GOD MAKES SOME OF THE MOST
BEAUTIFUL MUSIC ON BROKEN KEYS
EDUCATION
Azusa Pacific University — B.S. in Organizational Leadership
Relevant Coursework:
Oratorio Choir, Vocal Lessons, Jazz Piano, Male Chorale, Recital, Music Theory I & II, Music Fundamentals, Introduction to Biblical Literature, Public Communication, Dynamics of Group Behavior, Research Methodology, Organizational Analysis, The Bible and Business Ethics, Managerial Communication, Cultural Influences in the Workplace
Pasadena City College — Studies in Music
Relevant Coursework:
Classical Guitar, Guitar Techniques, Concert Choir, Concert Music, Harmony, Musicianship, Keyboard Skills, Piano Lessons
QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS
- Over 30 years of experience in worship ministry, leading worship teams with full bands, choirs, and integrated tech teams across 10 different churches.
- Ordained minister through Church On The Rock International.
- Author of "In Harmony", a devotional book, and many ministry-related articles and policy and procedural materials.
- Served as the sole pastor on staff for a year following the retirement of a Senior Pastor, overseeing worship and pastoral responsibilities.
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University.
- Partnered with Senior Pastors to craft worship experiences that are spiritually grounded, culturally sensitive, and unifying for diverse congregations.
- Skilled vocalist, keyboardist, conductor, and AV technician, with extensive hands-on experience in both live and recorded worship settings.
- Successfully designed and managed church construction and renovation projects, including state-of-the-art sound booths, platforms, nurseries, cry rooms, and security systems.
- Proficient in media and technology, including worship presentation software (e.g., ProPresenter, MediaShout), web design, graphic/video editing, sound system design, and church technology integration.
- Strong team builder with a track record of developing trust and mentoring worship volunteers and staff, improving overall quality, confidence, and unity within ministry teams.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Worship Pastor
Grace Fellowship Church – Jackson, CA
2021–Present
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Lead worship services, coordinate tech teams, and mentor musicians in a multigenerational congregation.
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Partner with pastoral staff to create engaging and Spirit-led services.
- Organize and lead multiple city-wide worship events that unite churches and ministries across the community.
Worship Pastor / Choir Director / Web Administrator
East Hills Community Church – Oakland Hills, CA
2012–2021
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Directed worship and choir ministries, oversaw tech and AV teams, and managed the church website and digital media.
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Helped transition services through online/hybrid formats during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interim Worship Leader
First Baptist Church – Watsonville, CA
2011–2012
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Provided interim leadership for Sunday worship services and seasonal events.
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Recruited and coached musicians during a time of transition.
Interim Worship Leader / Web Developer
New Life Community Church – Prunedale, CA
2011–2014
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Led worship on rotation while developing and maintaining the church’s website and multimedia platforms.
Worship & Choir Member
First Presbyterian Church – Hollister, CA
2011
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Served as a volunteer vocalist and instrumentalist while contributing to seasonal performances.
Worship Pastor / Administrative Pastor / Web Administrator
Hillside Church – Antioch, CA
2006–2011
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Oversaw worship ministry, staff coordination, and internal communications.
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Directed a large volunteer base and implemented major facility upgrades.
Ordained Worship Pastor / Choir Director / Television Producer
Mountain View Christian Center – Brentwood, CA
2004–2006
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Led worship and choir ministries; produced weekly televised worship services.
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Served in an ordained pastoral capacity supporting church-wide functions.
Worship Leader / Visitation Pastor / Organist / Choir Accompanist
Antioch United Methodist Church on the Rock – Antioch, CA
2001–2004
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Provided worship leadership, pastoral care, and musical support through piano, organ, and accompaniment.
Interim Worship Leader
Foothills Community Church – Pasadena, CA
1996–1999
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Led worship services while studying at Azusa Pacific University.
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Supported small group leadership and youth worship events.
Worship Leader / Youth Group Leader
Agape Christian Church – Pasadena, CA
1994–2001
- Began ministry career by leading youth and adult worship services, mentoring teens, and developing creative outreach programs.
RELATED SKILLS
- Primary Instruments: Piano/Keyboards and Voice | Secondary Instrument: Guitar
- Versatile in a wide range of musical styles—from modern worship and contemporary Christian to traditional hymns and classic praise songs
- Skilled performer in both group settings and solo contexts for worship services, weddings, special events, and community gatherings
- Experienced piano and guitar instructor
- Proficient in web programming, content management, and digital media
- Author of "In Harmony", a devotional book, and many ministry-related articles and policy and procedural materials.
- Composer, arranger, and transcriber of original and adapted worship music
- Proven ministry leader, shepherding multiple worship teams and volunteers
- Strong trainer and mentor for both small and large ensembles of musicians and vocalists
- Experienced in coordinating and executing church construction and renovation projects, including sound systems and worship spaces
- Knowledgeable in current worship leading tools, software, and technology
- Reliable, adaptable, and highly organized, with strong leadership and multitasking abilities
PERSONAL STRENGTHS
- Team Builder & Developer – Skilled at fostering unity, growth, and trust within worship teams and staff
- Flexible & Adaptable – Able to navigate change and serve in diverse church environments and worship cultures
- Integrity-Driven – Committed to honesty, accountability, and Christlike leadership
- Rooted in Faith – Grounded in a strong, personal relationship with Jesus and a deep love for Scripture
- Lead-by-Example Leadership – Servant-hearted with a genuine desire to model humility and faithfulness
- Passionate & Purposeful – Energized by the call to lead worship and equip others while drawing people closer to the Father
- Encourager & Shepherd – Known for building others up and caring for them pastorally
- Humble & Teachable – Always growing, open to feedback, and eager to learn
- Worshiper at Heart – Leads from an overflow of personal worship, not performance
- Pastoral Presence – Approaches ministry with the heart of a pastor, not just a platform leader
- Self-Starter & Visionary – Proactive, disciplined, and motivated by mission
- Congregational Sensitivity – Intuitive and responsive to the spiritual and emotional needs of the people
- Healthy Family Life – Strong commitment to family as a model of stability and spiritual leadership
SAMPLE OF MINISTRY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Creative & Technical Contributions
- Designed worship support tools, including service plans, prayer cards, service evaluations, special event forms, and sound setup charts.
- Founded and developed www.RockinWorship.com, a resource hub for worship leaders and churches, and created the social network EverybodyPraiseHim.ning.com (now archived).
- Built and managed church websites, including:
- Networked multiple churches and maintained ministry infrastructure, supporting collaboration and operational stability across multiple congregations.
- Maintained and utilized various church tech platforms: Planning Center, Youtube, Internet Buisness Profiles, Music Recording Software, TruthCasting, Sharefaith, SongSelect, MyChurchEvents, Instant Church Directory, Constant Contact, Presentation Sofware, AI Leveraging, Social Media Networks and many many more.
- Researched, purchased, and implemented church tech systems, including a full CD/DVD duplication ministries and internet archival technologies.
Ministry Leadership & Oversight
- Created policy & procedures manuals for over 10 ministries, including Worship, A/V, Children’s, Choral, Hospital Visitation, and Television Ministries, Day Care Policy
- Founded and supervised new ministry roles such as Worship Administrator, Musicians’ Fellowship Coordinator, Worship Leader Assistants, and more.
- Led and oversaw a wide range of ministries, including:
Children’s Ministry · Women’s Ministry · Youth Ministry · Welcome/Usher Ministries · Hospital & Homebound Care · Television Ministry · City Ministerial Fellowship · Photographers/Video Ministry · Discipleship · Karate Ministry · Senior Ministry · Security Ministry - Directed an annual Worship Conference for 8th-grade students, encouraging youth engagement in worship ministry.
Events & Public Engagement
- Produced and broadcasted a weekly television program, reaching 27 cities and an estimated audience of 1.5 million.
- Organized and led the team that launched Amador Christian Playschool, turning the original idea into a reality through a year of focused coordination.
- Led community carols and served as narrator for Sutter Creek’s Las Posadas city-wide Christmas presentation, contributing to the music and storytelling of this cherished annual event.
- Served as MC and Sound Technician for the West Coast’s largest Easter Egg Hunt—25,000 attendees and 150,000 eggs.
- Led city-wide caroling down Main Street
- MC and performer for Intergfaith Food Bank's Festival of Carols
- Conducted Choir for the Amador Mining Centennial celebration
- Planned and led a Spaghetti Feed & Pie Auction, raising $4,600 to purchase custom choir robes in full.
- Wrote articles for church newsletters and The Good News Newspaper (distribution: 300,000+ homes).
- Performed and represented ministry at high-profile events such as:
- The City of Antioch Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast (twice)
- Contra Costa Ministerial Fellowship (performer, director, sound tech)
- Bethesda Retirement Center
- Amador Residential Retirement Center
- Ordained Worship Pastor through Church On The Rock International.
- Contributed to the launch of Mountain View Christian Center’s K–12 Christian School
ADDITIONAL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE
- Guest Performer at retirement centers (2015–present)
- Annual Worship Conference Leader for Jr. High/High School students (2015–present)
- Interim Worship Leader & Ministry Consultant for various churches (2010–2012)
- Sound Analyzer & Technician for churches and schools (2007–2010)
- Musical Coordinator & Director, Broadway Heat musical revue (2009)
- Worship Conference Coordinator (2008–2009)
- Special Events Choral Coordinator (2007–2009)
- Music Coordinator, Sound Tech, Guest Performer – Contra Costa County Ministers Conference (2004–2006)
- Guest Performer & Sound Tech – Antioch Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast (2004–2005)
- Private Piano & Guitar Instructor (1998–2005)
- Male Chorale Member, Azusa Pacific University (1994–1996, including two summer tours)
Theatrical & Choral Highlights
- Lead roles in:
- Tony – West Side Story (1992)
- Judge Danforth – The Crucible (1991)
- Leroy Johnson – Fame (1991)
- Oedipus Tex – Oedipus Tex and Other Choral Calamities by P.D.Q. Bach (1991)
- Albert Peterson – Bye Bye Birdie (1989)
- Performer – 100th Anniversary of Carnegie Hall & 200th Anniversary of Mozart’s Death (1991)
- Santa Cruz High School Chamber Singers (1991–1992)
- Lead Vocalist/Keyboardist – Local band (1990–1994)
- Youngest Member, Santa Cruz Choral (1986–1992)
- Disc Jockey, Scotts Valley Sports Center (1986–1991)
- San Lorenzo Valley HS Choir & Marching Band (1988–1989)
- Baymonte Christian School Choir & Jazz Band (1983–1987)
- Jonah – Jonah and the Whale (1983), Wiseman – The Drum (1983)
- Founded Special Music Ministry at age 8 (1982)
- Saxophonist – High School Marching Band (1984–1990)
- Private Classical Piano Lessons (1980–1994)
AWARDS AND HONORS
Honors
- Dedicated Service, Contra Costa Ministers Conference
- Recognition of Service – Honored by multiple churches and organizations for leadership in worship, tech, and event ministry
Vocal Performance
- 1st Place, Scotts Valley Exchange Club Search for Talent (1991)
- 3rd Place, CA/NV District Exchange Club Talent Finals – Santa Clara (1991)
- 3rd Place, CA/NV District Exchange Club Talent Finals – Irvine (1989)
- 1st Place, Local Exchange Club Talent Competitions – Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Felton (1989)
- 1st Place, Seaside Talent Competition (1988)
Piano Performance
- Sight-read and performed selections from Les Misérables (2004)
- Selected for auditions performance class, Marriott’s Great America by Kings Productions (1991)
- 1st Place Scholarship Winner, Music Teachers Association of California (1986–1988)
- Awarded Music Scholarship, Music Teachers of California (1987)
- Participated in Master Piano Classes (1988–1989)
Speech & Communication
- 1st & 2nd Place, ACSI Speech Meets (Association of Christian Schools International) — 9 consecutive years (1981–1990)
PASTOR TESTIMONIALS
“I’ve been in ministry for over 40 years, and Jonathan is the best worship leader I’ve ever worked with.”
— Senior Pastor
“He did so much around here that we wouldn’t have been able to afford him.”
— Senior Pastor “Jonathan is a gold mine of talent.”
— Senior Pastor “Out of all the people I’ve seen go, only two I ever wished would come back—Jonathan is one of them.”
— Senior Pastor “Jonathan is the real deal.”
— Senior Pastor “He contributed so much here, we kept having to add to his job title.”
— Senior Pastor “Will there ever be another Jonathan Casas?”
— Senior Pastor “When Jonathan was here, he made everything better.”
— Senior Pastor “Jonathan endeared himself to our congregation—people trust him.”
— Senior Pastor “Jonathan helped us through difficult transitions. Without him, our worship team might have fallen apart.”
— Senior Pastor “Jonathan is so talented, I’m convinced he could work at any church of any size.”
— Senior Pastor “Jonathan is a 1000-percenter.”
— Senior Pastor
“It’s a testament to Jonathan’s leadership that when he moved on, the worship team could continue indefinitely without a new leader.”
— Senior Pastor "He has the goods"
— Senior Pastor "I appreciate your authcentity, when moving through diffulct times, I can see your heart and your abilities to consitantly show up."
— Senior Pastor
