Why do I do this? What is it about music that excites me? What is my pursuit about?
I’ve been obsessed with music since freshman year of high school when I began bass guitar lessons for the first time. I had roots in church hymnal music growing up, but nothing ever gripped me like this- heavy rhythms and syncopated beats with aggressive hypnotic melodies. It brought life and energy to an otherwise flat lined existence- boring and mediocre.
I began to search out music like a lost starving man in the desert. I started playing and writing music for the soul purpose of music and success. God got my attention when everything I was living for fell apart. He met me in that place of brokenness and desperation and gave me peace and real purpose.
It was there that I found the fullness of a music experience that engaged my spirit with the Everpresent and Almighty God. From that point on I decide I only wanted to share music that declared truth and restored hope. I desire to see God break through the lies and despair of this world and set people free to sing a new song of joy. I love to celebrate the goodness of God; it’s only then a proper perspective is attained. Identity is found in being a loved child of God and nothing else!
A little bit more about me-
I am 28 years old and live in Madison with my wife and almost 3 yr old son. I work as an electrician part-time. I grew up in Florida and finished high school in Colorado and eventually made my way back to Madison, where I was born. I grew up in a conservative church but walked away from God until I was 19 years old. At 19 I rededicated my life to Christ and began to desire God’s will for my life and the gifts He had given me.
I’ve been involved in Mad City Church for 7 years. I went through the Mad City Training Program which was 4 years of leadership training that included Discipleship Intensive, Bible Intensive, Ministry Intensive, and Leadership Intensive. My wife and I have served as Life Group (small group) leaders which entails worship, discussion of the Word, a meal and prayer all surrounded with lots of kids and hospitality. We also have served in kid’s ministry in a variety of ways including organizing and discipling others to lead worship with little kids.
I also lead prayer/worship meetings for Mad City Church (MCC). I fill in on different instruments occasionally for Sunday mornings and lead worship once every month or 2. I also do miscellaneous worship meetings as the church needs i.e. Alpha, This last year I participated on the leadership team for a class called Worship Intensive which took individuals through a 14 week encounter with God and His heart for worship.
I have a heart for overseas ministry. I’ve had the opportunity to go to Russia, Uganda, Italy, and again back to Russia for short-term missions and had the privilege of sharing the gospel through words, song, prayer, service, and relationship building to the lost, prisoners, orphans, and the local church. I was part of a band named Showbread for 5 years and ministered to many different churches through worship and testimony. We also produced an album during those years.
My wife and I currently do pre-marriage counseling and host neighborhood parties to reach out to the community around us. It’s my desire to have a healthy, well-balanced family where ministry is a natural outflow.
I pray this music draws you closer to God-
Peace-
Trav
