Above: Last year’s inaugural Heartland Worship event at OBU set the stage for “the future of this conference and its vision,” said Matt Roberson, Heartland Visionary, Director, OBU Worship. Shown here at the evening concert are, from left, Robbie Seay, worship leader; Dave Keil, drums; Addi Panter, worship leader; Ethan Seay, bass and Josh Duncan, worship leader.
The 2025 Heartland Worship Conference, sponsored by Oklahoma Baptist University, will bring nationally recognized worship leaders, pastors and musicians to Together We Church in Yukon Sept. 26-27 for two days of teaching, music and training for ministry leaders.
Main sessions will feature Matt Roberson, conference visionary, lead pastor of Connection Church in Marlow and director of worship studies at Oklahoma Baptist University. Roberson previously served 17 years as a worship pastor and continues to lead worship nationally. He is the author of ALIGN: A Church’s Shift from Tradition to Mission.
Also speaking will be Cody Dunbar, worship and creative pastor at Together We Church. An Oklahoma native, Dunbar is known for using creative arts to point people toward Christ.
Charlie Hall, worship and liturgy pastor at Frontline Church in Oklahoma City and former touring songwriter and musician, will bring his focus on mentoring leaders through relationship and soul care.
Robbie Seay, executive vice president of leader development and content for The Worship Initiative, a Dallas-based collective of worship leaders, songwriters and musicians, will also take the stage.
Matt Boswell, pastor of The Trails Church in Texas and professor of worship ministries at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, will speak on worship leadership. Boswell is also a hymn writer with a focus on corporate worship and liturgical history.
Marshall Hall, worship pastor at Northland Church in Longwood, Florida and former member of the Gaither Vocal Band, will share insights from a career that has earned him Grammy and Dove awards and included performances with leading gospel and country musicians.
Breakout sessions will address practical skills and leadership development for worship ministry, including leading from the drum kit, church audio production, acoustic guitar techniques, worship keys and music directing, bass tone and dynamics, producer-style musicianship and vocal engagement. A session titled “Called Up: Exploring Worship Ministry” will be offered for high school students interested in worship ministry as a calling or career.
The conference schedule includes a Friday evening Night of Worship, multiple breakout sessions on Saturday and a closing worship service. For more information or to register, visit the Heartland Worship website at heartlandworship.life.
Learn more about OBU’s worship studies program at okbu.edu/programs/worship-studies.html.
