Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Music - Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA

Master of Arts in Worship Leadership - Haggard Graduate School of Theology, Azusa, CA

Background:

    I started playing the guitar when I was in the third grade.  I developed an interest in worship music when I got into junior high.  However, it was not until high school that I began understanding the meaning of worship and what it meant to have spiritual gifts. 

Before high school, the words “worship” and “music” were synonymous.  I had the privilege of being discipled by my worship pastor, Daniel Elias.  It was with him that I was able to understand the difference between worship and music and how music is only one of the many wonderful tools we can use to worship God.  It was during this time of growth that I began to develop a passion for worship and music.

    That passion led me to study music at Azusa Pacific University.  Since my forte is in playing the guitar, I decided that my emphasis would be classical guitar performance.  This was a challenge for me because not only had I never played classical guitar before college, I never learned to read music for the guitar as well.  There were many doubts that I would make it as a performance major.  However, God has blessed me to be able to learn quickly.  I may not have been good at reading music before college, but I eventually excelled in music theory and was even a TA (Teacher’s Assistant) for a couple of music theory professors.  Not only did I graduate as a performance major, I also performed in the School of Music Honor’s Recital in my sophomore, junior, and senior year!

    As my passion for worship and music grew, I realized that the knowledge I received in school was not enough.  I also needed experience in addition to the knowledge.  What good is all the knowledge you receive in school if you cannot apply it?  I needed to get experience applying what I have learned.  For two summers, I worked at Tulare First Baptist Church as the Worship Arts Intern.  It was here that I was not only able to receive experience, but more knowledge through hands on experience within ministry.

    After receiving my bachelor’s degree, my experience during my internship led me to believe that I needed more theological training to supplement my musical training in order to be a better worship leader.  I believe that an effective worship leader is not only a good music director, but is also a good pastor.  So I continued my education at Haggard Graduate School of Theology to gain a theological and biblical foundation to my worship leading.

    As I was studying at Haggard, God led me to serve here at Hacienda Heights Baptist Church.  I have been serving here since November, 2004.  I believe that it is evident that the Holy Spirit is moving in our church.  I am excited to see the awesome things God is going to be doing in our church and our community.

Family:

    I am married to my beautiful wife, Vanessa.  We were both music majors at APU and it was in the halls of the music department where we met.  We are proud parents to our beautiful daughter, Cadence, who was born on 9/9/09 at 9 pounds!  We know that God has a great plan (Jeremiah 29:11) for our family and we’re anxious to see what His plan has in store for us!

Hobbies:

Music ...of course! (www.alwaysbnatural.com)

Photography (www.vinhluuphoto.com)

Favorites:

Food: Steak... I’m a carnivore!!!

TV Show: House M.D.

Worship Artist: Tommy Walker

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