Matt Freeman had been in ministry for years when he joined the South Carolina Baptist Convention as the Director of Worship and Music. 

Freeman wanted to provide the same kind of support he had been given as a young leader. “My relationships with other worship leaders were invaluable,” Freeman claimed. “I had a network of people I could talk to about issues, new technology, and new techniques. I could ask them for help.” This inspiration led to the foundation of the Worship and Music Cohort. 

A Worshipper Finds Rest

Brian Hill walked into Journey Church as a burnt-out former church staff member. “It was one of the first times I had experienced a church that was relationship-first. They cared way more that my wife and I had a home church to plant in and grow in. They didn’t need something from me,” Hill shared. After a few months, Hill let the church know he could play guitar and would be happy to step back into worship leading. 

An Unofficial Cohort Forms

Four years later, Hill became the Worship Director at Journey Church. “There were a bunch of people who Journey had sent out who were now full-time worship pastors,” Hill stated. “I wanted to gather all of these people together. It’s important to me that we break down the myth of scarcity of resources between churches. It’s not one church versus the other. We’re on the same mission with different methods.”

“On his own, he started inviting other worship leaders to meet with him regularly,” Freeman recalled. “After we met, it was evident that we were on the same page and wanted to provide this kind of network community to worship leaders in the Charleston area.” Hill and the other worship leaders were more than happy to join the Worship and Music Cohort.

Reaching a Community

In April, Journey Church hosted a combined night of worship with four other churches in the area: Creekside Church, Restoration Church, Church of Cane Bay, and Bridge Church. They combined vocalists, formed a large choir, and performed songs that were beloved by each congregation. “We had Gospel, modern contemporary Christian music, and hymns. It was a great turnout, and it was awesome to show off each others’ strengths,” Hill stated. 

“Since starting the cohort, worship leaders in that area feel more loved and cared for. They are better trained and equipped, needs are taken care of, and there’s more partnership in raising the next generation of worship leaders,” Freeman added. “There’s more connection and unity among the churches involved.”