Michael W. Smith Honored as Dramatic Contributor to Worship Movement on 4th of July Weekend

Bedford, TX (PRWeb) February 28, 2007 -- One year after crowning the Father of Gospel Music Andrae Crouch with its prestigious Cherub Award, this summer LaMar Boschman, dean of the International Worship Institute (IWI) will name award-winning singer-songwriter Michael W. Smith, the 2007 award recipient. In recent years, Smith has dramatically contributed to the worship movement with his best-selling albums "Worship" and "Worship Again." Thousands celebrating freedom to worship and other liberties are expected to attend IWI's week-long worship classes and free nightly concerts by some of the industry's most popular artists. Titled Transcendent 1.0, IWI will be held at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Conference Center, July 3-6, 2007. For information, visit www.worshipinstitute.com.

IWI's Transcendant 1.0 will present 50 of the world's best-known worship leaders, bands and groups, including Martha Munizzi, Tim Hughes, Shane and Shane, Ross Parsley, Bob Fitts, Morris Chapman, and Lindell Cooley. From 9 AM to midnight, worship leaders, musicians, pastors, dancers, choir directors, youth and adults from around the globe will embark on an unforgettable journey into transcendent worship that includes 100 workshops, Bible classes, musical, dance and technical training and vertical worship sessions.

In addition, original music selections will be performed from So Amazing, the newly released live worship CD recorded by LaMar, Steve Garrett, Lani Stacy, and Susan Gray during the 2006 IWI conference. Anointed worship tracks like Revelation Song, Spirit of God, Jesus Reigns, High and Lifted Up, and the title track So Amazing, will show us an amazing God.

More than 20 years ago, the International Worship Institute (IWI) was formed to prepare "True worshipers that will worship the Father in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). LaMar is a pioneer of this grass roots worship renewal, defined by the sheer desire to know God and to experience his presence. Since the early 70s, LaMar and his wife Teresa have crisscrossed the US and traveled the world to share the reality of spiritual worship and biblical music. Through the IWI, other global institutes, workshops and other resources, WorshipInstitute.com continues to expand its mission of equipping leaders and worshipers and taking them into deeper, more effective worship.

LaMar, who in 2006 was recognized by Charisma magazine as one of 10 of the industry's top worship leaders, grew up believing that extravagant worship was irreverent. Then, in 1973, he attended a revival at Glad Tidings Temple in Vancouver. The 120-voice choir wore robes, sang without printed music, marched down the aisle from the back of the church, and sang a four-part harmony that gave Boschman chills. That day, LaMar walked away from his legacy of conservative worship and into spirit-led praise and adoration to God. For the first time, this young Mennonite found vertical worship. In his new-found freedom and obedience to the scriptures--like "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord!" (Psalms 134)--LaMar transcended from spectator to true worshiper.

Over almost 25 years, Smith has emerged as one of the most beloved contemporary Christian worship leaders of our times. He has amassed a staggering 31 No. 1 singles, including "Friends" from his debut album, The Michael W. Smith Project in 1983 . To date, he has sold more than 13 million units resulting in five platinum and 16 gold projects, an American Music Award, three GRAMMY Awards and 40 Dove Awards.

In 1998, the International Worship Institute first presented the Cherub Award to Dr. Robert Webber for his Complete Library of Christian Worship. Since then, the Cherub has been awarded to other leaders in the realm of worship, including Crouch, Jack Hayford, Joseph Garlington, Judson Cornwall, and Bill and Gloria Gaither.

IWI has been covered in the Associated Press, Dallas Morning News and in Worship Magazine. For more information about the International Worship Institute, visit www.worshipinstitute.com.

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