Inside Worship Collective
Meet the student musicians amplifying Christ's message for MC's student body.
Each week, students gather together in Swor Auditorium for chapel, where they are led in worship by Mississippi College’s student band, Worship Collective. Worship Collective is a group of students who, under the direction of Tyler Kemp, lead worship in weekly chapel services in addition to worship services and events throughout the school year.
“We are a group of worship leaders,” Kemp said. “We take on the task of leading worship in chapel every week, but we also do nights of worship and other events. Our ensemble technically falls under the music department, but we like to think we serve the entire campus.”
Worship Collective is not simply a group of musicians and singers. The students who make up the band lead with the hope that God will be glorified through their talents. They do not aim to bring attention to themselves but hope that they will lead others’ attention to Christ.
“Being in a worship leader role, being on the platform, a lot of eyes are on you,” Alyson Jadzinski, senior member of Worship Collective, said. “But the Lord quickly humbles you, quickly reminds you, this is about making much of his name.”
For the members of the group, it has not only been an opportunity to lead, but it has also been an opportunity for growth. Many of the members have been able to learn and grow in their hearts behind leading worship.
“It taught me how to be more real when I lead worship and not be ashamed of my weakness,” Jadzinski said. “Because scripture talks about in 2 Corinthians, His grace is sufficient for us, for His power is made perfect in weakness.”
Worship Collective’s impact extends beyond weekly chapel services. The group also hosts a worship night during Welcome Week and has served at the Baptist Convention CRV Banquet and multiple DNOWs. Recently, they hosted a worship night in the Upper Commons in Alumni Hall, which showcased a more acoustic side of the band.
“We rock out a lot in Chapel,” Kemp said. “I mean, we’re playing for hundreds of people in there and we do full band worship, which has its place, but also, the stripped down acoustic worship has its place too. I’ve never been a part of a worship in the round where everyone centers themselves around a cross and sings together, so that was very special.”
Participating in the band has also allowed the members chances to grow technically in their musical abilities. They have been able to improve their talents and their ability to work with other musicians. To the musicians, Worship Collective has not simply been a pastime. It has been a way for them to invest in the campus, and, in turn, they have found that they have also been impacted by the group.
“My favorite part is that I have learned so much,” Drew Martin, sophomore member, said. “When I think back to before coming to MC and joining Worship Collective, I knew nothing compared to what I know now. Mr. Kemp pushes us in ways that I didn’t even know that I needed, just learning about a lot of the logistical things like communication between songs and communication amongst the musicians and the singers.”
Virtual auditions for the 2025-26 Worship Collective team concluded last week. Both Kemp and the past year’s members encourage students interested in singing or playing an instrument to get involved.
“Worship Collective is great,” Martin said. “If anybody wants to audition, they definitely should. It’s a great experience.”
