History of Worship Generation (2000-05)

In early 2000 both the name and ministry of Worship Generation were founded and established by Calvary Chapel Pastor Joey Buran.

As Joey was guest speaking at numerous youth events in the late 90’s, he began to notice a greater passion and depth of commitment toward Christ in the youth of the next generation. By late 1999, he would often refer to them as “The Gideon Generation” and “A Committed Generation.”  During that time he felt there was more to what he was seeing in the youth, but still couldn’t come up with the right expression for what he was witnessing. Then, in March of 2000, while speaking to the Christian club at Fallbrook High School in North San Diego County, the name “Worship Generation” came to him. While Joey sat in the back, with good friend Scott Cunningham leading worship, the over 100 students in attendance were standing with hands raised in worship. It was then that Joey realized this next generation was a worshipping generation, and now he had the name to describe his vision for ministering to them.

A few weeks after coming up with the name, Pastor Chuck Smith invited Joey to begin a weekly Bible study on Thursday night in the main sanctuary at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa. Joey began doing different topical series through the spring and summer months, targeting the youth of Southern California through the worship and teaching style. During that time, he developed a pattern for worship where he would use a rotation featuring gifted young musicians and bands from both Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa and other churches. The vision for worship was to let these young worship leaders and bands develop their own skills and styles with greater maturity, while allowing the Thursday night congregation to be blessed through the diversity of styles from the different musicians. Names like Jeremy Camp, Scott Cunningham , Phil Wickham, Charlo Brodersen , and Zach Vestnys (Thru the Roof) began to be associated with the Thursday night Bible study. Thus the foundation was laid for the wave of great worship leaders and bands that have come through Worship Generation ever since.

In October of 2000, on the first Thursday of the month, the Thursday night Bible study took on the name “Worship Generation”. The first Worship Generation service featured Joey beginning a verse by verse study through the Gospel of Mark and Jeremy Camp leading worship. Over the next 3 years, Joey would also teach through the book of Acts, and the first part of the Gospel of John. In 2001 and 2002 Worship Generation also produced two CD’s capturing the spirit of worship in the services. During this time, Worship Generation put together numerous tours and outreach events throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Ministry trips in 2003 and 2004 also included events in Florida, Indiana, Maine, and Michigan.

In January 2004 Worship Generation took a big step of faith and made the switch from Thursday to Monday nights replacing the spot vacated by Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries some 2 yrs. before. After moving to Mondays, Joey continued his study through the Gospel of John which he completed by the end of the summer. In the autumn months, he taught various topical studies from the Pauline epistles and then a series on the Foundations of the Christian Faith. The year also featured a number of new bands such as Jonah 33, Telecast, New Influence, and Shachah as well as introducing new worship leaders Sean Dishong, and Sean Cimino. Long time worship leaders Joe Tata, Bobby Brown, Scott Cunningham, Phil and Evan Wickham, and Danny Donnelly, along with the bands Grand Prize and Smithfield continued to be a part of the regular rotation. In December of 2004 under the direction of Joey Buran and Scott Cunningham, Worship Generation produced its 3rd CD entitled, “Heaven Sings It”.

As the year 2005 began, it became clear to pastor Joey Buran that the time had come for him to step out in faith and plant Worship Generation as its own church in Orange County. Prior to announcing this change, Joey taught through the book of Titus from January to March. In January, Worship Generation also hosted the Apostrophe Records CD release party for Grand Prize and their new CD entitled “Identity”. In February the Worship Generation Ministry Team also helped organize and assisted in facilitating a Worship Generation Tour into the Pacific Northwest . During this time Joey also completed his 30 Day Youth Devotional entitled “Lift” (Currently available through Worship Generation and Calvary Chapel Distribution). On March 28, Joey announced to the Worship Generation congregation the impending change for the ministry. On April 25, the final Worship Generation service at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa was held in the main sanctuary.

At that time Worship Generation revised its mission statement. The new revised mission statement became “a local church that is reliable for truth, relational with people, relatable to its culture, and relevant in the application of its faith.” With its revised mission statement, a weekly service in place at Shoreline Baptist Church in Fountain Valley and a vision for expanded ministries for the summer of 2005, the future of Worship Generation as a Church was established with clear direction.