BRENTON BROWN Coming back to Worship in the Park due to popular demand, International Worship leader, Songwriter and musician, Brenton Brown has written many worship songs including, “Everlasting God”, “Our God Saves”, “Hosanna (Praise is Rising)”, “Lord Reign in me”, “All who are Thirsty”, “Hallelujah (Your love is amazing)” and “Holy” all of which, and more, have been featured on the Vineyard Music UK albums ‘Come Now is the Time’ and ‘Hungry’, ‘Surrender’, ‘Holy’ and ‘Lord Reign In Me’. Brenton has also been one of the principle worship leaders on these albums. Brenton has also been involved as a co-producer on ‘Surrender’ and ‘Holy’. He released his first solo project, “Everlasting God” in 2006 and will soon be releasing his sophomore project entitled, “Because of Your Love”. His songs have been covered by such artists as Chris Tomlin, Lincoln Brewster, Kutless, and other chart topping artists. He has five songs in CCLI's top 100. He will be joined this year by his band. www.brentonbrown.com

Like everyone, Brenton has an unusual story. He grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. Studied in Oxford, England. And now lives in Malibu, California. So how did this all happen? Brenton first came to the attention of the wider church, as one of the young worship leaders on the first Vineyard UK recordings, Come now is the time and Hungry.

His songs Lord reign in me, All who are thirsty and Humble King joined songs like Come now is the time, Be the centre and Hungry. It wasn't a bad start to a recording career! But though these were his first recordings as a solo artist, Brenton had been leading worship in his home town in South Africa for a number of years.

The Lord got a hold of me while I was studying politics and law in Cape Town. After being confronted by the power of the gospel at a Bible study, I threw my lot in with a vibrant, multicultural church on campus while I continued to study politics and law at University'. Growing up during the demise of Apartheid made questions of social justice an obvious academic choice for Brown.

His studies went well and four years later he was on his way to Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. It was here he would encounter the Vineyard Movement and a style of worship that would affect churches across the nations. It was also here that he would participate in the recordings spear-headed by Brian Doerksen.

After finishing his studies in politics, philosophy and theology at Oxford university - and his recordings with Brian Doerksen, Brenton began work as the worship pastor for the local vineyard church in Oxford, accepting a worship leadership role for the Vineyard movement in the UK as well. Three records followed in as many years, Surrender (which included the Doerksen co-write, Your love is amazing), Holy and Doing the stuff (released as in the US).

MATT MAHER Singer/Songwriter/Worship Leader Matt Maher, with an incredible love for Jesus, and a heart to reach people for Christ, seeks to meet people where they are, not where he wishes they would be. Often referring to himself as a "musical missionary," Maher is still involved in local church ministry at St. Timothy Catholic Community, as well as helping out with the young adult ministry at All Saints Newman Center on the campus of Arizona State University. Maher shares, "It's so important to stay in community when you want to write for the church. That is where your songs come from; from your relationship with Christ, with your immediate family, and the family of believers."

Beyond serving with organizations like WorshipTogether.com, SpiritandSong.com, Passion, Youth Specialties, and Adore Ministries, Matt Maher is also a contributing artist for Life Teen, a high school youth movement that helped lead him to Jesus; his songs are being sung by the Church around the world. A number of Matt Maher-written songs have been recorded by other artists, including: "Your Grace is Enough," Maher's first radio single and a song for the church that was originally recorded by Maher's good friend, Chris Tomlin; "Unwavering," a reflection on the Beatitudes (recorded prior by Bethany Dillon); "For Your Glory," a new testament response to the book of Ecclesiastes (recorded by Phillips, Craig and Dean). He currently is climbing the charts with the top radio single, “As it is in Heaven”.

Check out more information at www.mattmahermusic.com

JESSE SHUSTER Jesse Shuster has been involved in Christian music and worship ministry for the past 15 years. Jesse has served as Worship Pastor at Eagle Nazarene.

After so much time being spent finding what methods really work in worship, I'm always led back to the conclusion that we only worship God to the extent that we know HIm.

Jesse recently released his first solo project titled "Flow". Here is what Worship Leader Magazine had to say- "A new artist with a lot of potential and a heart that is set in the direction of worship, Jesse Shuster is someone to keep an eye on. In a catchy, straightforward melodic beat that beelines to a chorus of drawn-out praise proclaiming God's worth, "Glory" opens the CD. Ironnically, it's a slam-dunk closing song for any service of worship. Then "There You Are" (featured on SongDISCovery volume 61) is an up-tempo tune to train our hearts on Christ and His strength. But make sure you get to the end where the standout track, "Full of You," is a quiet anthem that cries out for a greater portion of God's Spirit. A worship pastor in Idaho, Shuster's songs are tested and diverse enough that multiple worship styles will find purchase in "Flow". As well, the CD is enhanced with chord charts-a nice little addition for a CD that you will be able to bring into your service of worship, right away." -Worship Leader Magazine

Jesse has also had his songs be a part of worship compilation albums such as TOP 20 WORSHIP, SPIN360, and Song DISCovery alongside Chris Tomlin, Steve Fee, and Paul Baloche. Recently, artist Chelsie Boyd with Creative Soul Records picked up Jesse's song "Heaven is My Home" for her new record "IMAGE".

For more information visit www.JesseShuster.com and check out his music on iTunes.

MARK THORNTON Mark Thornton has been singing most of his life. A former Boise State University Defensive tackle, Mark made his first Idaho singing debut in 1984 singing the "best" National Anthem to ever be sung by a player in uniform at Bronco Stadium. He has been lending his vocal abilities, influence and songwriting talents to the Treasure Valley and the Northwest ever since. Mark has been a guest vocalist appearing onstage with numerous national recording artists such as “The Katina’s, The Parachute Band, Wayne Watson, Casey Corum, Above the Noise, & David Meece” and can be heard as a guest vocalist on both National and local recording artist CD projects. He is also in the process of completing his third solo CD.

Mark is the founder of Livn4HIM Ministries, a non-profit organization committed to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through music and the Word. Mark feels that music is one of the most influential means that can be used to cross denominational, cultural and racial boundaries. As a Christian he feels the need to tell those who are hurting what they need to hear, in a way that they want to hear it. Mark is committed to using music as a tool that will bring the lost to the Lord and also, encourage unity within the Body of Christ.

Mark has also served for the last 12 years as a Minister of Music at Capital Christian Center in Meridian, ID and sings throughout the U.S. and abroad sharing the message of God's love, joy and peace.

For more information go to www.livn4him.com and check out his music on iTunes.

KELLEY REID

Singer/songwriter, whose songs are being sung in churches along the western United States. He is sought after for conferences, songwriting competitions, and as a consultant of worship
ministry along with leadership. He is the writer of songs such as “Maker of my Heart”, “Reason to Sing”, “Deep Unto Deep”, and “Generous Grace”.

He is the founder of Worship in the Park and launched its first year in 2008. He has been instrumental in “putting the capital “C” back into Church” as he is known for saying. As he listened to God’s calling and stepped out in faith, he sought out and surrounded himself with people of the same passion and Worship in the Park was born. Worship in the Park 2008 was a huge success sharing the stage with Jeromy and Jennifer Deibler of FFH, Brenton Brown, Daniel Ornellas of Tree 63, Avery Stafford, and Esmeralda with close to 1,000 in attendance. Last year, God brought out Brenton Brown, Candi Pearson, Jonathan Shelton, along with local artists Jesse Shuster, Gordon Knapp, Scott Riggan, and Mark Thornton. God provided a powerful event that tripled in size last year. He strongly believes that the disunity in the Church today is not only due to theological issues, but mostly due to broken relationships amongst the brotherhood. He is a strong advocate of restoring unity in the Body of Christ.

He started his own publishing company entitled, Worship in the Park Publishing and continues to inspire others songwriters to write songs that support the mission of Worship in the Park. He wrote the anthem for Worship in the Park, that has closed the event every year entitled, “At Your Word.”

Kelley has served as the Worship Pastor at Caldwell Christian Church in Caldwell for the past four years and a half years now serves as the Executive and Music Pastor of Newberg Christian Church in Newberg, Oregon. He holds his Bachelors in Bible/Theology and Music from William Jessup University and his Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Biola University. He will graduate from Liberty Theological Seminary with his Master of Divinity next Spring. He is married to his beautiful wife Kimi and have a pug named “Lucy”.

MEAGAN MURPHY

Meagan has had the privilege of serving as a worshiper and vocalist in her local church for over 10 years. She has served in every area from children's ministry to youth, to corporate weekends. Her life journey of worship has brought her to realize that worship is the central and critical point in life when you choose to make God bigger than anything, no matter the life struggles or victories, and enter into new joy and trust everyday.

Meagan is confident that it is in those times we see the extent of God's unconditional faithfulness, hope, grace, and joy. Meagan currently serves as a Worship leader at the Boise State Campus ministry, Generation Church Downtown. She recently served as Worship Leader for (FCA) Fellowship of Christian Athletes annual sports camp as was greeted with rave reviews.

FELIENA CHAULK

Feliena Chaulk is licensed through Relevant Ministries, El Paso TX. She is an Associate Pastor at Harvest Life Church, although she is best known as the Praise & Worship leader of Harvest Life Church, where she passionately leads the people into the presence of God with the purpose of plowing open the atmosphere so that the Word can come forth.

Feliena has a heart to train people in the authority God has given them, to cause territories to be changed, and the heavens opened for the power of God to move freely.

 

 

NATE FOWLER

Nate Fowler’s new album, “Wherever You Go”, features “a great collection of love and love-lost tunes sung through Fowler’s breathy, Top-40 radio-friendly pipes” –Boise Weekly. Just months into his new record release, Fowler is gaining air-play and experiencing a quickly growing fan base in response to his contagious and ear catching pop/rock tracks that speak a message of faith and ministry through sincere hope and passion for life through Christ.

Much of the credit for Fowler’s comfort on stage is due to his South American tour at the age of 17 with a youth missions organization called Youth With A Mission. Traveling through Argentina, South America Nate and band put on free concerts at local churches, festivals, and helped create and implement local ministries. This trip was followed by a 2-month tour of West India at 19 to do many of the same things for the local Indian community. Fowler maintains a connection and warmth on stage that is second to none due to his experience and feeling "home" in front of an audience. He connects with his audience because he portrays a very clear sense of humility and responsibility in his calling of using music as a tool for ministry.

As a result of his powerful melodies, fulfilling lyrics, and heart for ministry Fowlers’ acoustic and full band act have shared the stage with such performers as: NEEDTOBREATHE, Dave Barnes, Todd Agnew, Collective Soul, Tyrone Wells, Hawk Nelson, Remedy Drive, and countless others. “I want everyone that hears this album to feel a story within the music. I want each song to be an experience, a soundtrack to a real life situation that encourages hope through whatever outcome,” Fowler notes about his sophomore EP.

With the release of his new EP, "Wherever You Go", Fowler continues to improve his onstage performance and worship leading by consistently booking shows throughout the Northwest while maintaining his full time ministry status at Foothills Christian Church in Boise, ID as a worship leader. He is quickly gaining support from fans and media outlets alike, being surrounded by those that are excited to see this up and coming artist pave his own way, following the calling that God has placed on his life.

Check out Nate's music at www.natefowlermusic.com

ERNIE GARZA

Originally from Victoria, Texas, Ernie grew up playing guitar at his grandfather's church.

He attended Evangel University in Springfield Missouri and Boise State University Ernie is happily married to Sarah and they have 3 children. Jordan 6 (girl), Mayah 4 (girl), Jaxton 1 (boy).

Ernie has served as part of Valley Church's Worship team since 2005 and recently took the helm as the Worship Arts Pastor.

Ernie is a member of the Treasure Valley Worship Leaders Band and has a great passion for Worship & Praise.