Almost 20 years ago Dr. Teresa Hairston started the Gospel Heritage Praise & Worship Conference as a way to allow attendees to feel empowered through praise and to develop a deeper understanding of the true meaning of worship. Returning for its second consecutive year in Atlanta, this year’s conferences is moving to the next level, creating a movement centered around renewing the mind and embracing a more positive lifestyle. As the number one praise and worship conference in the nation, the event attracts some of the industry’s most notable artists and minister including Hezekiah Walker, Kurt Carr, and many more.
Dr. Hairston has been at the forefront of the gospel music industry, building an impressive resume that includes founder and publisher of Gospel Today Magazine, hosting the “Gospel Today” TV show, and starting her own non-profit, The Gospel Heritage Foundation. With all of her endeavors she seeks to inspire and empower others, and through her faith continues to make power moves that help to build and shape the industry.
As Dr. Hairston take her movement to new heights, she always remembers to live by the scripture from Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
What makes this year’s 2014 Gospel Heritage Praise & Worship Conference more of a lifestyle conference?
The fact that people will come away with an outline of how to envision their next part of their life. You will learn the things that make you who you are and make you able to accomplish your dreams, so it’s kind of like looking at life coaching as something that sets you up for success and helps you to maneuver through the challenges and changes that you deal with everyday. This conference is going to be that for people who attend because we understand that our lifestyle is really a collection of our beliefs and our practices are habits, so when you change your mind you change your living. It’s really a major change because a lot of times when you come to gospel-oriented events, they really just do meetings and performance. We really challenge people to not only to consider how it sounds, but consider who you are and consider how you live.
What kind of topics will you cover within your sessions?
The sessions will focus on understanding your purpose and then actualizing your purpose. It moves from knowing who you are to what you’re supposed to do and how to do it. This is a great place for people who want to learn, grow, and expand who they are personally, professionally and spiritually. Many people who go to do the traditions of the church but they don’t understand why they do what they do in church. This will help people understand why they worship and that’s why it’s a lifestyle conference, because if your lifestyle includes worshiping God you truly should know why you’re doing it.
How do you think the church can get more youth involved?
When people understand why they do what they do and how it helps them to be better, then they want to do it. Young people think about it like do they have time for this and why should they do it. Worship helps you to live a more powerful lifestyle, and when you know who you are it doesn’t matter how much TV you watch and what you listen to on the radio, you’re going to know who you are.
How did you select the talent in the conference?
A lot of the talent I have known for years or have admired. This year is the first time we would have Dr. Creflo Dollar, he’s one of the premiere pastor’s and speakers known around the country, so a guy like that is really exciting to have him. Dr. Jackie McCullough, who is our other evening speaker, is one of the pioneering women in ministry and we will be presenting both of them with the Gospel Heritage Award for 2014. Edwin Hawkins will be with us, and his songs have appeared in movies and he’s toured the world. We’re really excited and grateful for people who have made a decision to be a part of it.
You’ve been in the industry for a number of years, how have you seen the industry evolve over the years?
It’s become smarter, it’s become stronger, and it’s become more intricate and complex. We’ve seen people like Bishop T.D. Jakes and Tyler Perry in movies, and I’ve seen it evolve over the last 25 years. The reality of our business is that we are servants that are sincere about our calling and using our gifts to be a blessing to God’s people, and really making the world aware of the fact that Jesus is Lord and that we’re not ashamed of that. So that’s where I think I’ve seen the evolution. We live better and drive better, but we still have a foundation.
Have there ever been moments where your faith was tested?
You don’t get through 50 plus years of living and not have a time where you want to give up. It’s a matter of knowing who you are, which is why I do this conference. There was a time in my life where I’ve been through some traumatic personal and professional stuff, and thinking this just isn’t working for me. I had to decide whether I was going to embrace the faith or reject it. I made a choice to embrace it, and it led to my life being so much more powerful and purposeful. What I do now is a direct result of the choice that I made many years ago that really revolutionized how I looked at life, how I think, how I talk, and how I live.
What do you see next in your career?
I just wrote a book called “Stop Waiting, Start Winning”. It’s about how to be victorious in your vision. I think in this season of life culture and mentors I really want to help people to get to where they want to go, where their purpose is. I need to help people get to that place where their purpose is fulfilled.
Click here for more information on the 2014 Gospel Heritage Praise & Worship Conference.
