HERE WE ARE TO WORSHIP

Matt Brouwer, Director of Worship Arts for Crandall University, JUNO Award Winner, GMA Covenant Award Winner, and East Coast Music Nominee, joined the University staff in August 2022. Since coming aboard, Matt has made massive headway, not only in the realm of Chapel worship services, but also as a mentor to students in a newly developed Worship Apprenticeship Program.

Recently, Crandall University Vice President for Advancement, Dr. Robert Knowles ('89), sat down with Matt to discuss the path that led him to Crandall, as well as the transformation of students that he’s witnessed in his role.

Dr. Robert Knowles (RK): Tell us a bit about yourself – where you’re from, and how you got your start in Worship Arts.

Matt Brouwer (MB): Well, I grew up near Truro, Nova Scotia on a dairy farm. I am one of 7 siblings and when I was 3 years old my dad was killed in a car accident. I grew up with a strong foundation of faith in part because of the example of my mom who trusted in God to provide for us and be a ‘Father to the fatherless’. God was always faithful, and I know that to be true in my personal story.

In college I got involved in music and leading worship. It was there I experienced spiritual transformation, a creative outlet as a singer-songwriter, and felt called to serve the Lord with my music. In a series of unbelievable and unexpected opportunities I found myself signing a record deal with a major label in Nashville when I was 24 years old.

RK: Wow, that is quite a story! Tell me a bit about your time in Nashville after signing your record deal.

MB: After signing my record deal in Nashville and spending about a year there, I was asked to move to Houston, Texas to be a part of a dynamic church service co-founded by Chris Tomlin called ‘The Harvest’ at a traditional United Methodist church. Chris and I took turns leading worship each week as we both continued to record albums and tour separately. After Chris’ career began to take off, he moved to Austin and I took over the lead worship role at The Harvest, working with other incredible worship artists like Robbie Seay, Brandon Heath, Article One, and Rita Springer. Eventually, I met my wife, Hannah, through that church and we started our family. Those 10 or so years were such a rich and rewarding time.

RK: Living in America for so long, did you know about Crandall University before you came to work here?

MB: Growing up in Nova Scotia in the 80’s and 90’s, I was aware of ABU and knew a handful of people who had attended, but my first personal interaction was in 2005 when I was asked to be a part of an outdoor music and worship festival hosted by Crandall here in Moncton. It was there that I met Crandall alumnus Jeff Somers ('00) and our paths crossed many times after that. We started writing songs together and doing some Maritime tours and even played a concert at a Crandall Student Christmas banquet in 2012. That began a relationship with Crandall and the current leadership that eventually blossomed into my position of Worship Arts Director.

RK: Yes, let’s discuss your position as Worship Arts Director. What have been your main priorities as you’ve been settling in for your first year?

MB: My primary focus as Worship Arts Director has been working with the Student Life and Transformation department and the Dean of the Chapel to coordinate the music and worship aspects of our chapel services. I have also been helping to develop a Worship Apprenticeship Certificate Program aimed at training and equipping students to serve in churches in the Maritimes and across Canada. The goal of spiritual transformation and mentoring students toward a life of service have been the main themes of this first year.

RK: How do you see your day-to-day responsibilities tying in with our mission of “transforming lives?”

MB: I believe that nothing can truly change a heart except for an encounter with the Living God. It’s been those times when we all set aside our guard a little bit that we can truly see one another through God’s eyes and the whole world from His perspective…that’s transformative! It has been a blessing to work with such a great team of professionals in the Student Life and Transformation department at Crandall where everyone is constantly in conversation about how we can create moments, events, and space for students to experience the love of Jesus and the power of the gospel message of hope. It truly permeates everything we do and that is a reflection of the leader- ship in our department and the university as a whole.

RK: I’m glad that you have been able to have those experiences with us. Can you talk about a particular “aha” moment that stands out from this past year?

MB: There have been several. Probably the most profound was an opportunity to bring some students to a homeless and recovery shelter in downtown Moncton where we ended up being asked to lead worship. The room was full and from the moment we started the first song it was clear that the people who were present really had no reservations about total abandon in their expression of worship to God. I could feel the students and myself on stage getting swept up into the moment not so much as leaders now, but as participants. It was so beautiful and later that evening so many of the students expressed how they had never experienced anything like that. The joy was palpable and the moment was holy. Being present like that in a space where people who have endured such pain and brokenness in this life and have found hope in Jesus were pouring out their hearts in praise and thankfulness was the very definition of a transformative experience and one I will not forget.

RK: That’s amazing! On the topic of exciting moments, what excites you most about the future? What would you and Dr. Steve Watts (Dean of the Chapel) like to see happen?

MB: This year has really been about developing the Worship Apprenticeship Program and though we are already working with students in this capacity, the program officially kicks off in the fall. I am excited about seeing these students grow in their faith and their gifts. I’m excited to see what God does on our campus as a result of surrendering our lives to His will and His glory. I believe the best is yet to come!