Grammy® Award nominated and R.I.A.A. gold-certified recording artist VaShawn Mitchell, president of the Gospel Heritage Foundation, will present the International Worship & Arts Training Summit Wednesday, April 2 – Saturday, April 5, 2025, in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland. The daytime events take place at the Marriott Ownings Mills Metro Centre complex in Owings Mills, MD and the evening events will take place at Morning Star Baptist Church in Gwynn Oak, MD. A few of the luminaries participating will be the founder of the Gospel Heritage Foundation, Dr. Teresa Hairston-Jackson; and radio personality and producer of the nationally syndicated Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell program, Cheryl Jackson.
The summit will feature a who’s who of gospel music experts and luminaries discussing every major topic related to a career or ministry in the worship arts. This year’s summit theme is “Cloud & Fire” and everything kicks off April 2nd @ 8 pm with a Jazz & Jokes event hosted by VaShawn Mitchell. The evening will feature smooth jazz performances and Christian comedy. It will be held at the Hook & Reel Cajun seafood and bar, 10200 Grand Central Avenue, Owings Mill, MD,
On Thursday and Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM, there will be a series of musical or educational sessions. Among them will be worship sessions with the likes of Billboard No. 1 artist Jason Nelson, worship leader Benita Jones, and vocalist Darrel Walls of the Grammy® Award nominated Walls Group. There are also classes on mastering the music business, worship dance ministry and working with choirs.
On Thursday, there will be a 7 PM evening session with speaker Bishop SY Younger, the charismatic senior pastor of the RAMP Church International in Lynchburg, VA. It will be followed by The Musicians & Singers Shed event featuring a variety of talented recording artists and groups.
On Friday during the day, the Gospel Heritage Honors Luncheon will celebrate the ministries of evangelist Peggy Carmichael music minister Buddy Lakins, Bishop Carl A. Pierce Sr. (pastor of Carter Memorial Church of Baltimore C.O.G.I.C.) and producer Kenneth Shelton (Kim Burrell, Marvin Sapp). The 1:30 PM event will be hosted by Pastor Lee Michaels, a 40+ year Baltimore radio veteran with iHeart Media, and TV host, Miss Ericka J.
Friday’s events will be capped with a 7 PM session that features guest speaker Dr. Valerie Moore. Also known as Dr. Val, she is an in-demand motivational speaker with a quarter of a million Facebook followers. She is known for helping people realize their God-given potential. That event will be followed by a 10:30 PM late night musical featuring a dozen, dynamic artists including VaShawn Mitchell, Charles Butler & Trinity, Zak Williams & 1Akord, and Vincent Bohanon, among others.