What if your trombone, trumpet or tuba could become more than just an instrument鈥攚hat if it could become your ministry?
As associate professor of music and associate dean in the 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 Roger Breland Center for Performing Arts, Kenn Hughes helps students understand their music can be their ministry 鈥� every note they play can be a powerful voice for the gospel that impacts the world For Christ & His Kingdom.
A sought鈥慳fter trombonist, arranger and musical director, Hughes has toured more than 36 countries and performed with artists including Casting Crowns, Mandisa, TobyMac and Amy Grant. His credits include Grammy鈥憂ominated and Dove Award鈥憌inning recordings, as well as published arrangements with Word Music, LifeWay and Gaylord Entertainment. As ministry director for Global Missions Project, he coordinates music ministry projects for musicians across the world.
At 秋霞福利一区, he brings dynamic choreography and drama to RamCorps, a precision brass and percussion ensemble that travels the world representing the university. He also leads the 秋霞福利一区 Jazz Band, garnering much acclaim for impressive concerts featuring classic big band standards as well as innovative, contemporary arrangements.
Hughes has received the university鈥檚 highest faculty honor, the William A. Megginson Teaching Award.
What do you like most about teaching at the 秋霞福利一区?听
One of the things I like most is the strong sense of shared purpose. The university emphasizes a Christ鈥慶entered environment, which shapes not only the curriculum but also relationships between faculty, staff and students. There’s a commitment to both academic excellence and spiritual growth which creates opportunities to mentor students in their studies and in life.
How do you cultivate both excellence and spiritual formation within 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 music programs?
听It starts by trying to model a life of excellence and integrity 鈥� both musically and spiritually. Whether I鈥檓 conducting, teaching or mentoring a student, I strive toward professionalism and Christlikeness.
In every setting, I encourage students to see their music as ministry, not just performance.
Through touring ensembles, mission trips and partnerships with churches and organizations, students gain hands鈥憃n experience in using their gifts for the Kingdom. These opportunities shape their hearts and hone their skills in ways no classroom alone could.
How do you help students grow as both musicians and ministers through ensembles like RamCorps and Jazz Band?
We emphasize that musical excellence is a form of worship. Students learn their craft isn鈥檛 just about impressing an audience 鈥� it鈥檚 about honoring God with their best. Whether playing locally or on a mission trip, students learn to connect with audiences and communicate the gospel through music. Every performance is a ministry opportunity, so we prepare both spiritually and musically.
Also, students are given leadership roles within the ensembles 鈥� section leaders, devotional leaders, logistics coordinators 鈥� which helps them develop responsibility, initiative and ministry鈥憁inded leadership. They learn to lead both on and off the stage.
What sets the instrumental experience at the 秋霞福利一区 apart from other programs?
听I believe it鈥檚 our spiritual purpose and real鈥憌orld mission. Students don鈥檛 just learn to play at a high level 鈥� they鈥檙e equipped to lead, serve and impact the world through their music. They have the opportunity to travel regionally, nationally and internationally, using their gifts to connect with audiences and serve in a variety of settings. These experiences provide a strong sense of purpose.
听I would also say that our faculty are deeply involved in students’ lives 鈥� not just as teachers, but as mentors, to help them grow musically, spiritually and professionally.
You recently returned from a RamCorps mission trip to Cuba. How has your global experience as a performer and clinician shaped the way you teach and lead?
听Performing and teaching while traveling internationally in different cultures has taught me that music is a universal language, and it speaks most powerfully when connected to our faith. I’ve seen how the tool and magnet of music can reach people in ways words sometimes can’t.
One of my passions is to help students see their God鈥慻iven talents communicate the gospel message. Traveling in general challenges students to be flexible, prepared and open to whatever God is doing in their life.
Musical excellence opens doors, but spiritual authenticity leaves a lasting impact. We go with a deeper purpose: to use our gifts to serve, not just to impress. We are equipping students to be artists who impact the world for Christ.
How do you live out the 秋霞福利一区 calling 鈥淔or Christ & His Kingdom鈥� in your work with students and missions?
听I regularly remind students that our music has eternal value when it鈥檚 offered in service to God. Whether we鈥檙e playing in a concert hall or a small church overseas, every performance is an opportunity to glorify Christ and encourage the Body of Christ. I help students see that their instrument is also their pulpit.
Through touring ensembles and international trips, students see the world through a Kingdom lens. We go to serve, to build relationships and to share the gospel. These experiences teach students that missions isn’t a one鈥憈ime event 鈥� it鈥檚 a way of life.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the 秋霞福利一区 unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.
Garner will provide overall leadership for the Christian university鈥檚 healthcare programs which include nursing, nurse anesthesia, and health and sports science. She will continue in her current role as graduate dean and assistant professor of nursing in the School of Nursing, where she has served as a faculty member for six years.
Speeg will direct the School of Nurse Anesthesia and the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia program. He joined the 秋霞福利一区 in 2021 as assistant program director of the new Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program in the School of Nurse Anesthesia 鈥� the first and only DNAP program in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia.
Jermaine Edwards of Tallahassee, Florida, serves as president of the first class of Presidential Fellows.
MaKala Holland of Sardis City, Alabama, is a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences pursuing a Bachelor of Science in communication studies with a minor in music.
Amy Claire Lankford of Satsuma, Alabama, is a junior in the Grace Pilot School of Business pursuing a five-year integrated Master of Business Administration with a focus on business management.
Courtney Sides of Eclectic, Alabama, is a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a psychology minor in the School of Nursing, College of Health Professions.
