JONESBORO, Ga. — Close to 400 students and volunteers from 60 churches gathered at First Baptist Church in Jonesboro on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 24-25, for REELfest. The Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s weekend event provides an opportunity for students from 6th grade through college to come together to learn and perform using their musical gifts.
Rhon Carter, the Board’s worship and music catalyst, said “REELfest is an important part of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s commitment to raising up the next generation of worship and music leaders. Through our 'Ear to the Next Generation' component, we partner with local churches to equip and train students, empowering them to step into leadership roles in their communities and churches. Events like REELfest and Surge Music Camp provide the hands-on experience and mentorship needed to ensure the future of worship leadership is strong and sustainable.”
Students can choose from several different tracks, including choir, orchestra, and praise band. The students learn and rehearse with their peers before offering a worship service on Saturday afternoon.
Chad Todd, a worship and music consultant with the GBMB, described it as “a wonderful weekend that gave middle school through college students the opportunity to learn and be equipped as musicians, worshipers, and future worship leaders. One of the coolest things to watch was the college students mentoring and helping the younger students. You could see real leadership and care happening all over the place”
One student from Shorter University who attended said, “I loved helping the younger students grow in their music and faith.” And for another, participation in the gathering “confirmed my call to ministry.”
Todd was encouraged by the churches and students that attended REELfest for the first time. “We firmly believe that it only takes experiencing REELfest one time for students, leaders and churches to see the value of the experience,” he explained, “which generates excitement and enthusiasm for them to come again the next year!”
Registration is currently open for SURGE, the GBMB's summer music camp for students in 3rd grade through college. The camp runs from Monday, Jun 16, 2025 through Saturday, Jun 21, 2025, on the campus of Shorter University in Rome, Ga.