Jerrod Vanderheiden | Southside Baptist Church

Jerrod currently lives in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and serves on the worship team at Southside Baptist Church, where he is an integral part of the worship-leading ministry. His experience as a worship pastor—combined with his skill and musical sensitivity on the acoustic guitar—will make this breakout session both practical and inspiring.

About the Breakout

The Acoustic Guitar Breakout is designed for anyone who plays or leads worship from guitar, at any skill level. In this session, Jerrod will cover how the acoustic guitar blends within a full worship band, techniques for leading confidently when playing solo, helpful gear ideas and recommendations, approaches to chord voicings, and many additional topics to strengthen your musicianship and leadership.

Rue Buell | The Church at Rock Creek

Rue is a worship pastor, guitarist, and creative director based in central Arkansas. He is currently serving as the Worship Pastor at The Church at Rock Creek. Rue spent the last decade playing electric guitar on stages of all sizes, building/training worship teams, and helping musicians grow in both skill and confidence. 

About the Breakout

The electric guitar breakout will discuss how today’s worship guitarists create the sounds you hear in your favorite songs and every Sunday on stage. From ambient delay and reverb textures to expressive lead lines, dynamic layering, and essential playing techniques, this session will guide you through the tools, techniques, and musical approaches used in different worship settings. Whether you’re new to electric guitar or a seasoned player, this session will help you better support your worship team, serve the song with intention, and grow as both a musician and a worship leader.

Colt Landreth | FBC Cabot

Colt is the worship pastor at FBC Cabot and is always on the search for the next groovy worship song; either published or self-written. The bass guitar was Colt’s introduction to music at the age of 13 and he has played bass for over 25 years. 

About the Breakout

In this bass breakout, you will learn the concept of “groove” found in music. After taking the breakout, you will leave with an understanding of how to listen for and apply said groove. This will be achieved by learning the fundamentals of bass guitar and playing popular rhythms found in worship music. In addition to this, there will be a discussion on equipment that best suits you and the needs of your local church.

Stephen Curry | Immanuel Baptist Church

Stephen serves as the Worship Pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, AR. A pianist at heart with a deep love for music and technology across all eras and genres, he is passionate about equipping keyboardists of all ages with the tools and confidence to contribute meaningfully in any worship band setting.

About the Breakout

This breakout will explore how to design effective pad, synth, organ and string sounds for modern worship, along with practical strategies for setting your keyboard players up for success on Sunday mornings. We’ll walk through common best practices for keyboard rig design, volunteer-friendly workflows, and gear/software recommendations that help players feel confident, prepared, and excited to contribute.

Kasey Earl | Central Baptist Church

Kasey has been the Minister of Music and Worship at Central Baptist Church in North Little Rock since November 2018. Kasey has the unique perspective of actually leading worship from the drum set.

About the Breakout

Kasey’s drum track is a great option for drummers AND worship leaders. Kasey will share the keys to unlock the art of Low-Volume Drumming. He will also explore ways to take what a drummer hears on a demo and translate it to the context of your local church setting.

Dr. Mary Chung | Ouachita Baptist University

Dr. Mary Chung serves on the faculty of Ouachita Baptist University, where she teaches Piano Performance.

About the Breakout

In this breakout session, Dr. Chung will explore techniques for blending classical piano training with modern worship styles and band-driven settings, while also supporting more traditional worship environments. This session is designed to encourage and equip pianists of all skill levels for effective musical service to the Lord and His church.

Dr. Trent Broussard | Williams Baptist University

Trent Broussard serves as Assistant Professor of Music & Worship at Williams Baptist University. He is also an active performer with Opera Memphis and the West Michigan Opera Project.

About the Breakout

The Vocal Track is designed to equip singers to strengthen and sustain their voices for lifelong ministry. Participants will learn practical techniques for vocal health, exercises to expand voice range, and methods for blending and harmonizing in modern worship settings. Whether you’re a soloist, worship leader, or team vocalist, this session will help you sing with greater confidence, endurance, and artistry.

Arlo Harvey | First Baptist Russellville

Arlo Harvey has served First Baptist Russellville as their AVL technician since 2016 as well as an audio consultant through his own business. Arlo began pursuing a career in audio in 2008 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to attend the School of Audio Engineering. After graduation, Arlo interned and worked in various recording studios around Nashville, gaining valuable hands-on experience. 

About the Breakout

The AVL breakout will cover the basics of sound equipment, mixes, techniques, gear and will dive into deeper discussions of sound reinforcing and implementation as time allows. This breakout will offer a great opportunity to become more effective in leading as a part of the worship team from the console, no matter your skill level.

Mark Maier | First Baptist Rogers

Mark Maier has served as the Executive Pastor of Worship Ministries at First Baptist Rogers, Arkansas, since 2002. He has a unique gift for leading a congregation in meaningful corporate worship, guiding God’s people to express heartfelt praise while nurturing the spiritual growth of the church body. Come hear his heart for worship leadership and discover how these sacred moments can encourage, strengthen, and edify the church.

Greg Childress | Woodland Heights Baptist Church

Greg has been the worship pastor at Woodland Heights Baptist in Conway since 2018. He is passionate about multi-generational worship and uses his passion and talent as he leads this worship ministry to encourage the believer and proclaim the Gospel.

About the Breakout

Join Greg as he shares insights and techniques to inspire a worship ministry to move beyond performing music and into authentic worship and Gospel proclamation.

Joshua Smith | FBC Cabot

Joshua Smith has served as the Media Director at First Baptist Cabot since 2015. With extensive experience leading training sessions on both the basic and advanced functions of ProPresenter at various statewide events, Josh brings a passion for equipping churches with practical tools for effective media ministry. He is excited to lead the ProPresenter breakout session at the Arkansas Baptist Worship Conference.

About the Breakout

In this breakout, participants will begin with the fundamentals of ProPresenter to ensure a solid foundation. From there, we’ll move into advanced features that can elevate your church’s media capabilities. Topics will include lyric projection best practices, creating and using MIDI macros for lighting cues and screen control, assigning autotune keys for each song, and producing unique output configurations for both live and livestream environments. This session is designed to help you maximize the full power of ProPresenter in your worship ministry.

John Bolin | Semsen Music

John Bolin is an instructor at California Baptist and is currently serving churches nationwide through his ministry, John Bolin Ministries. Prior to this, John served in worship ministry for five years at Kingsland Baptist Church, as well as Houston's First Baptist Church for 12 years. John is viewed as a leading voice for worship ministries, choirs in worship, multigenerational worship, and family worship. He's been singing and leading since he was old enough to stand and has performed over 1300 concerts nationally and internationally, produced and sang on more than 20 albums, published over 100 original songs and arrangements, all while leading congregations of people in worship on a weekly basis. He and his wife Paige have 5 children, Grace, Hudson, John Luke, Levi, and Ellie.

About the Breakout

In this breakout, John Bolin will guide us through the many resources available from Semsen Music while introducing the new music for the coming year. Whether you lead a choir, orchestra, praise team, or band, or needing fresh arrangements for your corporate worship, join us for this exciting music preview.

Dr. Mary Chung | Ouachita Baptist University

Dr. Mary Chung serves on the faculty of Ouachita Baptist University, where she teaches Piano Performance.

About the Breakout

In this breakout session, Dr. Chung will explore techniques for blending classical piano training with modern worship styles and band-driven settings, while also supporting more traditional worship environments. This session is designed to encourage and equip pianists of all skill levels for effective musical service to the Lord and His church.

Mark Maier | First Baptist Rogers

Mark Maier has served as the Executive Pastor of Worship Ministries at First Baptist Rogers, Arkansas, since 2002. He has a unique gift for leading a congregation in meaningful corporate worship, guiding God’s people to express heartfelt praise while nurturing the spiritual growth of the church body. Come hear his heart for worship leadership and discover how these sacred moments can encourage, strengthen, and edify the church.

Greg Childress | Woodland Heights Baptist Church

Greg has been the worship pastor at Woodland Heights Baptist in Conway since 2018. He is passionate about multi-generational worship and uses his passion and talent as he leads this worship ministry to encourage the believer and proclaim the Gospel.

About the Breakout

Join Greg as he shares insights and techniques to inspire a worship ministry to move beyond performing music and into authentic worship and Gospel proclamation.

Andrew Chandler | Hot Springs Baptist Church

Andrew Chandler has served as the Worship Pastor at Hot Springs Baptist Church since 2019. Andrew leads a team of worship leaders gathered from local churches across Arkansas who have led worship in several different capacities including PraiseWorks, Master’Singers and other state events.

About the Breakout

Join Andrew and his team for Band Rehearsal Techniques! This breakout will offer an inside look at the techniques and gear used as they prepare for the second-session worship set. Experience a live rehearsal environment as we worship together and highlight essential skills for leading a productive, efficient, and engaging rehearsal.

Dr. Trent Broussard | Williams Baptist University

Trent Broussard serves as Assistant Professor of Music & Worship at Williams Baptist University. He is also an active performer with Opera Memphis and the West Michigan Opera Project.

About the Breakout

The Vocal Track is designed to equip singers to strengthen and sustain their voices for lifelong ministry. Participants will learn practical techniques for vocal health, exercises to expand voice range, and methods for blending and harmonizing in modern worship settings. Whether you’re a soloist, worship leader, or team vocalist, this session will help you sing with greater confidence, endurance, and artistry.

Arlo Harvey | First Baptist Russellville

Arlo Harvey has served First Baptist Russellville as their AVL technician since 2016 as well as an audio consultant through his own business. Arlo began pursuing a career in audio in 2008 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to attend the School of Audio Engineering. After graduation, Arlo interned and worked in various recording studios around Nashville, gaining valuable hands-on experience. 

About the Breakout

The AVL breakout will cover the basics of sound equipment, mixes, techniques, gear and will dive into deeper discussions of sound reinforcing and implementation as time allows. This breakout will offer a great opportunity to become more effective in leading as a part of the worship team from the console, no matter your skill level.

Joshua Smith | FBC Cabot

Joshua Smith has served as the Media Director at First Baptist Cabot since 2015. With extensive experience leading training sessions on both the basic and advanced functions of ProPresenter at various statewide events, Josh brings a passion for equipping churches with practical tools for effective media ministry. He is excited to lead the ProPresenter breakout session at the Arkansas Baptist Worship Conference.

About the Breakout

In this breakout, participants will begin with the fundamentals of ProPresenter to ensure a solid foundation. From there, we’ll move into advanced features that can elevate your church’s media capabilities. Topics will include lyric projection best practices, creating and using MIDI macros for lighting cues and screen control, assigning autotune keys for each song, and producing unique output configurations for both live and livestream environments. This session is designed to help you maximize the full power of ProPresenter in your worship ministry.

The conference will be held at First Baptist Church of Cabot.

Anyone involved in worship ministry is welcome to attend! This can be in a paid or volunteer capacity. 

Lunch will be provided for all attendees. We will have coffee available throughout the day as well as light refreshments.