AOW23
WHAT TO EXPECT

One of the key componenst of the AOW program is exposure and experience. We want to show our students what worship could be. We do this by visiting local, large, and well-established non-denominational and Seventh-day Adventist churches. By doing this we are able expose our students to a different kind of worship but also lead them to encounter Jesus in a worship experience, not just a worship service.

Some of the churches we visit are Mosaic in Hollywood, Mariners Church in Irvine, and Crosswalk in Redlands.

The first few of hours of each day is spent on learning about the theology and spirit of worship, worship leading, leadership skills, and musicality. A few examples of some the sessions we have are “The Theology of Worship”, “Spiritual Growth for Worship Leaders” and “How to Lead Rehearsal” Most of these sessions are done in lecture format with a time for question and discussion following the presentation by the speaker.

The speakers are mostly members of the AOW team who are all either full-time pastors or pastors in training.

The afternoons are when we get really practical. We devote the entire afternoon to hands-on coaching. During this time, the teams will either get instrument-specific teaching with a coach (e.g. drum coach, guitar coach) or they will have guided rehearsal times. For the instrument-specific teachings, we recruit a team of amazing volunteer musicians to come and share their knowledge and skills with the students. The goal of these session is for the teams to leave AOW with one set of 5 songs that they can go do back home at their local church that have been fine-tuned and perfected.

As they rehearse, our coaches will stop by to give feedback, direction, and encouragement.