Worship Academy
Worship Academy was founded in the UK by Chris Bowater in 2003. A ground-breaking new concept which has seen considerable success and expansion since its inception, it aims to serve local churches by training and equipping those with a passion for worship to become fully fledged “worship ministers” able to take their own churches to another level in worship and the life and presence of God. Over a two-year period, around 45 delegates come together from all corners of the British Isles for twelve weekends of practical and spiritual training, sharing, ministry, relationship-building, and ultimately commissioning back into serving their churches under an increased and sharpened anointing.
Chris has long had a passion for the French nation, and has been ministering and having a major influence here for the past 30 years. We are now partnering with him in the vision to see one or more Worship Academies established in France. The format and culture of a French Academy will, of course, be different from the UK Academy; but its ultimate purpose and DNA will be the same - to see those who are passionate about worship equipped and released to serve their local churches more effectively.
We believe that worship is key to any move of God in France, for two main reasons:
1. Our desire is to see God’s name raised up and honoured in a nation that is one of the most humanistic and secular in the world.
2. The French church is highly fragmented and disunity has been a prominent feature of the Christian landscape here. We believe that worship is a vehicle for breaking down spiritual, denominational and attitudinal barriers. Our vision is to see a Worship Academy brining together people and churches from across the denominational landscape.
Worship Academy France is still in the embryonic planning stage. We do not yet have a location or launch date. We believe that any work that is to last and produce good fruit must be well planted and grounded, so time and care are required to ensure that proper foundations are laid. Please pray for God’s guidance and blessing in this area, and in particular that He will lead us into key strategic relationships that enable us to “partner for purpose” with ministries and churches.