I grew up in a very musical family. My mom sings and writes and all us kids loved music. And all of us could sing – except me. I was tone-deaf until I met Jesus when I was sixteen. God ultimately does stuff for His glory and there’s no doubt in my mind why God healed my ears and gave me a voice. He chooses to use the foolish things of this world; in this case, a tone-deaf kid with no sense of rhythm who couldn’t sing or play a note to save his life.
Soon after I was born again I started writing music and using what God had given me as a way to show God to the world. I attended Bible college for a couple of years then went on to be a youth pastor at Calvary Chapel in Ramona, California. Eventually I became the worship pastor at Reality in Carpinteria, California.
In November 2011 I left the paid staff position at that church and went into full-time music. I still lead worship music at Reality whenever I am home and continue to serve as one of the lay pastor/elders at the church.
What is the aim your ministry?
I really just want my life and music to be a tool to expose Jesus to the world, and to move His followers to step out in faith and follow the example of Jesus in how He loved and served the world around Him.
What are the “backstops” that you have in place in your life that help you maintain balance?
Abiding in, and continually keeping my eyes on Christ is the only thing that really balances me and gives me a plumb line to keep me straight. Having a wife who’s a seeker of righteousness and a group of pastors (who are also some of my best friends) around me and who aren’t afraid to slap me if I start being dumb definitely plays a huge role in keeping me grounded and focused.
What are the musical influences that have led to the creation of your diverse musical sound?
I think my sound was really shaped between the ages of 15 and 22 when Sublime, Lauren Hill, Bob Marley, Real Big Fish, and Wyclef Jean were influencing me. (Note: I’m not necessarily endorsing the lyrics or messages behind the named artists. Just stating the fact that they were a huge part of what shaped my sound.)
What is the message of your “American Dream” album?
This life is about so much more than we make it sometimes. We’re here for a purpose greater than our own. Everything that God does or allows to happen, He wants to use to accomplish that purpose. But life is sometimes really hard and honestly kind of sucks. Yet the love of God is stronger. It was strong enough to carry Christ through the cross, and it will be strong enough to carry us through the stormiest of trials. I don’t want to make my life about me, my plans, my success, my money, my stuff, or my “dream.” I want my life to be about God. This album will hopefully push people to live the way that God intended them to live, and give hope that will be used to shine light in the midst of life’s darkest moments.
You have been in front of many students over the last several years. What call to action do you leave with students?
Young people (especially in America) need to grasp the fact that we’re here for a reason much bigger than ourselves. God has chosen to work through His people to accomplish His work. As crazy as it sounds, God wants to involve us in His great plan of redeeming humanity back
to Himself.
How can we pray for you?
Thanks for asking. I’d love you to pray that I would be strategic with every move I make. My wife gets to sing with me and the kids (Selah, 7 and Solomon, 4) get to travel with us and be a part of what God is doing, but the travelling can get really hard on us. This is also a kind of scary time financially for us, as this is the first year that music is my sole income. God has been so faithful to meet every need and I know He will continue, but we definitely need prayer that we keep walking by faith.
