Children’s Choir Conference Equips Leaders

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September 14, 2003
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PORTER, Texas?The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention held its first Children’s Choir Workers Leadership Conference on Aug. 16.

Conference participants learned from children’s music leaders from Southern Baptist churches around the nation such as Neva Hayley of First Baptist Church, Broken Arrow, Okla., who led in the preschool workshop. The Music Maker (Grades 1-3) workshop was led by Kathy Langworthy of Morrison Heights Baptist Church, Clinton, Miss., and the Young Musician (Grades 4-6) workshop was under the leadership of Carol Mills from East Bayou Baptist Church, Lafayette, La.

Each clinician presented creative ideas to help children learn to praise the Lord through song, instruments and creative movement. Those who attended went away with a notebook of ideas to aid them in preparing for the task of leading children’s choirs.

There were two learning sessions in the morning and a round table discussion that helped each person with specific questions about his or her choir situation.

Ken Lasater, SBTC church ministry support associate said “it was truly an inspiring and encouraging day.”

“Some of the responses received regarding the conference were ‘Thanks for a great conference,’ ‘It was top notch!!’ ‘Very positive and informative?everyone greeted us with a smile and made us feel very welcome’,” Lasater said, reporting 41 in attendance from 13 churches.

First Baptist Church, Porter, hosted the event under the leadership of Troy Cates, music minister, and Terri Hathcock, children’s choir coordinator.

First Baptist Church, Porter, will also host next year’s SBTC Children’s Choir Workers Leadership Conference. It will be held on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004. For more information contact Troy Cates at (281) 354-3339.

“Next year’s conference will be an excellent opportunity for any workers with children’s choirs, whether they are seasoned veterans with years of experience and tons of resources or whether they are just starting out in their first attempt at leading a children’s choir,” Lasater said. “Skills will be taught and teaching tools will be given that will benefit immeasurably everyone who attends.”