(November 13, 2014)

Centenary alumnus selected for 2016 General Conference worship team

SHREVEPORT, LA — The Reverend DeAndre Johnson '04 has been selected to serve on the worship design team for the 2016 General Conference of the United Methodist Church to be held in Portland, Oregon.

"My role will be to coordinate all the music for the General Conference which will primarily consist of my forming and leading the house band for all 10 days of the program," said Johnson. "I will also work with the worship coordinator to select other ensembles and groups throughout the global community to be part of worship as well as provide musical support at other times during the conference."

General Conference is the top policy-making body of the United Methodist Church, which meets once every four years and will take place Tuesday, May 10, to Friday, May 20, 2016. The conference can revise church law as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy, and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for church-wide programs. Including non-voting members, nearly 3,500 people participate in the program's events.

"I am excited and nervous at the same time," said Johnson. "It is a very large venue, and I've never attended a General Conference. I'm excited to work with friends, to build a musical team that will help provide worship for the global church, and to see what God will do."

Johnson received his bachelor of music in sacred music from Centenary College in 2004 and went on to earn his master of sacred music degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He and his wife Kelsey, also a Centenary graduate, are currently on staff at Westbury Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, where Johnson serves as associate pastor of music and worship.

"Centenary was an awesome time for me," said Johnson. "I grew both musically and personally. I was part of the Centenary College Choir, Camerata, and CLC and really enjoyed myself. My professors really helped me reach my fullest potential."

After graduation, Johnson went on to serve at churches in both Louisiana and Texas. As an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church he is passionate about facilitating meaningful worship experiences that are intentionally cross-cultural, calling the church into a deeper commitment to reconciliation. Johnson is frequently invited to lead worship in various settings, offer consultations for churches, and teach courses in worship leadership and preaching. He recently served for three years as the worship coordinator for the Texas Annual Conference and served as the worship leader for the 2013 Exploration event in Denver, Colorado.