"We are excited to have Jeff lead our Contemporary Worship service," said Dr. Gary Singleton, senior pastor at The Heights. "Jeff brings a high level of enthusiasm and experience to the position.
More importantly, he has a real heart for contemporary worship.
We are still searching for a full-time worship minister to lead the Blended Worship service at 9:15 a.m. with the choir and full orchestra.
Each service will be led by an individual who is passionate about that specific style of worship.
From a musical perspective, we're spanning several generations. We're very blessed to have Jeff lead our Contemporary Service."
Berry will be joined at The Heights by his band members, many of whom have North Texas roots. The Jeff Berry Band includes Jeff on keyboards and vocals; Taylor Manning (Allen) on sound; Wes Martin (Wylie) guitar; Shawn Davis (McKinney) bass guitar; David Trevey (Snyder) drums; Jeff Giddens (Nashville, Tennessee) guitar; and Steve Miller (Denton) guitar. The Jeff Berry Band has recorded five albums under the CrossWind label, including "Live at Grace," and "Declaration." The band is currently working on a new album that will be released next summer. Jeff Berry, his wife Anna, and their seven-year-old son Jake will be moving to the Dallas area in January.
"Certainly, this model of a worship leader for each of the two different
services is an incredible opportunity," continues Berry. "It encourages
individuals to use their gifts where they are most effective. While I enjoy the 'blended' style of worship (it's the style I grew up with) - it isn't in my natural giftedness to lead in that area. This arrangement allows me to lead where my gifts are, and for another person to use their gifts as well. I'm thankful for a visionary church that isn't afraid to push the boundaries and try new ideas."
Born in Abilene, Texas, Berry received a bachelors degree in business
administration at Hardin-Simmons in 1986. He went on to earn an MBA from Baylor University in Waco where he taught international economics for four years. But he found his calling in the student music ministry. In 1994 he helped launch Grace Bible Study in Abilene, a non-denominational Bible study for college students. It has grown to averaging 1,000 students weekly.
In 1995, Berry founded CrossWind Ministries; a multifaceted ministry
organization comprised of Jeff Berry Worship Ministry, Curiously Strong Music Publishing, Stonewater Sound production, Green Room Studios, and Reality Weekends, an intensive discipleship weekend for youth. Berry will continue CrossWind Ministries, including leading a trip to Turkey next May. More information on Jeff Berry and CrossWind Ministries is available at http://www.crosswindministries.org/
Founded in 1956, the Heights Baptist Church is located at West Renner Road and Central Expressway in Richardson. This past year, the church completed a new 2500-seat worship center, a two-story Children's Building, and a Prayer
Garden.
More information about The Heights is available at http://www.theheights.org/
