Ruben is a San Diego native who grew up engulfed in all things music. He had been told multiple times that he would be a pastor one day. He did not believe that would actually happen in his life, but many years later, he is now the Worship Pastor at Rock Church City Heights. I sat down with him to get to know him and his heart for worship. (Though I pretty much already knew all of this since I’m married to him! )
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When did you originally start getting involved with music/singing?
Since I was a kid, at the age of 3. My mom used to set out pots and pans and I would bang on them like drums.
How many instruments can you play?
Five. The drums, guitar, bass, piano, and trumpet. But six if you count vocals as an instrument.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m number 6 of 7 kids in a musically inclined family where we all sang together. Music runs deep in our family. I like to bargain hunt. I also love racquetball, even though I haven’t played in quite a few years. And I really love spending time with my wife and kids.
How long have you been married? How old are your children?
We’ve been happily married for five years; it’ll be six years on December 30th. We have two kids. Malakai who is 4 and Ariana who is 2. Malakai is a mama’s boy and Ariana is a typical daddy’s girl. She’s my little princess.
How long have you been leading worship at Rock Church?
I started leading as a drummer in 2005. Then was called by God to lead via vocals in about nine years ago. I was given the opportunity to be the Worship Director at the (then) North County campus in 2013 and then became the Worship Pastor at City Heights in 2015.
Why do you feel called to lead worship?
Because God spoke (haha). No, but really, God not only gave me the talent and the ability to do so, but the heart to want to usher people into God’s presence and teach them what it is to worship Him in Spirit and in truth.
What is worship to you?
Worship to me is my response to who God is and what He has done. My response in everything I do is worship, whether it’s through singing, giving, or living for Him. I live to worship.
Why are you excited about our global nights of worship?
There are many reasons why. For one, it brings all of the campuses at Rock Church together in unity. And because of this event, we’ve been able to reach out to other churches and invite them to be a part of it. So, all in all, it’s a small little taste of what heaven is going to be like, with the body of Christ united as one, all worshiping the Lord.
Morning or Night person?
Both. But my wife would say I’m a night person.
Sweet or spicy?
Both. And sometimes together. My favorite candy is Pulparindo.
You have a Sunday off, what do you do?
Make it a family day. Where we attend church service as a family and then spend time together.
Ocean or mountains?
Both, but if I have to lean more toward one it would have to be the beach. It’s like a 60/40. Ha. But I guess that’s why I love Hawaii because you can be at the beach and the mountains in a matter of minutes.
Somehow you know it’s your last meal (not in a morbid way!). Who would be there, what would you eat, and where would you be?
My wife and two kids. Wow, that’s a tough one because I like all KINDS of food. But if I have to narrow it down to one thing, I would choose Mexican food, with lots of guacamole. And we would be on a secluded beach in Hawaii.
