Alumni News and Stories
From the August 2025 Edition of Anamnesis.
David Belt, M.W.S. 2020
David is the Music Director at All Saints Dallas. He writes, “Our church just released the song “Psalm 99: Feast of the Transfiguration.” We wanted to give our folks a way to sing Psalm 99 word for word by chanting it. I composed the music to the Psalm using Simplified Anglican Chant–something I was introduced to at IWS. I want to thank the whole faculty and staff at IWS for planting this seed in me and for cultivating a worshipful environment in my education at IWS. The seed has bloomed into this song today. Rachel Bundy, current D.W.S. student, serves on our worship team and plays the violin on this recording.”
Don Fugate, D.W.S. 2004
“IWS was a life-changer for me. Raised and educated as a Southern Baptist, I was made aware of IWS by Merril Smoak (DWS 2002). On his glowing recommendation, I started on the greatest educational and spiritual journey of my life. The interaction with the incredible professors was challenging and inspiring. The koinonia I shared with my fellow “Deltoids” was precious. I met brothers and sisters from other denominational “tribes” and they enriched my life. Through IWS I was introduced to new authors and books that expanded my thinking. In 2007, my role changed at Foxworthy Baptist Church in San Jose from Associate Pastor/Music to Senior Pastor. I am presently in my 42nd year at the church. I am also serving as an Adjunct Professor at Gateway Seminary. This semester I am teaching Pastoral Ministry and Leadership to MDiv students. I am eternally grateful for IWS.”
Jim Hart, D.W.S. 2002
Jim recently launched a blog on Substack–Adoratio. Look forward to some wisdom and good reading! It’s free to subscribe. Here is a recent post: Darkness is My Closest Companion: Leading On Empty, Part 1.
Larry Kochendorfer, D.W.S. 2008
Larry Kochendorfer was recently elected to serve as the National Bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCC). See the announcement here. Larry served as Bishop of the Synod of Alberta and the Territories (2012-24) and has also worked in congregations in Dickson, Lethbridge and Edmonton, Alberta. He has been serving as interim pastor at Our Redeemer, Penticton, B.C., as well as assistant to the bishop in the British Columbia Synod.
Gary Matthews, D.W.S. 2004
“I remember being in the first class of IWS when Bob Webber and the faculty convinced me of the importance of the Church Year—the rhythm of living a spiritual journey, not only for our churches, but for our individual lives. I didn’t come from a tradition that practiced the Church Year, but through my studies at IWS I became a believer rather quickly. Inspired by the recent publication of Dr. Dan Sharp’s book, Ashes to Advent, I created a project entitled The Life of Jesus with Hymns and Corresponding Video. The viewer can grow in their worship of God as we move through the major events of our Savior’s life from Advent to Heaven. I simply want to share the legacy that I received at IWS and help people walk the rhythm of the Church Year in their worship lives. The video is available here.”
Oluwatayo Oloyede, D.W.S. 2023
In the late spring, Tayo and his wife, Christiana, moved to Traverse City where he became the Director of Worship at Faith Reformed Church. Locals call the area “a slice of heaven.” Tayo plans worship, leads the worship team and the newly formed youth band, The Royals. The church is a multi-generational church of over 75 years and has become an integral part of the Traverse City community through outreach programs and partnerships with other organizations. Tayo and Christi are blessed to be a part of what God is doing at the church and in the area, which locals call “a slice of heaven.” Tayo also serves as the IWS Director of Admissions and Sessions Director. Hopefully the move from Florida to northern Michigan will not be too much of a shock come winter!
Lowana Porter Wallace M.W.S. 2019
Lowana reports: “My family and I recently moved to Birmingham AL, where I’m working as the music leader for the contemporary service at the Cathedral Church of the Advent. I’m feeling really grateful and excited for this opportunity to serve.”
Sally Powell, M.W.S. 2020, D.W.S. 2025
I asked Sally to share about the curriculum she developed as a result of her doctoral thesis work. She writes, “Foundations, Course 1 in the Spiritually Formative Worship curriculum series, equips church worship ministry leaders to understand, evaluate, and conduct their work as a discipleship ministry. The self-paced, online course is interactive, practical, and hands-on, guiding liturgical leaders to discover and orient their ministry around the why of gathered worship. Together with the upcoming Elements and Methods courses, this series equips and energizes church worship ministry leaders for the work to which God has called them. I’ve also recently partnered as a workshop panelist and will be a symposium lecturer in January 2026, with Teach Us to Worship, an intergenerational worship initiative funded for the PCA by a Lilly Endowment.
“If you serve in church worship ministry, please join me for a Third Thursday Coffee Chat, held monthly at 1:00 PM Eastern. Bring your own coffee (or lunch or tea or fancy sparkling water) and enjoy an hour of stimulating conversation, hearty laughter, and genuine encouragement, loosely arranged around a relevant topic. These online gatherings remind me of lunch-table conversations at IWS and are quickly becoming a lifeline, combating the isolation that often accompanies ministry life. Sign up to receive the meeting link.”
Bill Price, D.W.S. 2004
“I was hired as the Pastor of Worship at Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, VA (metro DC) two years ago. The church’s theology of worship paired wonderfully with what I learned at IWS, and we are learning and growing together as we serve the Lord. We have about 150 people serving in the worship ministry. In February. we took 45 of our musicians from the choir, orchestra and children’s ministry to the Dominican Republic for our first worship missions trip. Some of our orchestra members provided master classes at a music academy run by the former Minister of Fine Arts (yes, a cabinet-level position in the government for fine arts!). They provided advanced instrumental training and had many opportunities to share the gospel. Another team spent the week at a school in a remote village establishing a music education program for 1st – 8th graders. My team spent time at a Christian school, an orphanage, and a special needs school.
“Before the trip we interviewed pastors and church musicians to learn what they needed from us. At each location they identified sound theological training related to worship as their greatest need, followed by musical training for those who lead worship. I was able to teach a four-hour training conference on the biblical and theological basis of worship to 30 pastors and worship leaders. They were asking all the right questions and were wrestling to integrate biblical principles in their cultural context. I left with great joy after connecting with these brothers and sisters. One evening our musicians joined with the choir and orchestra of Iglesia Biblica del Senor Jesu Cristo in Santo Domingo for a wonderful time of bilingual worship. This trip allowed us to establish relationships that will open the door for future ministry. It was life-changing for our people as well. I encourage all my IWS friends to find ways to take your worship ministry outside your church building.”
Paul Sunderland, D.W.S. 2017
After 13 years of teaching at Greenville University, Paul has accepted the position of Worship Arts Associate Professor faculty position at Asbury University in Wilmore, KY.
Are Zu Bonakdarpour, M.W.S. 2025
“I graduated with my M.W.S. in June, becoming the first Iranian to do so from IWS! I have faced significant challenges both before and after leaving my homeland. Living in the diaspora since early adolescence added new layers of complexity to an already difficult journey. My studies took much longer than expected, but the progress along the way has been nothing short of remarkable. I want to thank Dr. Jim Hart for his unwavering support and encouragement throughout my MWS journey. His belief in my potential and steadfast guidance made a profound difference. Earning this degree has been a major milestone, not only strengthening my academic foundation, but also fostering deep inner healing and resilience.
“Over the years, I have ministered primarily among Farsi-speaking believers. My worship music album, music videos, and internship have all been in Farsi. At this pivotal time in history of Iran and the Middle East, I am more convinced than ever that I was born for such a time as this. If anyone is interested in collaborating with me in this next chapter, especially in the areas of teaching and training, I’d be happy to connect.” Are Zu
Read more from Anamnesis: The IWS Newsletter.
It’s inspiring to see the amazing journeys of IWS alumni and how their experiences continue to impact worship and ministry around the world. Their stories are a testament to the power of faith-driven education and community.