About Evergreen
Evergreen is a community for worship leaders aged 18-35 with the purpose of cultivating healthy rhythms for a sustainable worship ministry.
Why Evergreen?
Being a worship leader comes with unique privileges and challenges. The joy of worshipping together, the ability to use one's gifts and artistic passion for the glory of God, countless life-giving moments in God's presence... This is something that we know from many years of first-hand experience. However, we also know of the pressure of enabling others to meet with God, navigating the minefield of people's preferences, the scrutiny that comes with the platform, the expectation of shaping the theology of the church. Being a worship leader can be tough.
Over the years, we have met many young adults, who are facing these challenges whilst they themselves are still growing in maturity, discipleship and leadership.
As a result, we have heard many stories of young worship leaders leaving their roles (volunteer or employed) after only a short while. More often than not, this is caused by exhaustion and burnout.
The realisation of this trend is what caused us to start Evergreen. Being a worship leader is a valid calling - a vocation that shouldn’t come with an expiry date of burnout or an expectation of moving on to a 'real job'.
Whilst our vision of a more sustainable worship ministry does not mean that every young person stepping into the role of a worship leader must then continue this for the rest of their lives, we want everyone who starts on this journey to be equipped with sustainable rhythms so that they can do this for as long as God is calling them to and not until they burn out.
We want to nurture young adults that are pursuing a fruitful worship ministry that is not cut short by withering emotional or spiritual health.
What have we been up to?
In 2021 we invited 20 worship leaders who we had journeyed with over the last few years to a retreat day. During this day we realised the hunger for a support network, for mentoring but also just for a community of those who are 'in the same boat.'
Evergreen was born and we initially focused on providing regular retreat days where people could find rest, connect with God outside of their roles and responsibilities and make new friends.
In 2023 and 2024 we've run two cohorts of Evergreen+, a year-long framework for 1:1 mentoring and intentional spiritual formation.
Going forwards, we continue to host regular retreat days which remain open to any worship leader (18-35) who wants to join us.
Dates for 2025 retreat days are now confirmed - find out more - and you can now book onto all three dates at a discounted price with our Annual Pass.
In all we do, we are guided by three principles: Abide, Share, Equip.
Abide
prioritising a personal relationship with God over a professional one
Share
sharing the highs and lows of ministry with others on the same journey
Equip
receiving practical tools on how to remain emotionally & spiritually healthy in the process