Name: Tim Van Bruggen
Position Title: worship pastor
Church Name/Location:First Assembly of God, New Port Richey, FL
Church Size: 300-400
Sr. pastor’s name: Rev. Dr. Ed Hartman
Full-time, Part-time, or Volunteer: Part-Time
How long have you been in this current position? 2 ½ years
Spouse name: Elena
Years Married: 14 years
Children: Trystan, 10 and Matthew, 2
Tell us about your background and how you came to being involved in worship ministry.I actually went to college for Theatre and Performing Arts management. After rededicating my life to the Lord shortly after college, I became a part of the worship team at Holland First Assembly of God in Michigan. When our associate pastor who led worship left to pastor a church in Florida, I stepped up to become a worship leader.
Tell us about the personality of your church and the role of music and worship in it.My church is very heavy on the senior citizen side, but is slowly growing in the younger age groups as that part of our community grows. I was brought on to bring a more blended music style to the platform while continuing to honor the hymns and older music our senior saints love so much.
How is the music/worship area structured in the areas of leadership as well as musical groups? (worship team, worship band, choir, orchestra, etc)
Being a small church, I head up both our band and worship singers. My wife directs the choir, which meets during the school year.
When do your groups rehearse? Our worship team practices before service on Sunday mornings, and our choir rehearses Wednesday evenings after mid-week services.
Where do you see your church and/or music area in ten years?I’m hoping to grow a youth band with our youth pastor and get more of the young adults involved.
Where do you look for new music?Everywhere! I listen to a lot of Christian radio, especially the praise & worship programs. Plus, my band is very vocal when they hear something they’d like to do.
What are 5 worship songs that your church is singing right now?We’re loving
Revelation Song, which has become a favorite, and Jonathan Stockstill’s
To Deserve. Other favorites right now are
God Is Good All The Time, Kim Gente’s
Bless The Lord and Nathan Marialke’s
Gaze.
What is the best part of doing what you do?I love seeing people in the congregation get lost in His presence during a song that touches them.
What is your biggest challenge?Finding instrumentalists!!!! And time to practice!
What was the last good book you read?I’m currently reading
Three Free Sins by Steve Brown which I’m finding interesting and challenging. I also enjoyed Michael Card’s study on Luke.
What are some hobbies/interests you have outside of church?I love the theatre, and try to get involved in community theatre productions when time allows. I’ve played Sparky in “Forever Plaid”, Matthew in “Cotton Patch Gospel” and wrote and performed Ananias in an original two-man play about Paul’s conversion called “The Damascus Commission”
Favorite meal/restaurant?I love the pulled pork tacos and beef wet burrito from Chihuahua Mexican Grill in Tampa.
All-time favorite groups/artists?Darrell Evans, Michael Card, Iona, Sting, Billy Crockett, Wes King, Jeff Johnson (of Ark Records), Fernando Ortega, Nathan Marialke, Jason Upton . . . oh, and the Muppets!