About WLI

As a song leader, you have a unique opportunity to ignite faith, unity, and joy through worship. 
You want to offer your very best for God’s glory and your congregation’s spiritual growth. But how?
Worship Leader Institute exists to empower you to lead with skill, heart, and purpose.

Holistic Worship Leading
As the premier training resource for comprehensive worship education, WLI's curriculum centers on what we call holistic worship leading.  
Core competencies include:
  • Bible Study - Scripture Memorization -  Expressive Scripture Quotation
  • Facial Expressions - Microphone Technique - Eye Contact
  • Stage Presence - Body Language - Directing - Public Prayer
  • Transitions - Breath Control - Tempo Management - Dynamics/Contrasts
  • Extended Rests  - Holds  - Cut-offs
  • And more!
These abilities are essential for every effective worship leader. Holistic worship classes provide the core of our program, but when you join WLI, you also gain access to a vibrant community, ongoing mentorship, and resources that support your growth long after the boot camp ends.

Advanced Topics
Some sessions of WLI will also detail practical conventions for advanced topics like:
  • Music Theory/Ear Training
  • Voice Care and Management
  • Directing/Interpretation
  • Spiritual Growth and Communion
  • Relationships
  • Worship Planning
  • Worship Technology
  • Vocal Tuning
  • and Conflict Resolution.
Students from around the globe join WLI to experience a life-changing week of practical skill training, spiritual renewal, and lasting connection. At Worship Leader Institute, you’ll not only equip yourself with the tools to fulfill your calling—you’ll form relationships and develop abilities that will impact your ministry for a lifetime and beyond.

Instructors & Coaches include

Chris Turner Burlington, NJ

Minister/National Lectureship Devotional Leader

Jules Cseszko Melbourne, Australia

Choral and Orchestral Director

Keith Lancaster Nashville, TN

Musicianary and President of Acappella Ministries

Shane Coffman Tulsa, OK

Worship Minister and a cappella worship music arranger

Matt Suggs - Worship Minister and WLI Director
Jake Jones - Worship Leader, WLI Assistant Director, Director of Operations for Acappella Ministries
Mike Rogers - Former Director of Jazz Studies at Abilene Christian University
Gary Moyers - Worship Minister and Acappella Vocalist
Rob Brannon - Worship Minister and Acappella Vocalist
John Mark Hicks - Professer at Lipscomb University
Robert King - Fine Arts Director at Lipscomb Academy
Monty Pettyjohn- Discipleship Minister
Anthony Lancaster - Worship Minister and Vice President of Acappella Ministries
John Burch - Elder and Worship Leader
Kyle Orr - Worship Leader with a passion for cross-cultural worship
Andrew Whitehouse - Worship Minister

                    Please note: Instructor and coach lineup is subject to change without notice

Important Information

  • Applicants will be pre-screened prior to acceptance into this exclusive, world-class worship leading instructional program.
  • Applicants must submit two (2) letters of recommendation from an elder, minister, or church leader.
  • Applicants should be prepared to explain why they want to participate in Worship Leader Institute.
  • Applicants will be notified by email if they are accepted into Worship Leader Institute.
  • Applications will not be accepted after May 5, 2027.

Cost

Cost of Registration Includes:

  • Tuition
  • Refreshment breaks
  • Digital materials
  • Professional coaching
  • Several lunches and dinners
  • Admission to the WLI Facebook group
  • Commission Banquet.


Cost of Registration Does NOT Include:

Hotel, travel, any meals not provided by WLI, rental car, computer or tablet for accessing digital WLI class materials, or any unexpected expenses.

Scholarship Recipients
Early bird discounts, payment bonuses, and/or group discounts will not apply to scholarship recipients.

Deposit
You may reserve your space at WLI by applying to attend and paying a $695 deposit at any time prior to April 5, 2027. The balance of the tuition is then due by April 5, 2027.

Tuition
Full tuition is $3,295. Early Bird discounts are available for those who pay in full before January 5, 2027.

Refund Policy

  • The deposit ($695) is non-refundable at any time after application, regardless of Early-Bird status. Exceptions will be made for those whose applications are not accepted. 
  • Any student who has paid in full and wishes to withdraw from WLI before January 5, 2027, may receive a refund minus the $695 deposit and a $150 withdrawal fee. 
  • Any student who has paid in full and wishes to withdraw from WLI between January 5 and April 5, 2027, will be given the option to apply their tuition payment to WLI 2028 or to receive a refund of: 
    • Super Early Bird Applicants: $1260 minus any discounts applied to tuition 
    • Early Bird Applicants: $1380 minus any discounts applied to tuition 
    • Full Tuition Applicants: $1560 minus any discounts applied to tuition 
    • Scholarship recipients are not eligible for a refund 
  • Any student who withdraws and chooses to apply their payment to WLI 2028 and chooses not to, or is unable to attend WLI 2028, will forfeit their 2027 tuition payment.
  • After April 5, 2027, no refunds will be given. Students will be given the option to apply their tuition payment to WLI 2028 but will still be required to pay the deposit amount (currently $695) when registering for WLI 2028. The required deposit amount is subject to change. Additionally, if a student who has chosen to apply their tuition payment to WLI 2028 chooses not to, or is unable to attend WLI 2028, they will forfeit their 2027 tuition payment.
  • After May 5, 2027, students may apply their tuition payment to WLI 2028, but will be required to pay the deposit amount (currently $695) PLUS a late withdrawal fee of $200.
  • Tuition may be transferred to another student. Transfers will be subject to a $150 transfer fee and will depend on the new student being accepted into WLI 2027. If the new student is not accepted into WLI 2027, the usual refund policy will apply to the student who was originally accepted.
  • All cancellations must be in writing (including through email) 
  • If an applicant is not accepted into WLI, a full refund will be provided. 
  • Scholarship recipients are not eligible for a refund.
  • Scholarship students who withdraw from WLI 2027 will not automatically be given a scholarship for WLI 2028. Students must reapply for the scholarship. If granted a scholarship for WLI 2028, scholarship students will again be required to pay the application fee (currently $150).

Applicant Information

Please note: Applications will not be accepted after May 5, 2027.

  • Please explain

Are you the great, great, great grandnephew of Abraham Lincoln?  Do you have a 6th toe on one foot?  Do you moonlight as an Elvis impersonator? Have you ever been inside an active volcano? For the question below, we're looking for something fun, unusual, or entertaining like these.

Please open and read the attached Faith Statement.

Faith Statement.pdf

Supporting Documents

Please attach a statement explaining why you want to attend WLI 2027. If you prefer to type a response rather than uploading a document, please check the box below:

Please attach a document describing your musical background and knowledge, such as:

  • Knowledge of shaped notes
  • Self-taught ability to read music
  • Play a musical instrument
  • Participated in music programs in grade school, middle school, and/or high school
  • Advanced music study in college
  • Have attended singing schools (Highly Recommended)
  • Compose and/or arrange music
  • Have had professional voice coaching
  • Have sung in a choir

Please attach two (2) recommendation letters from an elder, minister, or church leader.

Application Options and Payments

Please note: Applications will not be accepted after May 5, 2027.

  • Full tuition fee. You may reserve your space by paying a deposit of $695 prior to April 5, 2027. The balance will be due by April 5, 2027. All applicable discounts will be applied at checkout.

  • Any student enrolling and paying in full before January 5, 2027.

  • Pay your registration fees in full before October 5, 2026.

T-shirt

  • Official (Optional) WLI T-Shirt

    This optional T-shirt is available at a discount when purchased in advance. A limited number will be available for purchase during the week of WLI for $35 each.

• I understand that I am applying for Worship Leader Institute 2027 and that acceptance is not guaranteed.
• I have read and understood the refund and cancellation policy and agree to be bound by the terms of that policy.
• I acknowledge that all WLI materials are the intellectual property of WLI, Acappella Ministries, and their partners, and I commit to maintaining their confidentiality.
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Purchase ProtectionRECOMMENDED

Add Purchase Protection for a small fee and get a 100% refund of your registration purchase should you be prevented from attending due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. (Full Terms)

Why protect your registration purchase? Purchase Protection covers:

Severe Illness and Injury
COVID-19
Hospitalization
Death in Family
Transportation Failure
Crime and Home Emergency
Employment Obligations
Acts of Nature
Legal Obligations

Purchase Protection covers many common unforeseen circumstances, but exclusions apply. View full List of qualifying circumstances and exclusions.

* Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Not available for or applicable to events, attendees, or travel outside of the USA. Purchase Protection is a service offered by Purchase Protection LLC. Purchase Protection is not an insurance policy. It is a service that will refund you 100% of your event fees, taxes and dues should you be prevented by unforeseen circumstances from attending the event. Purchase Protection does not apply to, and will not reimburse, charitable donations. Purchase Protection fees will be charged as a separate transaction. Any changes made to your purchase will not change the amount covered in this agreement.

Read Full Terms and Conditions

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