NW Valley Times

Moises Felipe, who serves at Church for the Nations in Phoenix, is the new director of GCU's Center for Worship Arts.

Moises Felipe has served as an adjunct professor for the last eight years at Grand Canyon University’s College of Theology and set up a residency program at Church for the Nations. His passion lies in student development.

When Dr. Jason Hiles, dean of the college, reached out earlier this summer to discuss the vacant position for director of the Center for Worship Arts, Felipe responded, “Thank you for looking this way. It’s an honor.”

Felipe began his new role on July 15 and has been familiarizing himself with the worship arts program and its connections with several of GCU’s colleges before students return for the fall semester.

“One of the things I’m looking forward to most is gathering all of the worship arts students in one room,” said Felipe. He added that he has been so busy learning about his new responsibilities that his office remains sparsely decorated. “This is a new season for them. They're out having fun during the summer, and all of a sudden they hear through social media, ‘Hey, there's a new director.’ I can't wait just to have that opportunity to really connect with them and just share what I believe the Lord is about to do in this season as it comes to vision.”

Felipe noted that he was impressed by the stability and success of the worship arts program under Dr. John Frederick and Dr. Randall Downs over the past decade.

“But like anything, there's obviously an opportunity for us to revisit how we bring innovation and apply the mission statement of our university in an innovative way to just bring a whole lot of life to the worship arts program right now,” Felipe said.

He invited a graduate from GCU’s program to spend nine months with his Church for the Nations residency program to aid their development within a church setting.

“And I will continue to stay attached to my church because students need to see someone that is not only professing, ‘This is what I've done in my life. Let me teach you now,’” said Felipe, who was a worship pastor at Love International for eight years before joining Church for the Nations in May 2020.

“I think especially in worship arts it's important for me to be actively serving in church while I'm teaching. There is a level of relevance that students need to see, like, ‘I aspire to do this.’”

Among topics discussed with Hiles was that his position at GCU feels more like a calling than a career move.

“I am actively doing what I profess,” said Felipe, who grew up in Belo Horizonte, Brazil where his parents were missionaries after coming from the Dominican Republic. “And I think it's important for students to see that if I'm called for this, God is going to open doors. But there is preparation involved. He will honor preparation.”

Felipe emphasized his eagerness both personally and on behalf of his students regarding their primary focus on worship arts.

“The Lord never changes,” Felipe stated. “And he's the same yesterday, today and forever... We get to start [worship] here... There’s responsibility on us... especially being part of [the largest Christian university]. We're here... fine-tuning our ears [to] hear what...the Lord wants... Obedience always pays off.”

Felipe supports Monday Chapel as it sets a tone particularly vital in worshipping together which strengthens purpose among students.

“And when school comes together that's when we truly see [GCU's] culture of worship,” he added.

One memorable moment occurred about 10 years ago during Global Outreach Week when former Outreach Director Jake Page asked him lead multi-language worship sessions—a first encounter leading him meeting University Pastor Tim Griffin—marking lasting professional relationships thereafter.

GCU News Senior Writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]