Hymn Sing with Matt Papa

Hymn Sing - Worship Night
7pm-9pm

Join us for a powerful Worship Night Hymn Sing led by Matt Papa, one of today’s leading voices in modern hymn writing. Known for his collaborations with Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt has co-authored some of the most beloved hymns of our generation, including:

• His Mercy Is More
• Christ Our Hope in Life and Death
• Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
• Let the Nations Be Glad

This night is all about lifting our voices together in gospel-centered praise, celebrating timeless truths through music that has shaped worship across the globe. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and unite as a community in worship that refreshes the soul and glorifies Christ.

All the proceeds will go to the Stan Fowler Scholarship Fund.

Beyond the Music: Leading Worship with Purpose - Afternoon Seminars
1:00pm-4:30pm

Join us for an unforgettable musical seminar designed exclusively for ministry leaders and their teams! This is more than an event—it’s an opportunity to grow, connect, and be inspired by some of today’s most influential voices in worship and ministry.

Led by renowned worship leader Matt Papa, respected theologian and musician Dr. Doug Thomson, and other seasoned ministry experts, this afternoon will equip you with practical tools and fresh vision for leading worship that transforms hearts and strengthens communities.

Why Attend?

• Learn from the best: Gain insights from leaders who have shaped worship culture globally.
• Bring your team: Build unity and sharpen your collective skills together.
• Engage deeply: Explore topics like biblical foundations of worship, creative team dynamics, and cultivating authentic congregational engagement.
• Experience renewal: Be refreshed through powerful teaching, music, and fellowship with like-minded leaders.

Whether you’re a worship pastor, musician, vocalist, or tech leader, this seminar will ignite your passion and elevate your ministry. Don’t miss this chance to invest in your team and your calling.

Schedule:

12:15pm - Doors Open

1:00pm - Main Session #1: The Songs that We Sing - Matt Papa

1:45pm - Refreshment Break

2:00pm - Main Session #2: Worship Leadership - Matt Papa

2:45pm - Refreshment Break

3:00pm - Breakout Sessions #1*

3:45pm - Break

4:00pm - Breakout Sessions #2*
*see below for breakout information

Alumni Reception
6:00pm-6:45pm

Alumni of Heritage College and Seminary, London Baptist Bible College, and Central Baptist Seminary are invited to a special reception prior to the hymn sing. At this reception, Alumni will enjoy reconnecting with former classmates, faculty, and staff. Premium seating at the hymn sing will be reserved for alumni who attend the reception. This time of fellowship will run from 6:00pm until 6:45pm. 

Jody Cross

Jody Cross grew up in Ottawa and was saved as a teenager. He has been in pastoral ministry for 37 years, serving as an Associate Pastor, Worship and Leadership Development Pastor. Since 2020 Jody has been the Lead Pastor of Southshore Bible Church in Barrie, Ontario.

Jody has taught as an adjunct professor of Worship Studies at Heritage College and Liberty University. He has conducted worship seminars at many churches and taught about worship ministry overseas.

In addition to teaching, Jody has recorded 5 worship albums and has written a book on Worship and Compassion called This Is Our Love.

It is his joy to invest in younger leaders, helping them to understand the grace of God and faithfully steward their gifts, living out God’s grace by loving others and pointing them to Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Workshop Title

ENTRUST: RAISING UP NEXT GEN WORSHIP LEADERS

Workshop Description

Where do new musicians and musical worship leaders come from? They come from your church! How can God use you and your church worship ministry to raise up the next generation of worship leaders? This practical workshop will examine the necessity of investing in younger leaders, what is needed to equip them, and how to do it well.

LOCATION: Classroom 109

Time: Breakout Block #1: 3:00PM

Lee Brubacher

Lee has been a worship pastor in Ontario for almost 28 years and is currently serving in this role at Emmanuel, Barrie. He also teaches as an adjunct at Heritage College, Cambridge. Lee is blessed with wife, Cheryl, three adult kids, and one grandson. During the warmer months when not at home or at Emmanuel, Lee can often be found sailing on Georgian Bay.

Workshop Title

Planning Corporate Worship Services: Random or Reasoned

Workshop Description

Organizing an order of service is a weekly challenge faced by every church and leader of worship. Should we utilize a random, shot-gun approach and simply throw in our favourite “les chansons du jour” or use a laser focus, with prayerful purpose? Come to this workshop for an overview of several methods of worship order creation, plus some tips and tricks for helping plan with biblical faithfulness and pastoral purpose.

Location: Classroom 213

Time: Breakout Block #1: 3:00PM

Cliff Cline

Cliff has been in vocational and volunteer ministry for the last 35 years as a worship leader and a musical artist. Cliff is the founder of ideaPraxy a church health consulting practice, and eyesUP worship, a ministry dedicated to encouraging music leaders in the church and raising up the next generation of music worship leaders for the church. Cliff serves as the Interim Director of Music and the Arts at his local church, West Highland Baptist in Hamilton, hosts an annual worship conference called "Compelled" in Burlington ON, and loves leading music and teaching around the GTA and beyond.

Workshop Title #1:

Restoring the Arts in Gathered Worship

Workshop Description

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen 1:1). One of our Lord’s chief names is “Creator.” Have you wondered if this divine role has been passed down to us as being created in God’s image? What does artistry and creativity look like in corporate worship? Attend this workshop with Cliff Cline who will unpack the theology and philosophy of artistic ministry as well as some practical outworkings.

Location: Classroom 210

Time: Breakout Block #1: 3:00PM

Workshop Title #2

How to Train up Your Vocal Teams

"Leading worship vocally is best done when we unlock the natural power God has given us vocally, and combine it with a passionate skillful delivery that is excellent and easy to follow. In this session Cliff will go through those three things. How to unlock your voice and your teams voices to sing with power and skill as they lead God's people in worship."

Location: Classroom 210

Time: Breakout Block #2: 4:00PM

Doug Thomson

Doug holds a B.A. in music from The University of Western Ontario, a Masters Degree in Theology from Tyndale University College and a Masters Degree in Music (choral conducting) from the University of Hartford, eventually studying briefly with the world renowned Maestro Robert Shaw at Furman University in South Carolina. He also has an Associate Diploma in Piano Performance from Western Ontario Conservatory of Music, and a Licentiate Diploma in piano performance from Trinity College, England and a doctorate in worship studies from the Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Florida.

Dr. Thomson has many years of experience serving as the worship pastor at various churches as well as performing with such artists as Steve Green, Larnelle Harris, David Phelps, Ben Heppner, Brian Doerksen, Robin Mark and others. In the fall of 2018 he was asked to take a group of students and music alumni from Heritage to Carnegie Hall in New York City for a concert. In addition to teaching and performing, he remains active as an adjudicator, clinician, worship consultant and conference speaker.

Workshop Title

Maximizing the Use of Music to Include Teaching, Admonishing, and Evangelizing

Workshop Description

According to the Bible, sacred music should have at least two or three different audience groups. As music leaders, are we enabling music’s full potential and biblical mandate to reach its full scope.

Location: Classroom 213

Time: Breakout Block #2: 4:00PM

Keith Sparrow

Keith Sparrow serves as the Worship Pastor at Forward Church and is the Chair of Waterloo Region Worship (WRW), a collaborative movement uniting churches across Waterloo Region through worship. His personal mission is to engage people in meaningful worship experiences by drawing their full attention to Christ. With a heart for the local church and a passion for developing healthy, Christ-centered worship cultures, Keith loves equipping teams and leaders to serve with both excellence and humility.

Workshop #1

The Practical Worship Pastor

In this breakout, we’ll talk about the real, everyday work of leading worship and tech teams in today’s church, from building healthy teams and developing clear processes to planning your week, preparing well, leading effective rehearsals, and discipling volunteers over time. This session focuses on the rhythms and systems that sustain ministry for the long haul. We’ll cover the things many of us wish someone had explained early on. How to build trust, create clarity, avoid burnout, and grow a worship department that is spiritually healthy, relationally strong, and operationally effective.
Whether you’re just starting out or have been leading for years, this session will help you lead with greater confidence, clarity, and longevity, so your ministry doesn’t just function, but flourishes. Participants will leave with practical ideas, healthy frameworks, and rhythms they can actually implement the following week.

Location: Classroom 125

Time: Breakout Block #2: 4:00PM

Workshop #2

Tech Team … You Are Worship Leaders

This session is for both tech volunteers and leaders who want to understand the deeper “why” behind what they do. We’ll explore how technical excellence serves worship, how preparation and consistency create freedom, and how unseen roles disciple the room by removing distractions and guiding moments with intention. We’ll also talk about practical leadership and team culture. Healthy expectations, clear communication, spiritual engagement, and sustainable rhythms that help tech teams serve with joy instead of pressure or burnout. Whether you’re behind a console every week or leading a production team, you’ll leave with renewed vision for your role, practical tools you can apply immediately, and a clearer understanding of how your faithfulness helps the church worship freely.
Because when tech teams lead well, the church’s attention is drawn to Christ, creating space for heartfelt worship in response to His glory.

Location: Classroom 125

Time: Breakout Block #1: 3:00PM