Behind the Scenes With the Worship Teams: The Team X Approach

“The joy of the Lord,

The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

Sound familiar? If you recognize these lyrics from Chapel– they might have been sung by the first in the alphabetic worship team trio, Team X. Co-leader and keyboard player Noah Wolfert (’25) described Team X’s music style as “slow and reflective,” and noted how much of what they play are songs originally sung by Belonging Co, a contemporary worship music band. Team X, Y, and Z, which make up the worship team at Hope, alternate playing and singing at Chapel and Gathering services. Last week, the Anchor interviewed a handful of Team X members, who provided behind-the-scenes anecdotes about their team dynamic, their worship atmosphere and their hopes for the future. 

For Team X, cooperation is an essential part of what brings such unified performances to Dimnent. Noah DeHorn (’27), a technician for Team X, noted that the team is “very relationship oriented . . . We’re not only there to provide worship, but also to have fun with each other, and overall have a good time praising the Lord.”

Wolfert explained how positive team chemistry contributes to a positive worship environment. “If we’re united as one front on the stage, we can help facilitate worship better. . . if we don’t have that community as a team. . . we won’t be facilitating worship to our potential.” It also helps with managing nerves on stage, too. “Having a group of people that you know really well on the stage takes the pressure off of yourself,” Wolfert noted.

Recognizing that it isn’t just performance time that enhances connection, Team X makes an effort to spend time with each other outside of rehearsals and performances. Wolfert reflected on his favorite memory so far this semester. “One of my favorite memories is when most of Team X went to Crane’s apple orchard,” he said. “We got donuts and apple cider, we picked apples and then we prepared a team dinner for the rest of the worship team.” It is through a combination of team connection and musical talent that Team X is able to cultivate such an inviting environment. 

“From my perspective, Chapel and Gatherings provide a great space for students to come from whatever they’re dealing with,” said Team X Co-leader and lead singer Hunter Gringrich (’25). “You just get to come and be, and I think that provides a rejuvenation for students.”

The presence of music undoubtedly contributes to the openness of Hope’s worship environment. “I’ve heard this phrase before: ‘Singing is worshiping twice’” Dehorn commented. “It’s a lot more than what people realize. Singing is like praying out loud. . . it’s really inviting, even if it’s a song you don’t know or have heard a million times before. . .” The inviting nature of worship services is definitely felt by those in the audience. Jillian Poel (’27), a regular chapel attendee, had this to say about the environment worship music cultivates: “I love the worship teams! They create a beautiful atmosphere that opens my heart before opening the Word.” 

Alan Bettner (’25), a guitarist and occasional vocalist for Team X, expanded on the music-worship connection, making an important distinction. “Sometimes we can classify worship music as a category,” he said. “. . . it is not simply a category, but a way of living.” Bettner spoke to the Anchor about the contrast between authenticity and performance, asserting that authenticity is what should drive Team X’s time on stage. 

“Even if we make a mistake, it doesn’t matter because we’re doing it for the Lord,” DeHorn emphasized. Through a reflective anecdote, Gingrich conveyed the same expression: “When you are in the spotlight on campus where you are leading other people to worship, it can become a very performance-based thing, and it really shouldn’t be. That’s the biggest thing I learned: knowing that it’s not about me and it’s about God . . .” 

Both Wolfert and Gingrich, who will graduate this spring, shared their hopes for the future of the worship team. “My hope is to be able to reach a broader group of students,” Wolfert said. “I want people to know that we all would love to talk to whoever wants to talk to us. . .”

Gingrich shared the same aspiration for more inclusivity. “My hope going forward is that they [the worship team] would continue on working towards openness. . . [and] be open to different styles of music and types of worship.” For students who want to worship more, Gingrich recommends finding community within a church. “Pick a church to get involved in,” she suggested, “Reach out to their worship pastor or leader, and be willing to give back to that community.”

Wolfert, too, recommends finding a good community. “I would say you don’t just have to be musical to worship. You can worship in many ways,” he said. “The biggest thing is reaching out and trying to find a community that you fit well with.” 

Through talking with Bettner, DeHorn, Gingrich and Wolfert, it is clear that valuing team connection and authentic worship is what contributes to the unity they bring to Dimnent. This Sunday will be their last performance at the Gathering this semester. Join them in Dimnent at 8:00pm, and consider staying ten minutes post-service to listen to their after-worship!

(Featured image source: Team X Instagram page)