I never set out to become a worship leader.

When I first connected with what was then Church of the King, I was living in Austin, working as an audio engineer and producer at Music Lab while writing, recording, and performing original music. After releasing my first album, The Wounded Dogs Choir, I met the church's incoming pastor during a Christmas visit to Corpus Christi. He had heard the album and asked if I would consider leading music on a Sunday while I was in town visiting my parents.

I had never led worship before.

What began as an occasional invitation grew into a monthly rhythm. For nearly a year, I drove from Austin to Corpus Christi to lead worship while continuing my work at Music Lab. As I prepared each service, I began rediscovering something I hadn't fully appreciated before. The hymns, choruses, and Scriptures that had filled my childhood had quietly taken root, providing a foundation for leading God's people in worship.

As the church prepared to become City Church, its vision was also taking shape. The congregation was embracing an ancient-future model of worship—one that combined historic Christian practices with thoughtful, accessible expression. Weekly communion, creeds, confessions, and expository preaching became central rhythms of congregational life, and I found myself helping give musical expression to that vision.

When the church officially became City Church, I accepted a full-time position as Director of Music and Media. My first Sunday on staff was also the church's first Sunday under its new name.

Looking back, I can see that God had been preparing me long before I recognized it. The music, the production experience, the years of songwriting, and the spiritual foundation laid in my childhood all converged in a calling I never expected.

What I thought would be a season of helping a church through a transition became an eighteen-year journey of shepherding God's people through worship.