Josh didn’t exactly ease into life at Immanuel. His very first Sunday was the launch of the Richmond Campus.
His girlfriend at the time, now his wife, had invited him to join her for worship while he was in college. When she mentioned the team needed someone who knew production, Josh raised his hand. He already had experience running it at his home church, so it felt like a natural fit. What he didn’t anticipate was that stepping into that role on day one would shape the next several years of his faith.
“My very first Sunday was the launch of the Richmond campus,” he says, “and it was the best way to get involved in the church.”
What It Actually Takes to Run a Service
As part of the production team at the Richmond campus, Josh helps coordinate the full flow of a worship service, working across camera, audio, lights, and live streaming to connect IBC’s campuses together. It’s the kind of work most people in the congregation never see, and that’s partly what drew him to it.
“Not many people think about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the production of a worship service,” he says. “I like serving on this team because it’s not as front-stage as other serve teams may be.”
He serves roughly every other week during the summer and once or twice a month during school semesters. The team arrives early for band rehearsal and stays a few minutes after to tear everything down and get the room ready for the following week. For Josh, who works a second-shift job and doesn’t always get mornings with his wife and kids, the flexibility that rhythm offers matters more than most people might realize.
“Serving like this is great because you never feel worked,” he says.
“My very first Sunday was the launch of the Richmond campus, and it was the best way to get involved in the church.”
When the Knobs Actually Matter
Josh went to college for music. He’s spent years developing his ear, and that background means he notices things that a lot of others wouldn’t. But it also means he’s brought something specific to the role that has surprised even him.
There have been moments in the back room, headphones on, hands on the board, where he’s made a small adjustment to how the band sounds and felt something shift. Not just in the room, but in himself.
“There have been many times where I have been worshipping in the back room, and being able to change the way the band sounds or feels has brought me to the feet of Jesus,” he says. “Something simple like that can really make a difference to how things are felt and impact people.”
It’s a reminder that worship doesn’t require a seat in the sanctuary. Sometimes it happens at a soundboard.
“Being able to change the way the band sounds or feels has brought me to the feet of Jesus.”
Growing Where You’re Not the Expert
Serving on the production team has also pushed Josh in ways he didn’t expect. His classical music training made him, by his own admission, overly critical. He notices when things are off. He hears what others don’t.
But that critical ear has had to learn a different lesson in this context.
“Serving on this team has taught me that worship is not for me but is for the Lord,” he says, “and that serving even without recognition has value in God’s eyes.”
Selflessness and humility are the words he reaches for when asked how serving has shaped him. For someone wired to evaluate and critique, learning to let go of that and simply offer what you have is its own kind of growth.
“Serving even without recognition has value in God’s eyes.”
Just Go For It
If you’ve been sitting on the fence about serving, Josh’s advice is about as straightforward as it gets.
“Go for it and don’t be afraid of picking the wrong team,” he says. “There’s a place for everyone. You can serve in just one or more than one. Serving always gives you a greater love for Christ and for his church. And it’s fun!”
For Josh, it started with saying yes on a campus launch Sunday because someone he loved told him there was a need. It grew into something that has shaped how he hears music, how he worships, and how he understands what it means to give without needing anyone to notice.
Find the Serve Team that’s right for you and start using your gifts to serve others!