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Integrity Worship Institute (IWI) is the training and educational division of Integrity Media, the trusted world leader in harvesting, creating and distributing praise and worship music in more than 160 countries.  IWI has been offering worship training via seminars and live events for more than a decade, but in 2010, has taken the program online in conjunction with Columbia Southern University, one of the country’s first completely online universities.  In addition to being one of the primary lead faculty members, Dr. Sanchez will now direct the program and oversee the development and implementation of curriculum. 

 

As Professor of Worship Leadership at the University of Mobile and author of the internationally recognized praise and worship song “I Exalt Thee” Dr. Sanchez has been privileged to be among those who are at the forefront of the contemporary praise and worship movement. His background as a youth minister, music director, worship leader, associate and senior pastor and years with Integrity Music give Dr. Sanchez the real-world experience to bridge traditional and contemporary music and prepare students for tomorrow’s emerging forms of worship.  Now in his role as dean and faculty member of IWI, Dr. Sanchez wants to impart to students a strong biblical foundation that helps them understand worship as more than just music but rather as a lifestyle.  

 

“Dr. Sanchez’s academic training, combined with his professional experience, makes him uniquely qualified to provide the educational leadership needed at IWI. His heart is to help students understand the transformational significance of worship as a tool for bringing worshippers into relationship with God.” said Mike Coleman, president of Integrity Media. He will teach our students that music ministry is not primarily about being on a stage, but about serving the local church as they facilitate a worship experience with the Lord of the Church himself.”

 

Prior to being named Academic Dean, Dr. Sanchez has been affiliated with Integrity Media for 24 years where he served as an instructor for various seminar and training programs.  He has had the unique opportunity to help train pastors and worship leaders from many countries including Italy, Malaysia, England, Russia, Armenia, Cyprus, Taiwan, and Brazil.  He has become internationally known for his passionate but biblically informed teaching concerning contemporary congregational worship.

 

Dr. Sanchez is a graduate of Houston Baptist University (BS – Music and Christianity) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv with Biblical Languages; Doctor of Ministry).  He has served as an adjunct professor for the Houston campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, the University of Mobile (Mobile, AL), Regent University (Virginia Beach, VA), Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA), and the King’s College and Seminary (Van Nuys, CA).

 

Dr. Sanchez is also presently Assistant Professor of Church Music and Worship Leadership at the University of Mobile.  He also directs IMPACT the University worship ensemble. 

 

A native Houstonian, Pete has enjoyed more than 30 years of local, national, and international ministry experience, including the privilege of serving four Houston churches as youth minister, music director, worship leader, and associate pastor.  Most recently, Dr. Sanchez served for 12 years as senior pastor of Christ Covenant Church, a non-denominational congregation in Houston, Texas.

 

IWI is currently enrolling for classes for its Foundational Certificate program.  Three classes will be offered starting December 1: “Heaven’s Protocol: Discover the Pathway into God’s Manifest Presence,” “ Towards a Theology of Worship” and “ Psalms for Worship: Timeless Insights for Worship Leadership.”

 

For more information about Integrity Worship Institute, please visit www.integrityworshipinstitute.com.

MOBILE, Ala. – November 4, 2010 – Entertainment and Financial executive Rick Myers was recently appointed as Vice President and General Manager for the Integrity Worship Institute (IWI), the training and educational division of Integrity Media, the trusted world leader in harvesting, creating and distributing praise and worship music in more than 160 countries. 

 

Integrity Worship Institute has been offering worship training via seminars and live events for more than a decade.  In 2010, IWI has moved enthusiastically into the online education and training arena with the  launch of Integrity Worship Institute Online, which is affiliated with Columbia Southern University, one of the country’s first completely online university. Myers was tapped to build the program and increase awareness for IWI.

 

IWI’s purpose is to equip church leaders, including pastors, worship leaders and ministers of music. Students may participate in individual programs or work towards three levels of certifications. Additionally, accreditation is available to apply classwork towards a college-degree at participating institutions.

 

“The IWI courses are taught by respected worship leaders, musicians and theologians and the online program allows us to offer pastors and worship leaders the priceless opportunity to learn and grow right in their own home solid Biblical teaching as it relates to worship. It will be exciting to see what God has in store as IWI grows beyond the physical classroom,” said Myers.

 

Before joining Integrity, Myers owned and operated his own Nashville-based accounting/business management firm which focused on artist, entertainment companies and athletes.  Prior to that, he worked at a record label owned by Pioneer Electronics.  Myers holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Belmont University and is a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served in the chaplaincy corp for five years.

 

For more information about Integrity Worship Institute at www.integrityworshipinstitute.com.