Celebrating 25 Years of Alleluia!

Twenty-five years ago, in the summer of 2001, a spark of conviction and imagination set in motion what would become one of Baylor University’s most beloved and enduring contributions to church music: the Alleluia Conference. This summer, as church musicians, students, faculty, and friends gathered to celebrate the conference’s 25th anniversary, the occasion served as both a milestone and a powerful reminder of the vision, collaboration, and dedication that have sustained Alleluia for a quarter century.

A Vision Born from Concern and Hope

The idea for Alleluia first took shape after Dr. Randall Bradley, Professor of Church Music and Director of the Center for Christian Music Studies, attended a national conference for music and worship. What he encountered there troubled him: low attendance, uneven programming, and a noticeable decline in the quality of worship leadership and musical offerings.

Rather than lament the state of church music formation, Bradley felt compelled to respond.

“I was convinced that we had to offer a higher-quality conference experience,” he recalls, “one that could inspire and encourage church musicians, especially those serving congregations rooted in traditional worship practices.”

That conviction became the seed of Alleluia.

Forging Partnerships and Building a Conference

Bradley knew that creating a national-level conference would require collaboration beyond Baylor’s campus. He reached out to trusted colleagues, composer Joseph Martin, who had successfully launched the Jubilate reading sessions in Austin, and James Steel, then Executive Director of Choristers Guild. Together, they brainstormed a name, shaped a vision, and laid the foundation for a conference that launched in 2002.

The inaugural event set a high bar. Headliners included Anton Armstrong, Helen Kemp, Joyce Jones, and Sally Morgenthaler, with Julie Pennington-Russell preaching and Terry York planning and leading worship. The conference originally envisioned resident youth and children's choirs and dormitory housing for attendees, reflecting the immersive, community-oriented experience Bradley hoped to cultivate. While the choirs had to be canceled shortly before the first conference, the spirit of that vision endured.

Behind the scenes, the early years were powered by a small but dedicated team. Carrie Morris, serving in academic and graduate studies, helped administer the first conference alongside Bradley. Students like John Blackburn offered invaluable support. In the years that followed, Melinda Coats became a key partner in planning and execution, and a growing cohort of graduate students joined the effort, giving their time and talent to sustain the expanding event.

Growing in Scope, Depth, and Influence

As Alleluia grew, so did its footprint. What began in the McCrary Music Building expanded to include Truett Seminary, reflecting the conference’s growing influence and its integration of worship, theology, and artistry.

In 2007, YouthCUE joined as a partner, strengthening the conference’s commitment to youth choir ministry and broadening its reach among church musicians across generations.

By 2011, the conference had grown large enough to require additional administrative support. Baylor contracted with Chason Disheroon, a graduate of the master's program and a university staff member, whose expertise and steady leadership helped guide the conference through its next chapter of growth.

Over time, Alleluia became a defining experience for graduate students working in the Center for Christian Music Studies, offering hands-on opportunities in event planning, worship leadership, and ministry collaboration. Many went on to serve churches, schools, and organizations across the country, carrying the spirit and values of Alleluia into their own ministries.

A Quarter Century of Impact

Today, the Alleluia Conference stands among the premier gatherings for church musicians in the United States. Over twenty-five years, thousands of participants have taken part in its sessions, worship services, reading sessions, and concerts. They have been shaped by world-class presenters, inspired by meaningful worship, and strengthened by a community that understands both the joys and challenges of ministry.

What began as a response to a moment of concern became a movement of renewal. Alleluia’s legacy has never been measured simply by the longevity of the conference, but by the lives it has touched: choir directors who found renewed energy, ministers who rediscovered their calling, students who caught a vision for church music, and congregations transformed by inspired leadership.

That legacy was on full display during this summer’s 25th anniversary gathering. Participants celebrated not only past accomplishments but also the relationships, shared experiences, and enduring commitment to excellence in worship and church music that have defined Alleluia since its earliest days.

A Celebration of Leadership and Legacy

As Baylor marked twenty-five years of Alleluia this summer, the university celebrated not only the conference itself but also the many people who have sustained it: faculty, staff, students, partners, presenters, and participants who have invested their creativity, expertise, and faith into its mission.

At the heart of that celebration stood Dr. Randall Bradley, whose vision, perseverance, and pastoral leadership shaped the Alleluia Conference from its inception. The 2026 conference marked the conclusion of his final season guiding this beloved gathering, providing an opportunity for colleagues, alumni, and church musicians from across the country to express their gratitude for his extraordinary influence.

The chapter Bradley has written over the past twenty-five years is rich and enduring. The foundation he built has ensured that Alleluia is positioned to continue flourishing for generations to come. His commitment to excellence in church music, and to the people called to lead it, remains woven into the conference’s identity and now becomes a gift passed forward into its next chapter.

Twenty-five years in, the Alleluia Conference remains what it has always been: a place of renewal, learning, worship, and community. As participants departed this summer's anniversary gathering, they carried with them renewed inspiration, deeper connections, and gratitude for all that has come before. The song of the Church continues to be nurtured and strengthened through Alleluia, and the future of the conference shines as brightly as its remarkable past.

Alleluia.