The Worship 4:24 Conference at Cedarville University is on January 28-29, 2022.  Co-sponsored by the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio and Cedarville University Department of Music and Worship, this conference is designed to equip and encourage worship leaders, musicians, bands, praise teams, choirs, tech crews, and students to be effective leaders.

Conference Attendees

This year’s conference will include:

• Worship concert on Friday evening w/ Matt Papa
• General sessions
• New areas of concentration on Friday
• Over 80 breakouts on Saturday
• Lunch on Saturday
• More than 20 different vendors

High School Students (Weekend of Worship)

You are invited to Weekend of Worship, held in conjunction with the Worship 4:24 Conference at Cedarville University, with guest artist Matt Papa. Join other high school students (14-18 years old) and bands in an incredible worship experience! This Weekend of Worship begins on Thursday, January 27, and will include:

• Meeting guest artists for Worship 4:24
• Spending time with Cedarville worship bands
• Select bands getting a chance to play and receive feedback from worship professionals
• Experiencing campus life by staying overnight in the residence halls, attending chapel, and eating in the dining hall
• Cost is just $60

Select an event from the calendar to see the details here.

Matt Papa

Matt Papa is a 16-year veteran of the Christian music industry, having written and recorded numerous albums. His Mercy is More, which he co-wrote with Matt Boswell, and the album His Mercy is More: The Hymns of Matt Boswell and Matt Papa were both nominated for Dove Awards in 2020. Matt is a delightful combination of gifted musician and songwriter, loving husband, father, and inquisitive theologian. And with the all those roles and attributes, he remains ever-focused on a singular goal: to help people see the beauty and glory of Jesus. As Cedarville’s 2021-22 Artist-in-Residence, he is mentoring a new generation of songwriters and worship leaders for God’s glory.

Matt Merker

Matt Merker writes Christ-centered songs for churches. Matt’s music reflects the full spectrum of the Christian life, from sorrowful yearning to joyful hope. He has written songs such as He Will Hold Me Fast and I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130), and his hymns have been recorded by artists including Keith and Kristyn Getty, Selah, and more. Matt studied religion and music at Vanderbilt University and later earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is Director of Creative Resources and Training for Getty Music.

Tyler Mount

Tyler Mount has been playing guitar and leading worship since high school. After graduating in 2008 from Southeastern Baptist Theological he traveled and played with guitar principally with Matt Papa. Current he serves as Creative Director at Providence Church in Raleigh, NC. He has been married for almost 15 years to Rachel and loves his 4 kids.

Travis Motley

At the age of 8, Travis Moley put down his Nintendo 64 gaming controller and picked up a pair of drumsticks, and he never looked back. Since going professional in country music at the age of 15, he has toured the country with various artists in many different music genres, specifically Christian and country music. He has been a studio session musician on 200+ records, for many different artists in genres ranging from rock to jazz, to blues, country, Christian, and pop. He has also served at different churches throughout the years, currently at Factory Church Located in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. He serves as the drummer and music director, as well as the point-person for many technical aspects — live sound, broadcast audio, and postproduction content. Travis owns and operates Diamond Productions, a full production recording studio, publishing administration, and consulting firm. Since 2015, Travis has played alongside Matt Papa, on drums, singing background vocals, and operating all backing audio tracks He loves to help people, love on people, have a good time, work probably too much, and enjoy a good cup of coffee.

Shane Cole

At the age of 8, Travis Moley put down his Nintendo 64 gaming controller and picked up a pair of drumsticks, and he never looked back. Since going professional in country music at the age of 15, he has toured the country with various artists in many different music genres, specifically Christian and country music. He has been a studio session musician on 200+ records, for many different artists in genres ranging from rock to jazz, to blues, country, Christian, and pop. He has also served at different churches throughout the years, currently at Factory Church Located in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. He serves as the drummer and music director, as well as the point-person for many technical aspects — live sound, broadcast audio, and postproduction content. Travis owns and operates Diamond Productions, a full production recording studio, publishing administration, and consulting firm. Since 2015, Travis has played alongside Matt Papa, on drums, singing background vocals, and operating all backing audio tracks He loves to help people, love on people, have a good time, work probably too much, and enjoy a good cup of coffee.

Scott Shepherd

Dr. Scott Shepherd serves as Worship and Music Specialist with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. He is a graduate of Shorter University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and holds a doctorate in worship studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. Scott served in local worship ministry for 24 years, most recently as Associate Pastor of Music and Worship at First Baptist Church in Paris, Tennessee. Scott directs the Tennessee Men’s Chorale and Tennessee Ladies Chorus and has served as a clinician and conference leader at state, regional, and local events. He served recently on the adjunct faculty at Union University and leads worship regularly with his family, The Shepherd Family. Scott is married to his college sweetheart, Traci, and together they have four children: Jordan (19), Iris (16), Gideon (14), and Grace (12). They reside in Henry, Tennessee.

Sarah Bohrer

Sarah Bohrer is worship leader in Brownsburg, Indiana, where she and her husband have served for 20 years. She loves teaching preschool music and children's choir. A good cup of coffee and pickleball with friends are her favorite ways to spend time.

Rod Ellis

Rod Ellis is the Worship Pastor at Woodburn Baptist Church in Woodburn, Kentucky. Woodburn is a thriving church in a rural community that has planted 22 churches since 2006. Part of Rod's role is to develop worship leaders. He has previously served churches in Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. For several years, he was part of the Kentucky Baptist Convention as a worship consultant. Rod grew up in Erlanger, Kentucky, went to Georgetown College, Georgetown, Kentucky, and then The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is nearing the end of his work on a doctorate in worship studies with the Robert E Webber Institute for Christian Worship. Rod is a bit of a sports guy (Go Big Blue!), loves reading and writing … and, of course, music. His wife of 34 years, Jackie, also grew up in Kentucky. She excels in her work in human resources. She’s an amazing wife, mom, and flute player. Daughters Catherine (26) and Emily (23) are both passionate about their faith in Jesus.

Rob Schumann

Rod Ellis is the Worship Pastor at Woodburn Baptist Church in Woodburn, Kentucky. Woodburn is a thriving church in a rural community that has planted 22 churches since 2006. Part of Rod's role is to develop worship leaders. He has previously served churches in Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. For several years, he was part of the Kentucky Baptist Convention as a worship consultant. Rod grew up in Erlanger, Kentucky, went to Georgetown College, Georgetown, Kentucky, and then The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is nearing the end of his work on a doctorate in worship studies with the Robert E Webber Institute for Christian Worship. Rod is a bit of a sports guy (Go Big Blue!), loves reading and writing … and, of course, music. His wife of 34 years, Jackie, also grew up in Kentucky. She excels in her work in human resources. She’s an amazing wife, mom, and flute player. Daughters Catherine (26) and Emily (23) are both passionate about their faith in Jesus.

Kris Leininger

Kris Leininger serves as the Worship Pastor at First Light Church in Vandalia, Ohio. He has been serving in worship ministry for 15 years in churches small and large and is currently a student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Kris is deeply passionate about unity under the Gospel, biblical literacy in the church, and intentionality in leading people to worship Jesus Christ. He has been married to his wife, Lisa, for 15 years and has four young children.

Kenny Lamm

Kenny Lamm is the worship consultant for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, He leads worship conferences around the U.S. and abroad and serves frequently as a guest worship leader. His blog, RenewingWorshipNC.org, is devoted to helping churches experience worship renewal. Thousands of people have experienced Kenny’s Worship Leader Boot Camp curriculum, which is equipping worship leaders in churches today around the world. An online version of the Worship Leader Boot Camp is now available at www.WorshipLeader.Training.

Josh Miller

Josh Miller has served the house of Saddleback Church for seven years. He finds it a great honor to live out his calling as the Worship Development Pastor on the Campus Support team, helping resource and serve 18 campuses over four continents.

David Harris

I am David Harris! I am 25 years old and I have been serving at Living Word Church in Vandalia for 5 years now. I began my time as an intern and worked my way into a staff role as an assistant to the worship pastor. After she transitioned out, I was given the role as the Worship Director and have been serving in that role ever since. I’ve been leading worship for 5 years but I’ve been an instrumentalist on worship teams for 8 years as a drummer. My heart is to equip and teach young worship leaders just as I was taught and serve alongside the generation of worship leaders for the local church!

David Erlandson

David is the Pastor of Worship for Trinity Church in Mentor, OH. A graduate of Cedarville University, he is currently finishing his doctoral work in worship at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In his free time, he's probably cheering on the Chicago Cubs or singing with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. He's married to Sarah and they have two boys.

Chris Sammond

Chris is a native of Wayne, New Jersey, and grew up in Alpharetta, Georgia. He began worship leading in 1997 in Nashville, Tennessee, where he attended Belmont University. Chris holds a doctorate in Worship Theology and is currently leading worship at Faith Community Church in Liberty Township, Ohio. A member of the on-air staff at STAR 93.3, Chris has been "living on the air in Cincinnati" for several years.

Byron Burns

Born and raised in Fort Worth, TX., Byron has 20 plus years of Music and Worship ministry experience serving mostly at large diverse churches of 1,200 or more. Byron has also performed with numerous CCM and Gospel musicians, worship leaders, and groups. Byron and his wife Brenda have been married for 23 wonderful years and have two beautifully talented daughters, Anya and Alexis. He is currently serving as the full-time Worship Pastor at The Chapel in Akron, OH, and partners with a ministry called FishBowl and The Shepherd's Staff church ministry search firm.

Brian Taylor

For over 15 years, Brian Taylor has served and equipped the local church. His background spans a broad spectrum of denominations, cultures, church sizes, and settings. As a worship pastor, he loves creating worship environments that are intentional, engaging, and Spirit-empowered. As a member of senior leadership teams, his mission has been to help clarify vision and strategy, cultivate healthy team culture, and develop strong leaders. He is also passionate about resourcing churches and leaders called to multicultural and multiethnic ministry, helping them embrace and empower diverse teams. Brian brings all of this to his role as Vice President of Slingshot’s Experience division, leading a stellar team serving churches around the country in the areas of Worship, Production, and Digital/Communications. He and his wife Lauren live just north of Dallas, Texas, with their two beautiful kids (four if you count their two dogs as Brian does). You will find him with a notebook and a good cup of coffee always nearby.

The Worship 4:24 conference requires each attendee to complete a registration form for each attendee to be completed online or call 937-766-4444.

Worship 4:24 Cost:

• Super Early Bird registration (September 1 through October 31): $40.00 per person ($20.00 per student “7th grade – College”)
• Early Bird registration (November 1 through December 19): $50.00 per person ($20.00 per student “7th grade – College”)
• Regular registration (December 20 through January 19): $59.95 per person ($30.00 per student “7th grade – College”)
• Day of registration (day of conference): $75.00 per person ($40.00 per student, 7th grade – College)

Note for churches or schools: If you wish to register and pay for multiple registrants, please select the gray button “ADD REGISTRANT” then add each individual’s information.

*We are unable to refund registrations after December 3, 2021 so please make sure to enter accurate attendee information when you register your group or band.

Please do not re-register when wanting to exchange or change your registration. All changes must be submitted by email to events@cedarville.edu or by phone at 937-766-4444. Please include name of registrant, contact information and your desired changes. We will be happy to help in any way that we able.