We recently connected with Joe Garza and have shared our conversation below.

Joe, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

1. I really learned the ropes of leading a successful worship and songwriting ministry through what I like to call the “trial by fire method.” I can’t say it’s for everyone, but it definitely taught me a lot! I jumped at every opportunity to lead worship, eager to gain experience and connect with people who could share their insights.

When I took on my first role leading a worship ministry about six years ago, I quickly realized I was learning what worked and what didn’t just by observing. I watched what others did well and noted what I’d do differently, which might sound a bit bold, but it really helped me figure out my own style.

I have to say, my failures ended up being more valuable than any of my successes. I learned way more from those missteps—what to avoid and how they could cost me. So now, I say lean into those failures! They often hold the best lessons.

2. Since I got into ministry pretty early, I’m not sure I would have wanted to speed up the process even more; it probably wouldn’t have been the best choice for me. I usually don’t recommend jumping in at a young age, but for me, it was just part of my journey.

If you’re thinking about diving in early like I did, or really at any age, I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to find a great mentor. That made a huge difference for me throughout my ministry career. I’ve had the same mentor since my youth ministry days, and I still reach out to him from time to time. I know I can trust him to give me honest feedback. Having that kind of relationship can really help you grow and steer clear of a lot of mistakes and setbacks.

3. I think one of the most important skills in ministry is learning how to handle conflict. Navigating conflict is vital in any leadership role, and it’s especially true in songwriting. When you’re in a songwriting room, people are being really vulnerable and putting their hearts on the line, which can lead to some intense moments. There are so many emotions involved in the creative process, so being able to approach those feelings with compassion and honesty is crucial.

In worship ministry, there’s definitely a unique skill set that comes into play, and it shows every Sunday. Sometimes, that means having to have tough conversations in the process. If you can’t navigate those discussions well and focus more on the person than the conflict itself, it can really hurt both sides. So, handling conflict in a healthy way is absolutely essential!

4. I think the biggest obstacle I face is probably the same one most people do: time. There never seems to be enough of it to juggle everything we want, need, and love to do. I’ve had to learn how to make the most of my time, and on the days when I really nail that, I feel like I make significant progress. It’s all about figuring out how to make time work for you instead of just feeling like you’re racing against the clock.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

1. Absolutely! I grew up in Houston, TX, and my love for worship music started early because my dad was a drummer in a worship band. I’d tag along with him to different churches and watch him play, which really sparked my passion for music.

In high school, I got involved with the worship team at my local church and later pursued a degree in music. As I was finishing up my studies, my youth pastor offered me a worship internship. It was an incredible opportunity to explore whether this was the path God was leading me toward and to seek affirmation from people I truly respected.

I quickly learned how tough ministry can be, especially when it comes to breaking into worship. After touring for a while and leading worship at different churches, I finally secured a consistent role, which eventually led me into full-time ministry. A lot of it was about being persistent and making the most of my time outside a 9-to-5 job—equipping myself with knowledge, networking, and connecting with others who genuinely interested me.

I also dove into songwriting circles, even though I knew I didn’t have as much experience. I approached it with an open mind, ready to soak up everything I could. There’s that saying about never being the smartest person in the room, and I think it rings true for everything. Surround yourself with people who are better than you, and you’ll keep growing!

2. When it comes to services, my main goal is to equip local church worship leaders to take things to the next level. It’s not about saying what they’re doing isn’t already valuable; it’s about believing that God wants us to grow in our craft, and that honors Him.

I want to support worship leaders who are eager to develop their teams and build deeper connections, both with their volunteers and within their church community. Many of them have songs that reflect the seasons their church is experiencing, and I’m passionate about helping them bring those songs to life.

The aim isn’t just to do this work, but to do it really well so that it becomes a natural part of their church culture. I get how precious time is in ministry—especially when you might only see your volunteers once a week. That’s why I want to help them make the most of that time and elevate their efforts to truly bless their church community. It’s all about helping them scale what they’re doing and increase their impact!

3. What really sets me apart is that I’ve been in their shoes. I didn’t just walk into a mega church right away; it took a lot of hard work, dedication, and some serious blood, sweat, and tears to get where I am. I’ve learned so much along the way, and I’ve been fortunate to have some incredible experiences. Now, I want to pass that blessing along to others.

I also have a deep love for both the local church and the global church. I believe that when we grow as local church worship leaders, we strengthen the entire global church. It’s all about breaking down barriers and connecting with other communities of faith.

At the end of the day, I see myself more as a pastor than a businessman. Building meaningful relationships is what drives me, and I’m here to support others, not just charge them for a service.

4. What I’m most proud of is being genuine. I want people to see that what you see is what you get. Authenticity is super important to me, and I want my brand to reflect that.

I also take pride in the songs I’ve helped write and produce. They come straight from the heart, not something I’ve manufactured to chase streams or followers. I really believe that the most impactful work we can do for the kingdom of heaven comes from a place of authenticity.

When I think about how I want to be remembered, I hope people say, “I know I can call Joe, and he’ll be there for me.” I want to be someone they can rely on for support and connections. If someone feels like I’m truly in their corner, that would mean the world to me.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The vision statement at Luminate House, the company I launched this year, really shapes a lot of what I do, especially in my creative projects. It’s based on God’s word, specifically Daniel 2:22, and it’s all about bringing light to the community by spreading the gospel through worship, creativity, and conversation. Everything I work on—whether it’s social media, songwriting, or worship leading—filters through that mission and those values. I always strive to honor that purpose in everything I create.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Back in 2020, when everything shut down and negativity filled social media due to the pandemic, I found myself having some really special worship moments in my apartment. It felt like God was doing something unique, and it encouraged me to share those moments. I thought, “Maybe these can bring a little light to someone’s day,” especially during such dark times.

I shared these moments on social media without worrying about how many views or followers I had. I just wanted to help people connect with God. Over time, it really caught on! People were getting blessed and encouraged by those videos, experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in a way that brightened their days.

I’ve learned that people are drawn to content that adds value to their lives rather than stuff that feels like a pitch. I aimed to offer something they could take away freely, and it just took off from there. Worship is a passion for me, and I loved sharing that joy.

So, my advice? Follow your passion! When you do what you love, people will notice your enthusiasm and the heart behind your content. Consistency is crucial—keep showing up and being dedicated. People will start to expect and crave what you’re sharing. The more you express your passion, the more it resonates with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://luminate.house
• Instagram: @joegarzamusic
• Facebook: https://bit.ly/TheLuminateHouseFB
• Linkedin: https://bit.ly/Joegarzalinkedin
• Youtube: https://bit.ly/Theluminatehousechannel
• Other: Spotify:
  https://spoti.fi/3A5dgP6

Image Credits

(Photo #4)
Javier Herrera
https://www.javierherreraphotography.com/