We want our lives and our gifts to be centered on Jesus rather than ourselves.
Honor — We treat others as valuable, give them our attention, build them up, and look for ways to serve them.
Grace — We forgive, encourage, assume the best, and make room for people to grow.
Unity — We pursue peace and remain united around the things that matter most, even when we disagree about things that matter less.
We believe these values are essential not only for a healthy ministry, but for following Jesus well.
Worship Is More Than Music
We believe we were created for worship.
Worship is not simply singing a song or standing on a stage. Worship is a life centered on God: laying down our own desires, taking up His desires, and offering our time, abilities, energy, and lives back to Him.
That's why we don't view WorshipArts as a talent show or a place for students to show off.
We want students to learn to ask “What would please the Lord?”
Sometimes that means being in the spotlight. Sometimes it means playing a supporting role, setting up equipment, helping someone else succeed, or doing something nobody notices.
We believe God is less interested in impressive performances than He is in obedient, humble hearts.
Discipleship Through the Arts
For the Local Church
WorshipArts is not a church. We are an independent Christian ministry that works alongside churches in Southwest Michigan. Students come from many different congregations, and our goal is to help them become more useful and engaged members of their own local churches.
We believe the local church is God's design for Christian community, discipleship, worship, accountability, and mission. Our role is to help prepare young people to serve there.
Whether a student eventually serves as a worship leader, musician, tech operator, teacher, missionary, pastor, volunteer, or simply a faithful member of their church, we want WorshipArts to help them take that next step.
What We Believe
WorshipArts is a Christian ministry founded on the authority of Scripture and centered on Jesus Christ.
We believe there is one true God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Messiah who lived a sinless life, died for our sins, rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, intercedes for His people, and will return visibly.
We believe that all people are sinners and that those who trust in Jesus Christ and follow Him as Lord are reconciled to God through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.
We believe the Holy Spirit indwells, teaches, sanctifies, and empowers believers.
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the supreme and final authority for Christian faith and life.
We believe the Church is the living Body of Christ, with Jesus as its head, and that followers of Jesus are called to worship God together, proclaim the Gospel, serve one another, and bring the good news of Jesus to a broken world.
For our complete Statement of Faith, click here.
A Place To Grow
WorshipArts is a place where students can learn something new, make mistakes, build friendships, discover their gifts, and grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Some students arrive already confident musicians. Others are just beginning. Wherever a student begins, our goal is the same:
Help them grow in confidence and competence, discover how God has gifted them, and learn to offer those gifts back to Him in worship.
We are grateful for every student, family, church, volunteer, teacher, and supporter who has been part of that work since 2009.
Our Lead Team
The staff, teachers, and interns who pour into students every week at WorshipArts.
Peter Webb
Executive Director
Juliet Artman
Assistant Director
Caleb Clemence
Tech Director
Samuel VerHage
Assistant Tech Director
Joy Gray
Drama Director
David Schrock
Music Teacher
Peter Artman
WorshipArts Intern
Aliyah Kyhn
WorshipArts Intern
Simeon Farmer
WorshipArts Intern