Worship band with five alumni perform, share career experience

Vertical Church Band from Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago, featuring five Liberty University alumni, gives a special performance during Convocation on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

Liberty University welcomed Vertical Church Band, which includes five alumni, to campus on Wednesday, Feb. 23. The band led worship in Convocation and Campus Church, spoke to School of Music students during a class period, and held a songwriting workshop.

Vertical Church Band members and Liberty alumni Meredith Andrews and Tyler Miller speak to students during a special songwriting workshop on Wednesday night.

Vertical Church Band, a leader in the modern worship movement, is part of Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago, where they lead praise at the church’s multiple locations. They also tour the country, playing at various conferences. Many of their original songs are played at churches across the nation.

The five Liberty alumni are Meredith Andrews (’05), a recording artist and two-time Dove Award winner; Dan Sumpter (’06), an associate pastor of worship; Tyler Miller (’07); Eddie Hoagland (‘10), an associate worship pastor; and Todd Rukes (’10, ’12 M.B.A.).

All five were members of a ministry team while at Liberty.

During their visit to the School of Music, Miller said Liberty is interwoven into his musical career.

“My time on ministry teams is what helped me develop my love for music, and I am glad to be back here today sharing my experiences with you,” he said.

Andrews told students that music is her way of expressing her love for the Lord.

“My time at Liberty taught me to be faithful to the gift that God has given me. It should not be about being noticed,” Andrews said. “My goal in life is not to write a hit song; it is to be faithful with the gift that God has given me.”

• Read the latest Liberty Journal for an interview with Andrews and the Spring 2014 ministry team tour schedule.