Denton worship leader wants students to know Christ

DENTON—When Daniel Bertrand leads worship for student events, he wants young people to do more than enjoy the experience. He wants them to learn about the meaning of worship and embracing worship as a lifestyle.

 “My desire is that others would experience the joy of Christ through an authentic time of worship and that the gospel is proclaimed,” Bertrand said. “Music has a special way of drawing us near to the Lord, uniting us together in Christ and reminding us of his truths as we sing.

“My heart in that is that we would know Christ and make him known. If that’s all that is taken away from an event, then it’s all worth it.”

When he was in seventh grade, Bertrand began leading worship for his youth group at First Baptist Church in Early. At that time, Bertrand had no idea what he thought was simply a “cool opportunity” would begin paving the way and shaping his heart to enter full-time ministry after graduating from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.

 “I was blessed to grow up in a strong Christian home,” Bertrand said. “My parents always served the church in various ways. I was the kid who was at church any time the doors were open, and the Lord saved me at any early age.

“In seventh grade, my youth pastor Joe Baucom asked if I would lead worship for the youth group. I thought it was simply something I should do because that’s what ‘good kids’ do. Plus, I loved music and thought it was cool.

 “Little did I know that in doing that throughout the next few years the Lord was cultivating my heart for how he would use me for his glory.”

When he was in junior high school, Bertrand surrendered his life to Christian ministry. By the time he was in high school, he said, “It became clear what the Lord called me to do.”

“Since then, I have been blessed to have the opportunity to lead worship for various events,” he said. “It really began by leading worship for a weekly service for college students at South Side Baptist Church in Abilene. During that time, I developed a band, and we were blessed to be a part of seeing God choose to grow that ministry exponentially.”

Worship brings ‘encouragement, admonishment and joy’

Today, as he leads worship for events around the state, Bertrand desires to remind students and young adults about the purpose and priority of singing songs to God with reverence and adoration.

 “Our songs of worship must always point us back to the truths of his word and the glory of who Jesus Christ is and what he has done,” Bertrand said.

 “There is nothing sweeter than worshipping the Lord together. I personally believe music is a gift that allows us to do so in a unique and beautiful way. It stirs our affections to the Lord, as his word dwells within us richly—bringing encouragement, admonishment and joy.”

Bertrand’s theme verse for his music ministry is Colossians 3:16, which states, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

In addition to serving as the pastor of worship and discipleship at Redeemer Church in Denton, Bertrand travels around the state leading worship for Disciple Now weekends, youth retreats and summer camps.

 “God has been so good and gracious to provide opportunities, and it is a joy to partner with other churches and ministries as we serve the Lord together,” Bertrand said. “Voices resounding together as one, ringing out and singing truths of who our God is and what he has done for us.

“It’s a great reminder for us every time we lead worship, and each opportunity is one I don’t want to miss. When we worship together, we are united in Christ. It’s a glorious picture and a taste of eternity.”

Allow the Holy Spirit to lead

Most recently, Bertrand said, God has been teaching him about pursuing joy in him.

“No matter the circumstances, we can experience joy in Christ. He is good, and he is faithful. Life gets crazy, and it’s easy to shift focus. It’s easy to let other things distract you from pursuing the Lord, but Christ is our treasure, our hope eternal. When we pursue him, we find that he is our joy,” he said.

“When our world is heavy, we need the reminder of what Christ has done. We need to remember that who Jesus is never changes. Jesus is better. My desire is to sing and proclaim truth so that we may continually respond to the goodness and faithfulness of God remembering the work that has been done for us in and through Jesus Christ.”

Bertrand said his desire is to step out of the way during the worship service and allow the Holy Spirit to lead.

“There are so many things I could share of how the Lord has moved through different events,” Bertrand noted. “The Spirit does a work as he chooses, and we are blessed with the invitation to participate in that. It’s easy to try to manufacture things to happen, but when we can simply get out of the way and let God do what God does, those are the most meaningful experiences.”

Bertrand recalled an experience at a camp a few years ago.

“The service was winding down, but the plan was to have a simple call for students to take communion as we ended. Tables were set up around the room, and as students began to go and partake in communion, the Spirit poured out,” he said.

 “For about an hour, we just kept playing songs, completely unplanned, as hundreds of students responded and worshipped the Lord together. It was a beautiful moment. In each and every opportunity that I am given to lead worship, I want people to know Christ and make him known.”