Gardendale-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church’s youth praise band, Mountain Top United, took home first place at the North Alabama Conference’s Annual Conference Battle of the Bands.

The group, consisting of Dalton Moore, Lauren Hughes, Parker Erwin, Wydner Edmonds and Drew Cassidy, competed on June 3 in Munger Auditorium at Birmingham-Southern College against multiple other United Methodist Church praise bands from the conference. Groups were required to perform a three-song set in competition to receive a Guitar Center gift card and the opportunity to lead worship at the annual conference, as well as at three additional conferences.

Competing groups were to perform three songs including any hymn from the United Methodist Hymnal; a choice between songs “One Thing Remains” by Jesus Culture, “After All (Holy)” by David Crowder, or “Like a Lion” by Daniel Bashta, and any praise or worship song of the band’s choosing.

The students considered themselves “humbled” by the fact that they had won, which would give them the ability to lead worship as a reward for their efforts.

The were also humbled to have the ability “for God to use them,” Micah Dormann, director of Youth and Young Adults at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church, said about the students reactions to taking the top prize.

Dormann emphasized the hard work the students put into the event, work which he said was “not just for their own glory, but to bring glory to God.”

“To see how far they have come, not just as worships leaders, but as leaders in their schools, friendships, and our church, could not make me more proud,” Dormann added. “They aren’t the future leaders of the church. They are the leaders of the here and now, and I can’t wait to see where God takes them next.”