Worship Leader, Songwriter,
Career, Ministry, and Life Coach
from the Northwest
Martin is from the Lower Valley Yakima, WA., which is known for its wonderful harvest of cherries, apples, and hops. There along with his siblings grew up in a Christian household with two incredible parents who introduced them to the story of God. From a very young age, Martin has always felt a strong connection to music, from singing special songs at church, entering high school talent competitions, and being inspired by Christian artists like Steven Curtis Chapman and Spanish worship leaders like Marcos Witt. God's calling to lead worship found him at the age of fourteen during an afternoon church service when he was asked and encouraged at the last minute to stand in for the church's worship leader for a service or two. This was the beginning of his journey into the worship ministry. Since then, he has never looked back.
"Being asked to lead worship, was no accident, it was very much God's plan from the get go."
As Martin began embracing this new calling, along the way, he began feeling unfulfilled, uninspired, and unprepared as a musician and as a worship leader. He started asking questions, like, is there more to this leading worship? Is there a school out there that could provide him some foundation and direction as a young worship leader. Soon, his questions, his passion, and desire to become a more effective worship leader would take him on a journey to exploring the theology of worship, the practice of worship leading, and the journey of spiritual formation. By God's grace, Martin has had the opportunity to walk alongside more experienced worship leaders, teachers, and scholars from schools, like Christ for the Nations Institute, Dallas Baptist University and currently finishing his certificate in Transformational Coaching at Western Seminary in Portland, OR., And after a seven year break from the Academic life, Martin is looking forward to continuing his training at Portland Seminary and re-enrolling into their Spiritual Formation & Spiritual Direction program.
Over the span of twenty two years, the ministry of leading worship has open doors to helping new church plants, to established English and Spanish churches here in America like in Yakima, WA., Dallas TX., Virginia Beach, VA., Portland, OR, and churches in other parts of the countries like Latin America in the city of Santiago de Queretaro, MX. He has also led worship for CFNI Chapels, outreach venues, Spanish Youth events, and Intervarsity youth camps. Previously a member of the leadership team at Access Covenant Church in SE Portland, OR. Today, based in Happy Valley, OR., the Torres family currently attends New Hope Church where Martin serves on the worship team.
"His Calling is Worship...His Passion is Music...His Heart is Ministry..."
|
Since 2010, Martin and his wife Vashti have made their home in the Northwest in Portland, OR., with their dapple dachshund "Papi".
In 2015, Martin launched Leading Worship Together. An online ministry that exists to help under-resourced worship leaders fulfill their calling with confidence. Learn more about it above. In 2017, Martin launched Coaching Arrows. Learn more about it above. |
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
"It is a pleasure to refer to the person of my beloved brother Martin. We have ministered together and I consider him to be a worshiper and a man of God. He has the stamp of excellence for this time."
Miguel Huerta | Pastor de Iglesia ELIM | Dallas, TX
