Heartfelt worship, vulnerableconversationsand gospel-centered community definedCedarville University’sHeartSongfall tour, where ministry happened just as powerfullybehind the scenesas it did onthe stage.Over the course ofthe fall semester,student-led worship teamstraveledfromCleveland,Ohio, to Kentucky,sharingmusic, testimonies and faith with congregations and students.

Students Share Faith Through Worship Across States

Throughout the tour,HeartSongled worship,while church pastors delivered the messages. But for the team members, ministry extended far beyond the music.

Thisaligns withHeartSongMinistries’mission: “Whether at a large conference or small youthevent, our teams intentionally balance music, Scripture, and life stories to engage audiences in a way that is distinctly Cedarville...to createeither a favorable first experience or enhance a long-term relationship with every person encountered on campus or on the road.”

HeartSongBuilds Community Through Gospel Conversations

HeartSongismade upof student teams that travel throughout the year to churches, youthcampsand conferences.Eachteamincludes a trained leader,vocalistsand instrumentalists,allserving under Cedarville’sStudent Life and Christian Ministries division.That divisionfocuses onintentional discipleshipto equipstudents tosharethe Gospel inboththeir communities and careers.

For Carlie Shellem, a junior from Hollywood, Maryland, studyingsocial work,it’sthe personal connections that stand outaboutHeartSong., it’s the personal connections that stand out.

“Something that has stood out to me from the beginning of my time withHeartSongis its emphasis on people. I see this both in the ways teams are built and grown from the inside out to the intentionality present in teaching team members how valuable music is as a doorway toimpactingpeople up close for the sake of thegospel,”said Shellem.

Music Ministry Encourages Evangelism and Discipleship

Music is not the end goal forHeartSong;itisatool to reach others. The true impactoftencame from conversations sparkedlongafter the music faded.

“Our heart is that we can lead in such a way to help everyone involved remember and respond to thegospel of Jesus Christ,” saidBrandon Waltz, Director ofProduction Servicesat Cedarville..

It was that focus on community and Christ that drewfreshmanJude Burdick to Cedarville. After attending camps whereHeartSongministered, he knew he wanted to be part of it.

“It’s moregospel than it is music,” said Burdick,anITmanagementmajorfromBarboursville, West Virginia.fromHuntington, West Virginia.

During the tour,BurdicksaidGod taught him to be open—bothwithhis teammates and with the students he met on tour.Through honest conversations about struggles and faith, he saw God work.

“HeartSongis a very evangelism-heavy ministry. I grew up in Christian bubbles, soit’spushedme to really jump out in faith and just embrace evangelism,” said Burdick.

Worship Team Reflects ChristOnand Off Stage

Burdick hopesthat through worship, others will better grasp the holiness and love of God.

“Worship is aresponseofwholehearted devotion to something,” said Burdick. “When welead,we give them a chance to respond in wholehearted devotion to God. We want them to see His love, holiness, and face. And with palms in the air to respond to that with a posture of surrender.”

That same impact is felt by otherHeartSongmembers.

“God has used this ministry to continuallyredirectand focus my heart upon what ministry truly is,” said Josiah Davenport,aHeartSongmember andseniorbiblicalstudiesmajor from Ankeny, Iowa.“Iwouldn’tbe who I am today without this ministry. I loveHeartSongbecause it is all about centering on Jesus.”

With every song, every conversation andevery mile traveled,HeartSongseeksto point people to Christ—not only at Cedarville, but in communities across the nation and around the world.

About Cedarville University

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts,sciencesand professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.