I’m not your typical applicant. My experience and capabilities have been shaped by time in ministry and a professional career in design. I’m fully confident I have what you’re looking for, otherwise I wouldn’t apply. Furthermore, my professional career is more than an asterisk, it’s an edge. My leadership capabilities, ability to prepare, to speak in front of people, confidence, relatability with people, organization skills, planning and strategy skills have all been shaped by my professional career. I’ve applied each of those to ministry in a useful way.
I’m a bit quirky, some may even say odd. Yet, I’m not childish. I study hard and prioritize excellence. I definitely walk that line. But this goes a long way when working with students. I am 33 years old, married and a father of 5. I love music, technology, reading, sports, hiking, and talking about difficult subjects. But enough about me. Let’s talk about… me. S’more? Nope. Some more.
My involvement in serving in ministry began at a church called Mountain Bible in Payson, AZ in 2003, at the age of 15. While in high-school I was involved in helping with the middle-school youth group, high-school and middle-school music ministries, A/V tech, missions, teaching, discipleship and more. I was mentored by the high-school youth pastor and was taught how to study the Bible, how to teach, and many other things. My walk with Jesus was enriched and a foundation and framework for ministry was established. I took my first semester off of college in order to lead worship and help the youth group go through a pastor transition. Since that time I’ve built upon that foundation by attending Bible College, spending 5 years as a youth leader, 2 years as an associate pastor at a church plant in Tucson and 3 years with another church planter in Chandler. Both with NAMB. I’m also a member of Worship Catalyst as a Worship Team Developer. I spent a year under Austin Ryan, the founder of Worship Catalyst, as a mentee. The purpose was to become proficient in leading worship teams through a discipleship process in order to enrich worship music within local churches. Part of that included training other worship leaders and helping churches develop worship teams. Over the years I’ve helped several churches get off the ground, I’ve been involved in youth ministry, and have lead worship music. I’ve been involved in mission work in Mexico, Ukraine and The Salt River Indian Reservation.
Over the last 10 years, I’ve also maintained a solid career in User Experience Design that has allowed me to learn a lot about people, strategy and leadership while also providing for my family. While this has been great, it has also diminished my role and availability in ministry. I have been part of several ministries but not able to fully invest my time and effort into one. My goal is to become untethered by a career in design so that I can devote more time and attention to ministry. My wife and I would really like to be invested in one place, give our all and not have our efforts in ministry be dictated by some other job.
I hope that the following videos and content will help you know if I am a good fit for your church.
Nate Schloesser
Sermon Samples
I have had the pleasure preaching/teaching many times over the years. I have had the chance to teach roughly once a month for the past few years up until covid came and the church plant I was at closed its doors shortly after. Here are some samples of me teaching. It should help you know my theological stances, style of teaching, personality, etc.
Worship Samples
I started leading worship when I was 17. Over the years I have led worship with large teams, small teams and by myself. I love using worship teams as a place to disciple and help other believers grow. My voice is decent but nothing to write home about. I feel comfortable leading on my own yet I prefer to lead with other vocalists. I play acoustic, mandolin, electric guitar and bass. I attached a few samples of me leading worship. I chose samples where I am either by myself completely or singing by myself. I don’t wish to hide myself behind a band for this process with you.
Starts at 6:25
Starts at 6:20
Capabilities
My capabilities have been shaped through experience in ministry and professional development. I have a wide array of skillsets that are applicable to full-time ministry, especially as a Pastor of Worship and Youth. The following capabilities are measured by my perceived level of expertise and comfort in any one particular area.
Ministry Experience
Leadership
Discipleship & Development
Teaching
Creative & Technology
Music Ministry
Administration
Community Outreach
Special Events
Final Thoughts
When I was 8 years old I remember sitting in church as a girl was being baptized. The life and change she described were intriguing to me and I wanted what she had. It took 7 more years for that change to happen in me but I still remember that day when I was 8. That little girl later became my friend and then a ways down the road she became my wife. Jennifer and I have been together for 15 years, married for 12. We’ve attended Bible College together, served together, grown together, fought for what we believe together, and started a family together. We have 5 children, ages 2-9, 1 boy and 4 girls. Over the years we’ve been involved in many areas of ministry. I’ve specifically spent time serving in youth, missions, church planting, worship music, and discipleship.
Student ministry and worship music are at the core of who God has made me to be. The years leading up to high school were confusing, to say the least. We had Bibles in our house and occasionally went to church. My parents thought of themselves as Christians, but looking back, my parents were prodigal children and where I grew up was very far away from the Father’s house. When I was 15 I was involved in a mess of things, arrested, expelled from school, and hopelessly lost. With no friends, no trust, and a whole lot of loneliness, I felt like I had no future. But one night, a friend invited me to youth group. I don’t remember exactly what the pastor, Donovan, said but I remember understanding who I was and who God was, for the first time in my life. I had to respond. I was a dead, hopeless sinner standing before God pleading with Him to breathe life into me. I acknowledged my sin, repented, and began to follow Him. That response was the beginning of life of daily responses and choices to follow Jesus. I thank God that He provided a guide and fellow followers to walk this journey with me.
Over the next few years Donovan poured into me. My life started to change and it impacted those around me. My parents began attending church services and later began following Jesus. They got involved in mission work and other ministries. My little brother started coming to youth group, began following Jesus, and now he is a missionary. I was discipled and learned about who God is, how to study the Bible, how to teach, and how to lead. I got involved through the worship team, starting with A/V and later through leading worship. I found myself connecting to my Creator through songs of worship in a way that have overshadowed very other connection. I love singing and worshiping Jesus through song I love leading worship and I love making new worship leaders. A healthy youth group and a connection to Jesus through worship music forever changed my life.
I want to be that guide in the lives of young men and women at your church. I want to lead your congregation in worship. I know what kind of impact that these can have and I want to be part of it. God has placed that desire deep inside my heart. I am confident that this is what God has called me to do and pray that His will be done between your church and my family. Regardless of the outcome, I hope and pray you find the perfect person to lead youth and worship at 22nd Street Baptist.