Ministry Feature // Seth Rice // CrossPointe Church Valdosta, GA

For this Ministry Feature, we had the privilege to chat with Seth Rice of CrossPointe Church in Valdosta, GA about his church, ministry, and CrossPointe Worship’s latest album. We hope you enjoy getting to know Seth!

TCC: Tell us about your church!

Seth: I serve at CrossPointe Church in Valdosta, GA, which is about as far south as you can go in Georgia. I’ve lived here and been apart of CrossPointe for 3 years now. It’s an awesome church; it’s the most gospel-centered church I’ve ever been apart of.  We run 3 services per weekend; 1 on Saturday night and 2 on Sunday morning – close to 2,000 in attendance on weekends.

TCC: In what capacity are you involved in worship ministry at CrossPointe?

Seth: I’m one of three worship leaders on staff, along with Eric McKinley and our worship pastor, Spence Parkerson. Spence and I do a large amount of the songwriting for our original music, but it’s definitely a collaborative effort with our other worship leaders and musicians. The worship ministry is driven by serving and discipleship. It’s amazing to see these musicians serve week in and week out purely on a volunteer basis.

TCC: When did you first come to know Christ as your personal Savior?

Seth: I am very much a product of my upbringing. My parents brought me up in church; my dad is a deacon at the church I was raised in. I find that this kind of scenario happens a lot here in the “Bible Belt.” I remember walking down the aisle ask a kid, and saying the sinners prayer and all that. Even at that age of 7 or 8, I was asking questions about faith and salvation. Continuing on through middle school, high school, college… I would profess to be one thing, but I was living my life like hell on the other hand. For a very long time, I was one of the “white-washed tombs” that Jesus talks about. About 3 1/2 years ago, right before I moved to Valdosta, I was leading worship at a small church plant in my hometown. The pastor there really started discipling and pouring into me; and during that time, the Holy Spirit really started opening my eyes, and allowing me to see the Gospel for what it truly is – it isn’t this checklist of things I needed to do to gain His approval. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was sufficient. That salvation was through His grace and grace alone. He had truly gave it all for me, so why would I not do the same for Him? That was when true-life change occurred.

TCC: Tell us about your education – did you attend a school of ministry or seminary?

Seth: I haven’t been to seminary. I actually went to school for radiation therapy. I work at the cancer center in Valdosta as a radiation therapist, and I’m at the church part time.

TCC: What is your musical background; what instruments do you play?

Seth: I started kind of late. I didn’t really gain much interest in music until high school. I joined a band, but all I did was sing for about a year. I first picked up the guitar around age 17 or so, and it kind of continued on from there. I started doing some writing and played in several bands over the course of a few years. I didn’t start playing worship music until I was 20. I play guitar, sing, and dabble in a few other things (drums, bass, banjo).

TCC: Tell us about your church’s latest album,”Take This City” – what’s the heart behind it? Is there a general theme that runs throughout the album?

Seth: Behind every project, there is vision, purpose, and conviction. For the worship ministry at CrossPointe, the project “Take This City” was birthed from a real, genuine longing to see revival in our personal lives, our church, and our city. Walking hand in hand with the ‘Horizontal’ initiative, we move in faith to reach Valdosta for Christ with the Gospel. Our calling as a ministry is to lift high the name of Jesus Christ and to spread His message. It is imperative for us to remember what we have been called to and to be faithful to that calling. We believe that these songs are inspired by what God has done in the life of our church and what He will do in the future. We are excited about these songs. We are excited about what God is doing in our lives, our church, and our city. These songs come from within our church, are for our church, and for the church collectively. That is why “Take This City” is so much more than an album, it’s a declaration, an act of surrender. It’s our prayer as a worship ministry that God would take our city for His glory, for His kingdom’s sake, and glorify His name. This is the central theme that resounds throughout this album. We know that God has given us these songs to bring glory to His name and to make Him famous. We’ve been really blessed by the response, and are super thankful that God allows us to do this.

“Take This City” is so much more than an album, it’s a declaration, an act of surrender. It’s our prayer as a worship ministry that God would take our city for His glory, for His kingdom’s sake, and glorify His name.

 

TCC: What was your role in the production of the album?

Seth: I tracked all the guitars, wrote or co-wrote many of the songs, and I sang two songs on the album.

Check out our review of “Take This City” here.

TCC: What advice would you give to worship leaders who want to take their church to the next level with songwriting?

Seth: For us as writers, it’s important to understand that God isn’t just interested in hearing facts about himself. He’s interested in hearing our heart for Him. I would encourage worship leaders and songwriters to get in the Word. Scripture inspires the majority of the songs that we write. If we’re seeking the Lord the way we should, by reading & knowing His Word, the response of that pursuit should be an overflow of worship… and it just so happens to be in song form for us.

TCC: Ok, for the gear nerds out there, what’s your favorite piece of guitar gear?

Seth: Well there are a few things; but first of all my amps. I’ve got a Jackson Newcastle and a Bad Cat Classic Cat. When I’m not running stereo, I just use the Jackson; about 80% of the guitars on “Take This City” were recorded on that one amp. Besides my amps, I love my Nash Telecaster!

TCC: Sounds rough!

Seth: It’s tough in the streets, man!

http://youtu.be/h2gxMZWV088

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For more information about CrossPointe Church Valdosta, check out their website.

Check out CrossPointe Worship on Facebook, and be sure to pick up “Take This City” on iTunes.