Natalie Ysselstein came to a worship arts seminar held at Dordt College in October with hopes of getting ideas about buying a new keyboard for her church. Ysselstein is worship director for Trinity Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley, Iowa.
“I was hoping to get some ideas from other keyboard players about what to purchase,” she said. She came away from the event with much more than just ideas about a keyboard. She came away inspired in her role as worship leader.
That is exactly why Jonathan De Groot, campus ministries coordinator at Dordt College, wanted to hold worship seminars. While working as a worship leader, he got requests for help from other churches regarding their own worship styles and equipment. He said, “I also found many [leaders’] groups included senior pastors but rarely youth pastors or worship leaders/directors. I met a lot of lonely and burnt out worship leaders.” De Groot saw Dordt as a great avenue to “bless the local community and potentially network local area ministries in the area of worship.”
Seminar participants spent time in small groups focusing on vocals, keyboard and bass, electric guitars, and worship leaders.
Ysselstein was in the worship leader group. “I’m glad I went. It was a real source of encouragement. We were able to share resources, brainstorm solutions to common problems, and just be an encouragement to one another,” she said. “When a group of people who are involved in worship get together, there are no shortage of things to talk about! The bottom line is that you can learn something from everyone.”
About the Author
Kyle Hoogendoorn is a freelance news correspondent for The Banner. He lives in Rock Valley, Iowa.