"let everything that has breath praise the Lord..." Psalm 150:6

The Bible says we should make music in our hearts to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19). I have had the privilege of 'making music in my heart' since I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord at the age of 15. Music has been the outward manifestation of what the Lord has done in my life and the ongoing transformation of my being into what He wants me to be.  I have served the Lord in ministry now for 22 years and in all this time I witnessed in joy and amazement how biblical messages in song have reached out and touched lives. Sacred music, when imbued with beauty and emotional content is a powerful tool to communicate the Gospel of Christ.  

In the U.S. I have served at churches in Indiana and Minnesota. Currently I am the director of music at Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Cokesbury is a large church, worshipping God in three campuses. I lead worship at the South campus in what is called the 'Traditional' service. I consider that service as traditional in the sense that we sing hymns and follow a familiar liturgy. Our worship experience however is very rich in its liturgical elements and musically encompassing - we tastefully employ varied styles of music, from classical to Christian contemporary. Jazz music has been an influence in the harmonic language of our arrangements and has inspired our improvising during corporate singing and reflexive instrumental moments.  This new approach to style and programming, supported by a faithful choir and professional vocal soloists, plus music by some of America's best arrangers has brought breadth and depth to our music program. Cokesbury members have responded positively and our attendance has significantly increased.

Regardless of music style and cultural relevancy, I believe corporate worship has to be genuinely participatory - all partake in the act of worship. Attendees are not audience and performers are not entertainers. This philosophy in ministry has led me to encourage the congregations I lead worship at to sing passionately, pray earnestly and follow the Word truthfully. The music selection, the psalmody, the extemporaneous prayers are elements that work in coordination to point out God's awesome power, Jesus' love shown on the cross of Calvary, the redemptive power of His blood, and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives today - all reasons for heartfelt worship.

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Thanksgiving @ Cokesbury

Cokesbury Church

Bach Cantata @ Cokesbury