July 1-5, 2002, a team from the U.S. will be leading the second annual Ghana Worship Workshop for worship leaders, pastors, singers and musicians of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana. Sponsored by Anchored Music Ministries (www.anchoredmusic.com) in association with Covenant Theological Seminary of St. Louis, MO, and EP Church of Ghana, the workshop will be held again at Christian Leadership Institute (CLI) in Madina-Adenta. Classes will focus on Vocal Techniques, Music Theory & Arranging, Team Building & Relationships, Songwriting, and Drama in Worship as well as a special lecture on the History of Christian Worship.

Team leader, and Anchored Music founder, Bryan Thomas reports: “We are thrilled with the privilege of leading another workship this year at CLI. My experience the past two years in coming to Ghana has been life changing, and I am always excited to have the privilege of returning.” Other team members include Suzanne Bates and John Heine, also from St. Louis, as well as Mark Sheffield from Atlanta. Two more will be announced later.

Last year, the workshop covered Songwriting, Arranging, Music Reading, Worship Planning, History of Christian Music and Psalms in Worship. Plans are already in the works for a third and fourth workshop in 2003 and 2004 respectively. “The third workshop will focus on choirs,” Thomas reports. “We are looking to bring six experts in choir in to work with a larger group on everything from vocals to arranging and movement. The fourth will be similar in focus to the 2001 and 2002 workshops.”

In addition, Thomas will be bringing copies of his just released “GLORIOUS” album of worship songs, which features four songs with direct ties to his work in Ghana. “Kafu Yesu,” written with a leader of the church, “Never Go Back” written with a student, “Jehovah,” a popular praise song used in many EP Church of Ghana services, and a translation of Thomas’ own “I Believe” in Ewe. “I am most excited to share this collection with my friends and family in Ghana,” Thomas states. “Several of the songs come directly out of my ministry work there, and many more were featured in the songbook published for the workshop in 2001.”

In addition to the workshop, Thomas and the team will be touring the Volta and Eastern regions as well as visiting 4 EPC of Ghana churches and hopefully others. “We would welcome the opportunity to share our joy in worship and the arts at other churches,” Thomas says. “Anyone interested should be in touch.”

More information on Anchored Music Ministries can be found at www.anchoredmusic.com or by contacting 314-781-9120 in the U.S.

Covenant Theological Seminary can be reached at www.covenantseminary.edu or 314-434-4044 x379. Evangelical Prebsyterian Church of Ghana can be reached at www.geocities.com/epcofghana/ or 220381.