Church // Christ Tabernacle
Location // Santa Rosa, CA
10 years ago I was actively playing music and making my way as a songwriter here in Northern California. I received an opportunity to play a little worship concert at a local Christian art gallery. I was asked to show up with about 4 or 5 songs and that I would be playing totally unplugged. Well, I ended up playing for over an hour and had close to 40 people in this tiny gallery all singing along to worship. It was awesome!. When I finished playing I began to weep, I stood outside in the rain and cried. I heard the Lord say to me, “This is what I have called you for”….”This is what I have called you for”. That week I emailed my Pastor and asked if we could talk…..I shared my experience and asked for prayer. I trusted in the Lord that He would fulfill on His promise and that He was in control. Soon after that I was leading worship in my church and became the Worship Director where I served until November of 2013.
In the past year my family and I left the church where I was saved and served as the worship director/pastor. We had felt God pointing us in a new direction and the church supported us with this decision. We now attend a church where I am involved in assisting the Pastor and the worship team(kind of like a consultant I suppose). I am also helping other local churches who do not have a worship leader in their ministry. The call that God has on my life is to be in full time worship ministry and that is the course that I am on. I am actively sending my resume to churches and know that God is preparing an exciting new chapter in our life.
Do you have any advice for the new worship leader?
Be a student and learn your craft. It is important to develop a vision and mission for what you want. If you feel the call to be involved in worship, set time to meet with your churches Worship Pastor and learn from him/her. Don’t get discouraged if you are not playing every Sunday and learn to love the music that represents your church.
What do you do to stay close to God?
For starters I read my bible and dedicate time each day for devotions. It is so easy to get busy and allow life to get “in the way”. I also spend my time with people that challenge me and keep me fresh. I love spending time with other worship leaders and learn from them.
What instruments do you play?
Primarily I am a vocalist and rhythm guitar player. I can also play the piano, bass, percussion, and woodwind instruments.
