Retreat designed to magnify arts in worship

A Baptist church in Evans will hold a retreat this weekend in hopes of enriching the worship experience through music and praise ministries.

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Gospel Water Branch Baptist Church will present its inaugural Access Presence Worship and Arts Retreat beginning at 7 p.m. Friday and ending on Sunday.

Religious specialists from throughout the United States will hold workshops at the retreat. Each seminar is designed to intertwine the power of worship with the excellence of the arts, said Gospel Water's minister of music, Kevin Staley.

"It's open for anyone that has an interest in worship and arts ... anyone who wants to enhance their ministry," Staley said. "We really thought it would be a great benefit to the community as well."

One of the specialists to attend the retreat is Christian musician Rusty Watson of Oakland, Calif. Watson, who has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and has been nominated for Stellar and Grammy awards, will teach an adult choir and vocal master class, Staley said.

Other workshops will include youth choir, praise and worship, as well as the religious spirit of dance and drama.

Staley said the church strives to promote excellence and unity within worship and all arts ministries.

"We really stress teamwork," he said.

The cost of attending the conference is $25 per person and $15 for groups of five or more.

Those interested can register at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the church at 703 Furys Ferry Road in Evans.

"I really want them to take away a greater appreciation for the presence of God and worship as a whole," Staley said.

A concert headlining the conference instructors will take place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the church. A Sunday concert featuring all retreat participants will start at 5 p.m. Each is open to the public.

For information about the retreat, call (706) 860-7091.