Vanguard Worship Collective: Empowering Student Ministry

A dynamic group of Vanguard University students is on a mission to transform their campus and communities through worship and song. While the Vanguard Worship Collective (VWC) began as a traditional choir-like music group, it was recently revived and refreshed, evolving into a dynamic community of creators. 

“The Vanguard Worship Collective is a group of songwriters, worship leaders, content creators, and multitalented artists who are all current Vanguard University students,” explains Bodie Kuljian ’15, director of the Vanguard Worship Collective. “More than just a music ensemble, the Collective has developed into a group of young adults whose passion is to serve God, love others, and live out the calling He has placed on each of their lives to minister through music and art.” 

At its core, the Vanguard Worship Collective is committed to living out a Christ-centered, spirit-empowered life of artistic ministry. It’s not just about making music—it’s about empowering students to minister to others and use their gifts and talents to glorify the Lord. 

Collective member Hannah Finch ’26, Communication: Film/Visual Storytelling major, shares how her perspective on creativity has improved by being a part of the Collective. “I think when I first came to Vanguard, I viewed faith and creativity as two separate things, but [now] I think they’re deeply intertwined,” she says. “Being a part of the VWC has helped me to realize that by allowing myself to be poured into by the Collective and by the Lord, I’m able to pour out in the way that God has created me to, and that in itself is an act of faith.” 

While the creative process impacts students individually, there is even more value that has come from worshipping and learning in community. Music: Concentration in Worship Leadership major, Olivia “OJ” Jimenez ’25, a member of the Collective, sums up this ethos: “We really want to be full of integrity in what we do, how we conduct ourselves on and off stage, and in every aspect of our lives. Integrity is a big piece in the group and something we strive for.” 

Since integrity is a crucial part of how VWC members conduct themselves, students are expected to be active in their faith, and that starts with leading healthy spiritual practices in their personal lives. “Bodie encourages us to already be practicing our faith, to be filled up and discipled and grow in other areas,” Jimenez shares. She explains that the VWC isn’t a replacement for church. Students are expected to go to church, study Scripture, and bring those experiences with them, ready to use what they’re learning to contribute creatively. 

One of the primary ways this comes to fruition is through songwriting and production. In April 2024, the Collective recorded their first album, LIVE AT THE LIBRARY. While it’s a pivotal moment for the group, it’s just the beginning of what VWC students hope to bring to the world through their music. “I think the vision is that, with God’s direction, it would go much farther than Vanguard and much farther than America, and really impact people for God, encouraging them to have fun with their faith,” Jimenez shares. 

For Vanguard students, the Worship Collective is more than just a music group. It’s a reminder that creativity flows best when it is nurtured in the context of Biblical relationships and spiritual disciplines. By using their gifts and talents to magnify the holiness and goodness of God, students are learning to use their artistic talents not just to perform but to serve with Christlike love and humility.