To lead and encourage the heart felt worship of God through music with passion, musical and theological skill
ABOUT ME
I am a follower of Jesus; a husband to my wife Natasha of 25 years, a father of two girls, and a creative who enjoys working with others. It’s my prayer and goal to be a servant and reflector of God’s love to my little family, friends, and others I encounter in this life. While born and raised in New Jersey, I have spent my adult life in sunny Southern California. I love getting outdoors to the beach or for a hike, playing music, cooking, and socializing with friends over a good pizza or tacos. Natasha and I enjoy sharing our home with friends and strangers. Her passion is counseling women. We like to laugh and goof off, but are always ready to sit down and "weep with those who weep" and pray for one another.
The love of music came early for me as an inspired 5 year old listened to Endless Summer by The Beach Boys; over and over again. Through the years I took up saxophone, guitar, bass, and singing; played in bands and produced my own music as well as some friends'. But one of the most meaningful things to do with my gifts has been to lead fellow believers in worship of Jesus. Through the years, I have often sensed the possibility of God’s call to full time ministry. This is a step out to see what God might be doing.
I was led to Jesus at the age of 10 after hearing the Gospel and realizing my need for a Savior. I grew up in a Christian home and sought to honor the Lord with my actions and attitudes from the heart. However, in my early twenties I started to understand more of God’s grace and love, repentance, and my role in the local church. The Lord stoked a desire to serve with my music abilities in any capacity I could.
After several years of trying to have kids, my wife and I decided to build our family through foster care and private adoption. So many lessons learned through those experiences, but two that stand out are that God works in ways we cannot even fathom, and true love is not connected to bloodline, race, or background. Having children has been one huge source of sanctification and teacher of God's love and patience towards us. These things about God continue to change from book to experiential knowledge.
Lately, I’ve been challenged to continue developing my inner life with Christ, to be mindful of not letting talents get ahead of character, and to pray over ALL things, including those areas I think I can fix in my own strength. To trust God, that if He calls, then He will equip. One of my favorite passages which I keep striving for: Romans 12:10-13 - Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
THOUGHTS ON MUSIC MINSTRY
It’s my job as a Worship Leader / Music Director to present songs and set lists that will minister to the mind, heart, and soul of each believer. This means songs laced with scripture or scriptural ideas. Songs that convey a personal cry of the heart as we see in the Psalms, and maybe even including some instrumentals that can give pause for meditation & prayer during the service. The end goal of it all being the churches’ growth in becoming more Christ like.
I’m a big proponent of contemporary and original music, but I also believe it’s important for the church to stay connected to its history. I think it's comforting to know there were many believers who came before us that faced similar hardships and heartaches. Including hymns and “older” songs (even from the 90s😂) into the repetoire of the church helps promote that connection to the past as well as fosters inclusion of an older generation.
I can lead solo but I really enjoy working with a team. Even if it’s just one or two more people. It works out for the best. It’s also a picture of the church; individuals using their gifts together to serve the greater body.
It's really important to sing a song in a key that most of the church can sing in. This really helps people engage and feel more confident with singing. An inexperienced leader might ignore this point and sing in the "artist" key. Allowing for a great performance, but leaving behind many that can't sing the melody in the higher key.
The reason to strive for excellence and performing well as a team, is not to impress people, but to avoid being a hindrance in worship. Ultimately, you could say it’s my job to get out of the way in leading others in worship.
VIDEO SAMPLES
(My previous church did not record services until the pandemic)
O PRAISE THE NAME
Main Service with band.
The congregation was singing strong on this one... nothing better than hearing the church sing out praises!
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD
Main Service with Band - Leading on Bass.
Covid stream outdoors; borrowing from
King & Country's version of this classic carol
ALL YOU NATIONS (original)
Based on Psalm 47
Prayer/Praise Covid live stream
Songs in between Prayer times
GREAT ARE YOU LORD
Main Service acoustic set.
OUR GREAT GOD
Opening for a Sunday night class.
Acoustic set with a portion of the High School band.
LION & THE LAMB
Main Service acoustic set
Intro Comments & Song
SONG WRITING SAMPLES
For more original music visit:
www.eternalfriendsmusic.com
RESUME
SUMMARY
-Experienced in all areas related to music ministry including creative, technical, and spiritual for two mulit-generational church bodies.
-Skilled in leading and planning music appropriate for various events of all sizes and age groups.
-Multi-talented singer-songwriter able to lead with Acoustic, Electric, and Bass guitar.
-Recruit, motivate, and direct fellow musicians and technical personnel.
-Experienced with Proclaim, and Planning Center Software.
-Able to quickly learn audio / creative software due to experience with multiple platforms.
EXPERIENCE
Christian Assembly: Eagle Rock, CA: Jan. 2023 - Present
Volunteer Worship Leader and Team Member
-Worship Leader for 16 week Perspectives class (Jan. - May 2024). www.perspectives.org and CA Singles group quarterly meetings.
-Serving as a worship team member for a multi-racial/generational church body with 3 services on the weekend.
Calvary Bible Church: Burbank, CA: 1994-2022 (serving a church of 400-1000 over the years)
Volunteer Worship Leader serving in Main Services, & Multiple Capacities
-Music Director for High School Ministry (up to 100 students each Sunday): 8 years -Worship Leader for College/Career Ministry (40-50 each Tuesday): 4 years
-Worship Leader for Kids For Christ (20-30 kids each Sunday): 5 years
-Led numerous times for main services, various retreats and special conferences of a multi-generational church over the years.
-Plan / arrange songs and setlists.
-Oversee and lead rehearsals.
-Introduce and teach new, as well as, original songs.
-Lead prayer and devotional time with the team before services and at rehearsals.
-Organize and lead live sound set up with HS ministry for various retreats.
-Recruit, develop & train student musicians in playing as a band.
-Oversee students involved in the HS Audio/Tech ministry.
-Organized and led an Audio/Tech training event including industry professionals to speak and train the students.
-Experienced with CCLI, Proclaim, and Planning Center.
Volunteer Worship Leader for parachurch ministries
Hope Again Ministries; Hollywood, CA: 2006 - 2015
Walk for Life rallies; Glendale, CA: Various dates
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Singer / Songwriter / Performer / Producer
-Produced & performed on Christmas EP which included original “Darkness Won’t Prevail”.
-Produced, engineered, mixed & performed on original releases “Burnt Offerings” and “No Stiffnecks”.
-Manager, Singer, Bass player of 8 piece Christian band who performed in the Los Angeles area.
AUDIO PRODUCTION
-Professional audio experience in Live and Post-Production.
-Recording and mixing with digital DAW’s, and analog gear.
GRAPHICS and VIDEO
-Over 15 years professional experience as a Motion Graphics Artist using Adobe Creative Suite software.
-Produced & edited music videos for Eternal Friends music You Tube channel.
EDUCATION
Survey of the Bible - LTD class (Leadership, Training, Discipleship) Calvary Bible Church; Burbank, CA
-One year intensive study surveying major doctries of the Bible.
Honors Certificate in Vocal Performance
-Musician’s Institute; Hollywood, CA
Bachelor of Arts; Radio, TV, & Film: Audio Emphasis
-Messiah College / Temple University
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
A series of videos where Worship songwriter
Tommy Walker discusses worship and our role as leaders
Bob Kauflin of Sovereign Grace Music
covers multiple topics for a leader & team
Worship songwriter Tommy Walker site with Free resources
Free Seminary level classes, including a series on Biblical Worship
Free Seminary level classes on worship taught by Dr. Mark Dalbey
Just discovered this Podcast/Website chock full of resources
MY FAMILY
CONTACT ME
