Zawadi Morrow serves as assistant director of worship with Hope College Campus Ministries, helping lead and shape worship that reflects both the Hope community and the global Church. As a worship leader, songwriter and artist, Zawadi is passionate about creating spaces where students can encounter Jesus, find belonging and discover how their own stories and gifts fit within the larger story of God.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and adopted as an infant by missionary parents, Zawadi grew up across Africa, Europe and the United States. Those experiences formed in him a deep love for the beauty and diversity of the global Church and continue to shape the way he thinks about worship, identity and belonging.

Education

• M.A., worship studies, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 2011
• B.M., music education, Appalachian State University, 2009

Professional Experience

In addition to his work at Hope, Zawadi serves as director of worship arts at Calvary Church in Holland, Michigan, and as artist in residence with the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), a global network serving and equipping Christians in foster care, adoption and orphan care. As a musician, he has spent many years writing, recording and touring, including as a longtime member of Kings Kaleidoscope. His current creative work through No More Orphans brings together music, story and advocacy around the conviction that every person is made to belong.

Why I Love Hope

Zawadi loves Hope because it is a place where faith, learning, creativity and community are invited to belong together. He especially loves walking alongside students during such a formative season of life — helping them encounter the love of Jesus, discover their God-given gifts and experience worship as something much bigger than music or a moment in Chapel. For Zawadi, one of the great joys of Hope is hearing a room full of students sing together and knowing that every voice, every story and every background has a place in the family of God!

Outside the College

Outside of Hope, Zawadi spends much of his time making music, traveling and dreaming up creative projects. He and his wife, Erin, have two children, and their family’s experience with adoption and foster care have deeply shaped their lives and their understanding of belonging. He loves exploring new places, discovering good food, spending time near the water and finding beauty and inspiration just about anywhere.