Dr. Jim Altizer
Bachelor of Music, University of the Pacific
M.A. in Teaching/Music Education, University of the Pacific
Doctor of Worship Studies, The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies
- Dr. Jim Altizer has served for more than twenty years in three churches as a minister of music and director of worship. Concurrently, he has been a professional trumpet player for more than 35 years, performing in both the Baroque and commercial arenas. He has produced eight CDs and has authored a worship curriculum entitled “Roadmaps for Worship,” a DVD curriculum entitled “Exploring Worship,” and many other resources. He leads and teaches at conferences both nationally and internationally, and is currently releasing a worship-leading textbook entitled, “The Making of a Worship Leader.”
Visit Dr. Altizer’s website at www.roadmapsforworship.com
Dr. Chris Brewer
B.A., Biblical and Theological Studies & Youth Ministries, Gordon College
M.Th., Theological Studies, The Kaleo Institute
Doctor of Worship Studies, The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies
- Dr. Chris Brewer knew that the Lord had called him into full time ministry on his first day of sixth grade youth camp. The calling would lead him to study at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts where he would earn a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Biblical and Theological Studies and Youth Ministry. Soon after graduation, he married and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida to serve as the youth minister at Northeast Presbyterian Church. Wanting to be closer to his parents, he eventually moved his family to Jacksonville and took a job as the youth pastor at Memorial United Methodist Church in Fernandina Beach. Simultaneously, Chris released his first studio album, Why Calvary? and began a traveling ministry as a camp and conference worship leader and speaker. He was the guest speaker and musician for numerous Methodist, Presbyterian and Lutheran youth camps all over the country. In 2001, Chris helped his father found Brewer Christian College and continued his own studies, graduating from The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies in 2008. His doctoral thesis, which examined the concept of online chapel, was completed under the supervision of his mentor and good friend Dr. Andrew Hill, noted Old Testament scholar from Wheaton College. Since earning his doctorate, Chris served as the Director of Distance Learning at The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, has led worship and served as a workshop speaker for the annual conferences of The Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), speaking on online chapel and distance learning technology. Dr. Brewer is also a member of the Southern Automotive Media Association and works with major auto manufacturers reviewing cars and covering automotive news. He has a passion for vintage automobiles and motorcycles and enjoys restoring old cars. He is the senior editor of AutomotiveAddicts.com, an international automotive news outlet, works with the Amelia Concours d’Elegance, and writes a column for the automotive section of The Florida Times-Union, Northeast Florida’s highest circulated newspaper.
Dr. Jarrod Brown
B.S., George Mason University, Biology and Spanish Language
Doctor of Dental Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University
Doctor of Worship Studies, The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies
- Jarrod Brown, DDS, DWS is a graduate of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, with a BS in Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery, and The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Orange Park, Florida, with a Doctorate of Worship Studies. While in full-time practice as a general dentist, Dr. Brown also serves as a hospital chaplain in his hometown of Danville, VA. He and his wife, Lisa, are very involved in Trinity United Methodist Church, Danville, where both participate in the music ministry and worship planning committees. Dr. Brown’s favorite areas of worship studies are liturgical design, Baptismal renewal, and creative altar/sanctuary design. He is also the proud father of two sons, Trevor and Nathan.
Dr. Timothy Borchert
B.A., Georgetown College
M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Doctor of Worship Studies, The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies
- Dr. Tim Borchert, currently serves as the senior pastor the First Baptist Church of Oak Ridge, TN. Dr. Borchert earned his M.Div from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition, Dr. Borchert recently received a doctorate from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. A graduate of Georgetown College, KY, Dr. Tim served as the director of the Carroll Youth Center in Wisconsin, where he developed and led QUEST, a summer youth conference for the American Baptist Churches USA. He also served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Tipp City, Ohio, and as Minister of Adult and Family Life at First Baptist Church of Columbus, Indiana. Dr. Tim also teaches in the worship studies program at Carson Newman College. Visit Dr. Tim’s blog at www.pastortimborchert.wordpress.com
Dr. Larry Ellis, Thesis Director
Master of Worship Studies, The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies
Doctor of Worship Studies, The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies
- Dr. Ellis has served as a bible teacher and Minister of Worship and Music in Baptist, Presbyterian, and Episcopal churches in Denver, Colorado for approximately 30 years. He holds a Doctor of Worship Studies degree from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, doing his research in Christian spiritual formation in the ancient church. He has also done graduate studies in organ improvisation and choral conducting at Westminster Choir College, Princeton NJ. Dr. Ellis was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1987 and also has composed over 90 sacred musical works. He is the President/CEO of Adoration Publishing Company. Visit Dr. Larry’s website at www.theforgivenessbook.com
Dr. Kellie Tropeano
B.S. Gordon College, Music Education
M.Ed, Lesley University
Doctor of Worship Studies, The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies
Lecturers
George Gadson, Lecturer in Visual Art
Bachelor of Art, Duke University
Master of Christian Education, The Kaleo Institute
Visit Prof. Gadson’s website at http://www.georgegadson.com/
- Gadson has been commissioned to create works of art for many high profile events. He was commissioned to create two limited edition commemorative sculptures, “The Kicker” and “The Quarterback” , for the 1995 South Florida Super Bowl XXIX and the 1999 Super Bowl XXXIII. The South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee presented these sculptures to each owner of the National Football League team and VIP’s. Each year South Florida hosts the Super Bowl, Gadson will create another sculpture to continue the series. Gadson has gained recognition for his realistic portraits and commemorative sculptures. He has been commissioned to create a bronze portrait relief of the late Bill Darden, founder of Darden Restaurants, Inc., owners of Red Lobster and Olive Gardens. He has created bronze sculptures for JM Family Enterprises, the Jim Moran Foundation, a 12-foot bronze monument for the African American Research Library and Cultural Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the Dan Marino Foundation, Florida Memorial University’s Lou Rawls Performing Art Center, The cities of Tamarac and Pompano Beach Florida.
Simon Miner, Lecturer in Worship and Web Based Technology
B.A., Computer Science and Music, Gordon College
Master of Worship Studies, The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies
- Simon Miner serves as the lead web designer at Christianbook.com and is a recognized leader in web based technologies. Simon is also a powerful songwriter and leads worship at his home church in Massachusetts.
Marvin Sims, Lecturer in Songwriting, Production and Performance
- Professional recording artist who has worked with CECE Winans, Nicole C. Mullen, Garth Brooks, DC Talk, and many, many more. Marvin has played on multiple platinum recordings.
