What is worship?

Worship is much more than a genre of music, or a portion of a service. Encounter: Worship Discipleship is a program that aims to tear down the cultural assumptions and get back to what God created it to be. 

There will be training on what it is to be on a worship team. The group will be given the opportunity to lead on a mixture of Friday or Saturday Nights, and Sunday Mornings. 

Playing on teams is not a requirement but an opportunity. If you do not feel comfortable or are not sure if you can do that part, please do not let that stop you from joining us. 

This is a space for everyone who is wanting to grow in their knowledge and understanding of worship, and grow their relationship with Christ. We do so much more than just focus on worship. 

Besides instruments and singing, we use creative ways to worship, learning that the production side of services is just as much of an opportunity to lead worship. There are also opportunities to express worship through writing, painting, bible reading, prayer and much more. 

What our students are saying...

Encounter is a place to learn why and how we should worship based on the bible, compared to how we are actually worshiping. We learn what it means to be a leader in worship. Encounter is a place where we can openly share our opinions and ask questions about worship and other topics, without judgement.  - James Pope

Encounter is learning to understand worship in all aspects, not just singing. - Liam Sweeney

Its a learning place but also a heart place. We learn about the physical side of worship but also the emotional and spiritual side. Its a safe spot to share and learn. - Hana Plett

It's a time to really look at what it is to worship. Looking at things like what are we really doing when we go up on a stage to play on a Sunday morning, and what we are trying to facilitate to the congregation. - Kevin Terceros

I started Encounter when I was in grade 9. I'll be honest, I had to be pushed to join because I was shy and group studies like that scared me. My first few sessions were uncomfortable to say the least, but as I was continuously pushed out of my comfort zone, I discovered a passion for leading worship that I didn't realize I had. I learned more from my first year about what it is to worship and how it can look in our everyday lives than I had in my entire life. I got to experience being a part of a team that doesn't just play music together, but worships together. I started looking forward to my Tuesday night's because it meant that I was spending time with friends and learning about something that I had an interest and a joy for. I developed as a worship leader but also as a person. Gaining confidence and knowledge in who I am in Christ. I highly recommend Encounter, not only to the teens, but to the young adults. Learn an instrument, grow your ability, and learn to use your talents to glorify God. It doesn't matter what you think about your own ability or your thoughts on worship, because Encounter provides you with a whole new perspective.   - Chloe King