I love the local church.
For 18 years I served ONE CHURCH as worship pastor (1997-2015). Since 2016 I’ve helped OVER 200 local churches/schools/Universities as a worship coach, consultant, interim leader, and educator. I have had the joy of leading beautiful congregations from every stream of the Church: mainline, charismatic, and liturgical.
When I was a little boy, a small Presbyterian church plant rescued my family from a domestic abuse situation. The music minister took me under his wing and I’ve been passionate about music ministry ever since. I believe a vibrant worship ministry will gather creatives to the call of the local church and send them to the ends of the earth.
The most important instrument is the gathered people of God and the most powerful song is the one birthed from within.
Three Streams Worship Training is here to help you reimagine inspiring, formational, and Christ-centered gatherings with leaders rooted in humility and courage.
My wife, Susan, is a spiritual director and homeschool mom to our son Zeke. Together, we call Atlanta, GA home.
Your worship ministry is gathering the hope of the world and I would be honored to come alongside you to encourage and equip them. Contact me HERE for a free 30-minute call to discuss the needs of your worship ministry.
ENDORSEMENTS FROM PASTORS+LEADERS:
“Mike was extremely helpful. His expertise is broad, and his leadership style is one to emulate. His ability to adapt to different church styles/theological persuasions, while still providing profound insight to make the worship better was what I was most impressed with. Mike will improve your team, yet, he will not force you into a mold. He was very helpful to our local church, and I highly recommend him to all.”
-Collin Brooks - Pastor, New Mexico
“When Mike O'Brien came to our community to teach and train our worship team, it launched an unprecedented season of growth. Though some of us had been able to attend worship conferences and retreats previously, it was so powerful for all of us to be able to participate together and to be able to talk about the specific strengths and needs of our worship team in the context of our church. In addition to meaningful and practical training, Mike asked great questions and helped us process what our next steps were as a team. So good. So helpful. Highly recommend.
-Amanda Prorak - Worship Leader, Chigaco, IL
“Mike is a gift to the church. His ability to see past the veneer of style and self-imposed pastoral pressure makes him a perfect bit of worship medicine our churches need. Our team is always refreshed by his encouragement into their musicianship and personal worship. I highly recommend him!”
- Jon Quitt, Pastor & Author
“Mike O’Brien is one of the church’s most articulate communicators on the topic of contemporary worship leadership. His ability to break down complex ideas into memorable phrases and move-forward practices is second-to-none. I wholeheartedly recommend that you have Mike work with you, your musicians, and your techs. You won’t regret it; he carries the heart of worship deep within him – and it spills out everywhere.”
- Dan Wilt, Author & Church Trainer, Nashville, TN
“Mike leads and teaches with gentleness, nuance, and authenticity. He has a gift for giving nitty-gritty practical help alongside soul-and-spirit level encouragement and advice and sharing his wealth of experience and vision.
- Fran Pratt, Worship Leader – Austin TX
“He produced and mentored me with such a high standard I felt like I couldn’t keep up, but he encouraged and believe in me to accomplish what I thought was impossible.
- Jorge Respeto, Worship Pastor, Miami FL
“If your team is a hot mess of loudness and they need a little truth in love, you should really consider having him come to your church.
- Caleb Neff, Cape Coral FL.
MORE TESTIMONIES FROM EVENT SURVEYS:
“Incredibly valuable. Mike’s authenticity was refreshing and broke down the “mystique” element that often rears its head around the worship community… great work communicating “doin’ the stuff” as a worship team… not just doing music. Great balance of practical and philosophical – the both/and of our kingdom life.” – Worship Team Member, Nashville TN.
I honestly felt that, as far as applicable knowledge goes, I learned more about how to put music together as a whole Saturday than I have with every other training/teaching I’ve utilized over the entire past year. – Worship Leader, Birmingham AL
“Mike is an absolute boss when it comes to explaining and teaching music. I honestly felt that, as far as applicable knowledge goes, I learned more about how to put music together as a whole Saturday than I have with every other training/teaching I’ve utilized over the entire past year.” – Worship Leader, Birmingham AL
“The ‘Making Music Like a Producer’ class was some of the best, practical instruction I have ever heard.” – Worship Team Member, Houston TX
“I liked the practical training on how to run a rehearsal. How to understand the different instruments and how to communicate with fellow team members.” – Worship Team Member, Los Angeles CA
“The connection between the heart/relationships and worship is so IMPORTANT and presented so clearly and in such a gentle exhortation. Mike didn’t “preach” at us but still conveyed God’s expectations of us in worship.” - Worship Leader, Ann Arbor MI
“For anyone considering whether to invest in your church and/or your worship team, you will never regret saying yes and inviting Mike O’ to come to join you. Through God using Mike, we have a defined path that we are headed towards. We had a team meeting about a month after the conference, and every single person said that they wanted to raise the bar with our worship on an individual level, as well as for our church. It is so encouraging as the worship pastor at VCC to see that developing amongst our team. Without Mike, it would have taken us years to find the path that was laid out in a two day period of time.” – Worship Leader, Saint Louis, MO