From the President

Dear Alumni, Students, Faculty, Staff, Trustees and Friends of IWS,

One legitimate way of reading the entire biblical narrative is this: God is calling his creation to right worship. Right worship rightly orders the individual, the family, the church, community, nation, and even the entire cosmos. Through right worship we become rightly aligned to the triune God through Jesus Christ, the primary worshipper. The privilege of learning about the priority of worship in the Body of Christ is a most critical educational and missional endeavor. By God’s grace IWS is fulfilling that mission all around the globe, setting the Church on fire with the love of God and the Good News of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. St. Irenaeus wrote, “God did not ask us to follow him because he needed our help, but because he knew that loving him would make us whole. ”In right worship we become reconciled to the one who made us and loves us.

The 2014-2015 fiscal year was another record-breaking year. I am delighted to report that IWS continues to stay the course in fulfilling the Lord’s mission and the vision of our founder Robert Webber as students and graduates take Christian worship renewal around the globe. With great thanks to God, we exceeded all of our fiscal year goals. On-campus enrollment rose by 7% to the highest level ever. Additionally, we had the highest total giving to both the IWS Fund and the Scholarship Funds in our history with an increase of 20% over last year's record-breaking year. During this past fiscal year IWS has continued its initiatives in worldwide impact. IWS’ reach has extended into the nation of Ethiopia, bringing the number of countries represented in the community to 26. At June’s graduation, 37 students received their degrees and embraced the commission to serve the Kingdom of God through renewed worship. Thanks be to God for his abundant blessing made evident throughout the entire IWS community! The impact of IWS is steadily growing worldwide while remaining rooted in the theological perspectives, relational sensibilities and pedagogical philosophy of its founder, Bob Webber.

Please take a moment to read in this annual report how IWS alumni are having impact across the globe. The ongoing fulfillment of our mission is truly a team effort, a team that includes each of you. Many in the IWS community have taken their places in their support of our mission by investments of time, talent, treasure and prayer, and we are deeply grateful. We are relying on your generosity toward God and your prayers to continue building the foundation we need for a secure future. Your gifts are wisely invested in our students and the mission of our beloved institute.

My wife, Carol, and I would like to invite you to participate with us sacrificially and joyfully in the mission of our school. As Galatians 6:6 states: “One who is taught the Word must share all good things with the one who teaches. ”IWS is good ground into which you may sow your seed of spiritual and financial generosity toward God. Together let us all thankfully, joyfully and generously support the Lord’s work in the supremely important and Kingdom-building activity of worship renewal through IWS.

Grace and peace to you,
James R. Hart, President

From the Chair of the Board of Trustees

Dear Friends,

As chair of the Board, I am so grateful for the many friends God provides to support IWS as the Institute continues to serve His church. Each session that I am on campus I am reminded of the wonderful work God is doing here in the lives of our students and in their respective ministries.

Bob Webber's vision of a school focused on the theology of worship, imbedded in a local church, and in community is palpable. It is especially evident as we gather together for common meals, engaging one another and fellowshipping together, or when we join together in worship each morning in the sanctuary.

So I thank each of you who have supported our ministry here at IWS. Your gifts are having a worldwide impact as worship leaders are sent back to their home churches, schools and other contexts, applying what they have learned. IWS is truly having an impact on the lives of thousands of God’s children around the world and you make that possible. Thanks be to God!

In His service,
John Lindsell, Chair, Board of Trustees


The Board of Trustees of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies is

dr. John H. Lindsell,
Chair
rev. dr. Luder G. Whitlock,
Vice Chair
rev. dr. Wayne Freeberg,
Secretary/Treasurer
rev. dr. Gerald Borchert
dr. Karen Carpenter
dr. Melva Costen
dr. James R. Hart
dr. Yilee Lo
ms. Joanne Lindsell Webber
ms. Patricia Witt
Students in Class

Spotlight

For more news about students, faculty and alumni, check out Anamnesis.

Beth Argot

Beth Argot

D.W.S. Student

Vincent Zarletti

Vincent Zarletti

M.W.S. Alumnus + D.W.S. Student

Clay Berry

Clay Berry

D.W.S. Student

Christabel Wong

Christabel Wong

D.W.S. Student

Stained Glass

Thank You

Thanks be to God for those who give of their prayers, time, talent, and treasure! We would be unable to continue in our mission without your generous giving.

Leader ($10,000+)

Karen Carpenter & Edward Marram
including a gift in memory of David Witt
Linda & Hugh Evans
James & Carol Hart
in memory of Bob Webber
Yilee & Ted Lo
The Murray Family Trust
The Pine Tree and Myrtle Fund ~ Isaiah 55
Daniel & Nancy Sharp
including gifts in memory of Floyd & Mary Sharp
Patricia & David Witt

Benefactor ($5,000+)

The JCT Foundation
David & Darlene Garmus
Robert & Janice George
Grace Anglican Church
Sandy & Nancy Morris
Joanne Lindsell Webber

Partner ($2,500+)

Cortlandt & Annette Bender
Gerald & Doris Borchert
Constance Cherry
including a gift in memory of Ruby Cherry
James & Judy Dodge
Jeffrey & Bridgett Hager
Martha Shultz
in memory of her parents

Investor ($1,000+)

Jim & Mary Kay Altizer
Dennis & Dianna Andrews
David & Linda Collins
Rusty & Caroljo Creighton
David Ellison
Beryl Elwood
Edna Grenz in honor of Stanley Grenz
Myles & Helen Henderson
Andrew & Teri Hill
Heather Hood including a gift in memory of Ruby Cherry
Esther & Jim Howson
John & Stephanie Lindsell
Alison Moore
George Moore
Michael & Mary Moratto
NAS Jacksonville All Saints Chapel
David & Lois Pannabecker
David Porter
Bill Price
Ken & Ann Rushing
Sawgrass Asset Management
Sarah Sasen
Jack & Rosanne Van Marion
Kent & Candy Walters

Supporter ($500+)

Gary & Sue Achtemeier
Jeffrey & Lisa Allred
Jeff & Karen Barker
Jack & Kay Bliss
Jayne & Wiley Chambers
Danny Chu
Jessica & Scott Coleman
Lynford Coleman
Judy Congdon
Greg & Debra Driskell
Epiclesis Church
Frank & Berit Fortunato
Dinelle Frankland
Will & Kim Hall
Carl Hanes
Darrell & Janet Harris
Steve & Janet Huntley
Calvin Lam
Brad & Wendy Layland
Kendall Lord
Charles Mangham
Erika & Joe Nieves
Eric & Eunice Ohlmann
Sylvia Ooi
Lester & Carmen Ruth
Will & Janie Thompson
Emily Vermilya in memory of Ruby Cherry
Teck Beng Yeo

Contributor ($100+)

Rebecca Abbott
Travis Abercrombie
AlAnon
Chris & Sheila Alford
Frank & Sharon Alters
Lindel Anderson
Warren Anderson
Margaret Baker in memory of Ruby Cherry
Mike & Jo Berg
Nancy Beyer
Fred Blesse
Eric & Janet Bolger
Dorothy Boyd
Andrew Braine in memory of David Witt
Emily Brink
Jarrod & Lisa Brown
Robert Burns
Thomas Burns
Lisa & Rocco Canora
Robert & Sarah Cecire in memory of Ruby Cherry
Vernon Charter
Kai Ton & Wendy Chau
Harold Cherry in memory of Ruby Cherry
T.S. & E.S. Cherry in memory of Ruby Cherry
Perry Chow
Paul & Ebbie Clark
Steven Clarke
Kathy & Richard Cole in memory of Ruby Cherry
Terri & Douglas Coleman
Melva Costen
Marvin Crawford
Richard & Alana Cummings
Bob Davies
Leona & Harry Davis
Carmen & Kathy DeLisi
Chris Diffenderfer
Dale Dirksen
Peter Leslie Doane
Jay Dyrland
William Eichorn
Larry & Jill Ellis
Jacquelene & Sutton Farnham
Mary Feitig
Michael & Cheryl Field
Julia Fitzpatrick
Ryan Forbes
Alesia Ford-Burse & Winston Burse
Wayne Freeberg
Patrick Friesen
Don Fugate
Keith Gaddis
Gibbs Subs
Gift of Life NA
Craig Gilbert
Stephen & Jeannie Gill
Christopher & Adair Gillette
Dawn Gilmore
Nancy Ginsburg
Buzz & Susan Glade
Gary Hallquist
Donna Hawk-Reinhard & Doug Reinhard in honor of Donald W. Hawk
Jim & Mimi Hawkinson
Wallace Horton
Rich & Gayle Hoshour
Susan Huckaby
Gordon & Ginger Jensen
Bob & Catherine Johnson
Reggie & Shari Kidd
John & Patti Kreutzwieser
Kenton Lee
Karen & George Lewis
Clair Lundberg
John Magnuson
David Manner
Deanna Martello
Susan Massey
Christi & John Matteson
William Maxon
Stan & Betty McKee
Linda McKenzie
Roger Monroe
Jeremy Montgomery
Tom & Teresa Morton
Woodrow Nail
David & LaVonne Neff
Jonathan & Glenda Nelms
Nancy & Paul Nethercott
Doug & Margy Nihoul
Carl & Chris Park
Jonathan & Faith Powers
Michael & Kim Ramey
Rune Rasmussen
Alan & Elissa Rathe
Doug & Diane Reader
Jason & Amy Reese in honor of Dianna Andrews
Barbara Reid
David Riegert
Chuck & Robin Rinke
Christopher & Janet Roberts
Martin Rude
Janet & Mark Sawicki
Grace Siu
James Smith
Nancy Stokes
David & Niiang Suum
Steven Tice
Sandra Treffinger
Herbert Tsang
Paul Turner
Jonathan & Aubrey Vinke
Lin Yu Wang
Luder & MaryLou Whitlock
Gregory & Janice Wilde
Larry & Wanda Witte
The Urban Bean

Donor (up to $100)

Wilma Arant
Calvin Austin
Otis Autry
David & Johanna Baker
Gregory Barmer
Don Barrick
Margaret Bellows
Patrick Bennett
Sue Benton
Brandon Bliss
Anne & Gregory Bloch
Janie Blough
Domini Boling
Christopher & Erin Brewer
Steven Brooks
Marcus Brown
Jen Bryd
Connie Bull
Philip Burkett
George & Pam Bush
Rick Capezza
Tami Cinquemani
Donovan Clary
Jennifer Clayton
Jordan Clegg
Jeannie Cobb
John Conlin
David Cook
Alan Cooper
Michael Cromwell
Vaughn CroweTipton
Timothy & Sarah DeBorde
Jerry Dennis
Sandra & Matt Dinkins
William & Teresa Drake
Paul Edgerton
Annette & Don Emery
Janet Faulkner in memory of Lyndel Vaught
Sally & Charles Finn
David Gallaugher
L. Mick Gilliam
Janette Gils
Shawn Gingrich
Ruth Goddard
Charles & Cynthia Goodman
Jonathan Grant
Gary Gregory
Timothy & Melissa Gregson
John Harmeling
Clifton Harris
C. Michael Hawn
Brian Hedrick
Esther Hetrick
Fred Heumann
Carol Hochhalter
Jeffrey Holmes
Sheila & David Hord
Samuel & Elise Horowitz
Patricia Howard
Ken & Dorothy Huston
Angela Isselhardt
Daniel Jackson
Merle & Lynn Jenkins
Stuart Johnston
Jessica & Bruce Jones
Jacob & Bobbie Kaufman
Kristin Keller
Lisa Kemp
Mark Labberton
Yat Hin Leung
John & Roberta Long
Joanne Lubarsky
Jeremy Lyzenga
Greg Magruder
Ken Makris
Kristen Mandrick
John Markin
Evelyn Martinez
Genilyn McCaffrey
Barbara Mercer
Carmela Middleton
Steven Moll
Jeff Moore
Larry Moore
Harlan Moore
Patricia Myers
Robert Myers
Paul & Linda Neeley
Carol & Odis Newbern
Rory & Sue Noland
Jerry & Lorri Patterson
Daniel Perrin
Alan & Karen Phillips
Ira Pinkston
Kenneth & Susan Polsley
Vallen Prest
Cauly & Roger Redenius
David & Linda Riesterer
Laura Ritter
Linda Robins
Brent Roes
June Rogers
Rhonda & Riley Rutland
David Satterwhite
Fred & Vicki Schert
Kathy Schlecht
Natasha Schmidt
Steven Scott
George Searcy
Wayne & Carol Sebesta
David Smith
Terry & Deb Soldo
Kristi Spinello
Robert Sproul
Linda Stapleton
Joan & Bruce Starnes
Janine Stastor
Constance Stella
Robert Still
Susan Stobe
Dianne Stone
Robert Thompson
United Auto Sales and Salvage
Cathryn Vitek
Brian Walker
Brian Walrath
Mark Watson
Robert & Dianne Wears
John Webb
Sharon & William Welsch
Bret Welstead
Johnny Wilder
Theo & Jolie Williams
Linda Wolbrecht
Women Step Together
Siu Kay Wong
Lori Woods
Jon Woodward
Jay & Amy Wright
Eric Wyse
James & Darby Young
Mary & Kirk Young
Robin Ziegenfuss

Host Home Sponsors

Dianna & Dennis Andrews
Libby & Jeff Berk
Kay & Jack Bliss
Sally & Steve Boes
Lori & Tyrie Boyer
Bunny & Jim Cannon
Brooke & Stuart Caplin
Jessica & Scott Coleman
June & John Conlin
Shirley & Billy Creech
Caroljo & Rusty Creighton
Yvette Cuny
Leona & Harry Davis
Karen & Dan Donovan
Solon Ellmaker
Danielle & Mike Euwema
Shirley Finney
Kathleen & Ray Fisher
Gayle & Sam Garrison
Susan & Buzz Glade
Cynthia & C.W. Goff
Pam & Garry Grueling
Allison & Todd Hastie
Helen & Pat Henry
Elise & Sam Horowitz
Gayle & Rich Hoshour
Molly & John Howze
Joe & Mary Jamerson
Ruth & Kenneth Johansen
Velma Marvin
Susan & Brian McInnis
Ann & Luke Memminger
Cinda & John Merrill
Teri & Art Mills
Lou Millson
Lea & Phil Montgomery
Martha & John Morrow
Teresa & Tom Morton
Robin & Frank Mosher
Courtney & Mark Murray
Mandy & Dave Nelson
Margie & Doug Nihoul
Cathy & Jay Patterson
Melissa & Dave Pruette
Cauly & Roger Redenius
Alice & Gus Richard
Martha & Don Robey
Janet & Mark Sawicki
Brenda & Mark Scott
Joan & Bruce Starnes
Susan & Joe Stepp
April & Rick Tischer
Stella & Jerry Vaughn
Shelley & Dave Vignola
Catherine & Jack Webb
Judy & John Widergren
Suzanne & Harry Williams
Lori & Tony Woods
Birgitta & Ren Zepp

Gifts In-Kind

Jeffrey Hager
James R. Hart
Gordon & Ginger Jensen
Scott Lakey
Donald Richmond
Rick Wallis
John Witvliet

Volunteers

Scott Coleman
Caroline Dinkins
Lillian Dinkins
Sam Garrison
Dakota Hawkinson
Sarah Hawkinson
Sue Polsley
Kenneth Roberts

Host Churches & Schools

Grace Anglican Church Fleming Island, FL
Grace Episcopal Church Orange Park, FL
Grace Episcopal Day School Orange Park, FL
Orange Park Presbyterian Church Orange Park, FL
St. Mary's Episcopal Church Green Cove Springs, FL

Partner Churches & Schools

Congregacion Berith Mexico City
Faith Community Church Saint Johns, FL
Gordon Memorial United Church Redcliff, AB
Grace Assembly of God Singapore
Greenville Free Methodist Church Greenville, IL
Hempfield United Methodist Church Lancaster, PA
The Highlands United Methodist Church Gainesville, GA
Immanuel Lutheran Church Loveland, CO
Knox Presbyterian Church Toronto, ON
Lincoln Heights Evangelical Missionary Church Waterloo, ON
New Life Church Ann Arbor, MI
New Life Church Princeton, MN
Peace United Church Irvine, AB
Prospect United Methodist Church Maxton, NC
Saugatuck Christian Reformed Church Saugatuck, MI
Shepherd's House of Restoration Clinton, MD
Southside Community Church Winston-Salem, NC
St. John's Chapel Charleston, SC
Vineyard Community Church Marietta, GA

Community Supporters

Grace Anglican Church
OP Performing Arts Academy
More Than Ink
TLC Total Lawn Care
Waste Not Want Not

President's Advisory Council for Excellence Members

Dennis Andrews
Cort Bender
Lori Boyer
Ken Brewer
Rusty Creighton
Carmen DeLisi
Greg Driskell, Chair
Jim Dodge
Alesia Ford-Burse
Wayne Freeberg
David Garmus
Jim Hawkinson
Greg Holton
John Howe
Steve Huntley
Jeff Mackey
Pat McSweeney
Doug Nihoul
Mark Scott

Intercessory Prayer Team Members

Dianna Andrews
Nancy Baker
Jessica Coleman
Sondra Crosswhite
Kathy DeLisi
David & Darlene Garmus
Carol Hart
Joyce Herness
Nancy Morris 
Vicki Schert 
Students Worshiping

July 2014 - June 2015

The Year in Review

 

  • Dr. Tamara Albrecht

    July 2014

    Alumna Tamara Albrecht passes away. IWS teaches and presents at NWLC Kansas. We bid resigning professor Keith Ray farewell.

  • Christi Matteson

    August

    Trustee David Witt passes away. Jessica Coleman is promoted to Advancement Coordinator.

  • Sam Horowitz

    September

    Sam Horowitz relocates back to Florida and rejoins the local administration and staff. IWS teaches and presents at Experience Conference in Orlando, FL.

  • Best of the Best logo

    November

    Worship Leader Magazine honors IWS among its “Best of the Best” in worship education for the fourth straight year. ABHE's David Medders holds a Development retreat with the staff.

  • Advent Lessons and Carols

    December

    The local community marks the season of Advent with IWS at our fifth annual Advent Lessons & Carols service.

  • 16th Anniversary logo

    January 2015

    A record-setting 114 students (29 new) are on campus for the January session. Jeff Barker preaches at Opening Convocation. Grace Anglican Church hosts three doctoral courses. Pat Witt receives an honorary trusteeship in recognition of her late husband David Witt's contributions. Dinelle Frankland, Donna Hawk-Reinhard, and Jessica Jones are appointed to the Faculty. Susan Massey is appointed Library Director with faculty status. Luder Whitlock rejoins the Board. Former faculty member Carla Waterman teaches a seminar on Lament and Longing. IWS bids farewell to longtime media servants Gordon and Ginger Jensen, and longtime faculty member Lester Ruth.

  • ABHE Logo

    February

    The Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education reaffirms its accreditation of IWS.

  • Emily Vermily and Kyle Reese preaching

    June

    A record-setting 122 students (32 new) are on campus for the June session. Emily Vermilya, D.W.S. alumna and M.W.S. professor, preaches at Opening Convocation. Alan Rathe is welcomed to the faculty to teach DWS 701, and Matthew Sigler fills in as professor for MWS 503. 37 students graduate at the 14th annual Commencement service (21 D.W.S., 14 M.W.S., 2 A.G.C.W.S.), bringing the cumulative number of graduates to 447. Kyle Reese, pastor of Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, Jacksonville, preaches at Commencement. Mark Labberton presents a seminar on “Worship That Shows and Matters.” Pat Witt joins the Board of Trustees and Luder Whitlock becomes Vice-Chair of the Board. Faithful Audio/Visual Coordinator Cort Bender retires from his post. IWS announces Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church as its new host church. IWS teaches and presents at NWLC Kansas City. Fundraising and Enrollment close out a record-shattering year.

Financial Report

For the year, Charitable Giving receipts totaled $283,367 (Unrestricted, Restricted, and Gifts-in-Kind). Fiscal Year Revenue totaled $981,816 and Total Expenditures were $853,633.


Cake celebrating 2015 graduates

Support IWS

We cannot say it enough: the ongoing work of forming servant leaders in Christian worship renewal worldwide depends upon generous gifts from our community. Please consider how you may participate with us in the renewal of the Church through a financial contribution and click an option below.

Give Monthly

Set up a recurring donation on your Visa or MasterCard. Customize frequency, commitment term length, and more.

Give Now

Donate to the IWS Fund or Scholarship Fund today by Visa or MasterCard, or make a one-time gift by other means.

Planned Giving

How much thought have you given to what is potentially the single-most generous give you'll make?

Ways to Support IWS

  • Donate by check (mailed to IWS, 4001 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207), cash (in the office only, please), or credit card (online)

  • Automated monthly giving (by MasterCard or Visa, or through your own bank's online bill-pay feature)

  • Matching corporate gifts

  • Gifts of securities/stocks

  • Electronic transfer of funds

  • Planned (legacy) giving

Giving Opportunities

  • Leader $10,000 & up

  • Benefactor $5,000–$9,999

  • Partner $2,500–$4,999

  • Investor $1,000–$2,499

  • Supporter $500–$999

  • Contributor $100–$499

  • Donor up to $100

Legacy Giving

We encourage the members of our community to employ long-term estate planning to maximize their legacy to their loved ones and to their charitable interests. We also strongly urge them to seriously consider IWS as one of their priority charitable interests. While the annual support of the IWS community is absolutely crucial to the fulfillment of our sustainable mission, deferred support like Estate Planning can leave a Kingdom legacy with an impact that spans generations. This kind of gift is the single most significant act of generosity toward God that most of us will ever perform.

For more information on this or any way of supporting IWS, call the office at 800-282-2977.

 

Give Monthly

Set up a recurring donation on your Visa or MasterCard. Customize frequency, commitment term length, and more.

Give Now

Donate to the IWS Fund or Scholarship Fund today by Visa or MasterCard, or make a one-time gift by other means.

Planned Giving

How much thought have you given to what is potentially the single-most generous give you'll make?

Holy Communion