Let me introduce myself, my name is Daniel Elias and I am the Worship Arts Pastor here at Tulare First Baptist. In my ministry position, God has called me to encourage His church in the use of all the arts to bring glory to His name. Our purpose is threefold. First of all, we use the worship arts to minister to the heart of God. God delights in the praises of His people and He alone is the object of our worship. As many writers have suggested, God is the audience. We perform for Him. Secondly, we believe in the use of the arts as a valuable tool to minister to the Body of Christ. And last but definitely not least, the worship arts are powerful evangelism tools used of the Holy Spirit to touch the heart of the unsaved. It is awesome to see how a song, a mime, a work of art is able to reach out to the very core of our person's heart.

I count it a privilege and a joy to lead people into the very presence of God in our weekly worship services along with the worship choir and band. We also offer opportunities for our children and youth to learn how to worship God through their respective choirs and/or ensembles. We value the use of all musical instruments to bring glory to God. From the organ, to the drums, to the brass, even the harmonica and accordion; "let everything that has breath praise the Lord!" We are now in the process of starting up our "D" ministries. That's right, we are talking about our Drama and Dance ministries. God is raising up people with the passion and gifts to start them up and nurture them to be strong tools in the kingdom of God. You will be hearing more about them in the near future. We also continue to develop our technical team (sound, lights, computer, etc.) I love it how technology can enhance the worship of
God.

I have always said, God has called me to build up, by His grace and strength, a "Worshipping Church." Not a program, but a group of people who love God and want to express through the arts their adoration to Him! I love these lines from the song Come Now Is the Time to Worship, "One day every tongue will confess You are God. One day every knee will bow. Still the greatest treasure remains for those who gladly choose You now." What a privilege we, God's children, have to praise God NOW! This is just a rehearsal for that eternal time in heaven when we will praise the Lord forever. Come, join us as we "praise the Lord for great things He has done!"

Because of His love,
Pastor Daniel

Daniel grew up in a musical family where he sang and played his violin/viola since the early age of 2.5. God later opened opportunities to come to the U.S.A. to study at Biola University where he graduated with a B.M. in Viola Performance and a Minor in Bible. He later finished his Master of Music degree at CSU at Fullerton in Choral Conducting. He was ordained to the ministry in the summer of 2000. Daniel is happily married to Christine, his college sweetheart, friend and partner in ministry, for the past 14 years.

Email Daniel at music@tularefbc.org
or call him at 559-686-0004