Exemplary Leadership in Church Music

The Award for Exemplary Leadership in Church Music was instituted in 2005 and is given to a graduate of Baylor University who has contributed uniquely and significantly to some aspect of the broad scope of church music ministry. The award can be given for cumulative lifetime achievement or a singular contribution.

In 2024, we will present the Award for Exemplary Leadership in Church Music to:

Dennis Worley

Dennis graduated Baylor University (BME ’74) where among other activities, he sang in the Baylor Chamber Singers and The Baylor Chorale.  Some of his favorite extracurricular activities included the BRH choir, Baylor University Sing band, Word Music Young Church Singers, award-winning small ensemble Spirit of Love, and helping to record the early arrangements for classmates Robert Sterling,

Don Cason and Mark Hayes. His time at Baylor shaped his love of and prepared him for a career in church music publishing and production.

Dennis and his wife Karla Worley moved to Nashville, TN in 1980. During that time, he has been involved in the Christian Music Industry, serving as a music publisher, producer, road manager, artist manager and Gospel Music Association Board Member, where he created the first GMA seminars for aspiring church artists.  For the past 30 years he was Worship Minister at Brentwood Baptist Church - a 12,000-member regional-multi-campus church in a suburb of Nashville. The past 5 years Dennis served as Lead Worship Minister overseeing the Worship ministries of the (9) campuses of Brentwood Baptist. His role included coaching, mentoring, equipping, and shepherding worship leaders - many of them in their 20’s and 30’s.

 He has worked for major music companies WORD Music, CBS Songs, and Star Song Records - working with songwriters whose songs have been recorded on numerous artists albums including, Michael W. Smith, Steve Green, Larnelle Harris, Twila Paris, Carman, Avalon, the Bill Gaither Trio, and many others. Currently he is at work for LifeWay Worship, helping to shape the redesign of their church music services and products.

 Dennis is the co-publisher of the 1991 Dove Award winning song, “Another Time, Another Place” recorded by Sandi Patty and Wayne Watson. He has developed numerous products for the local church, including musicals featuring the songs of Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Gary Driskell, Robert Sterling, Twila Paris, Carman, and Steve & Annie Chapman. At Brentwood Baptist, Dennis pastored/mentored church musicians including Billy Ray Hearn, Greg Nelson, David Hamilton, David T. Clydesdale, Robert & Cindy Sterling, Dick & Mel Tunney, Jim & Joanne Hammerly, Mark Blankenship, Mike Harland, Michael Boggs, Cliff Duren and Travis Cottrell.

 Dennis and Karla Worley live in Brentwood TN. They have three grown sons and 5 grandchildren.

Past Recipients