Ministry

The short version

Faith is the through-line of my work and my life. I presently lead worship at Family Church Van Alstyne in North Texas alongside my wife Ashley — writing, arranging, and playing songs that magnify the name of Jesus as we encourage the Church to engage in genuine, Spirit-led worship.

I specialize in building teams (both paid and voluntary) that support the needs of the ministry and the vision of church leadership, as well as modernizing technology, ensuring service plan efficiency and fluidity, and elevating content and presentment to make the most of every opportunity for the Church to worship in both spirit and truth. This, of course, includes Biblical stewardship of time, talent and resources, while supporting the vision and mission of the church leadership.

Résumé Download Below ↓

Current ministry focus

• Leading worship at Family Church Van Alstyne — weekly services, seasonal gatherings, and special events.
• Writing, recording and publicizing original, Christ-centered songs under my own independent label, Manfishers Publishing, our BMI-affiliated publishing house. Song materials are made available free of charge to other churches and ministries.
• Serving as guest worship leader across North Texas and occasionally further afield, for conferences, camps, youth events, and other special occasions.

Ministry approach

I lead like I live — with transparency and sincerity, rooted in the Word, and with a passion for serving as the “lead worshipper.” I take the time to explain the meaning behind the music where called for, particularly when context or the writer’s artistic expressions are not clear to all. Whether leading contemporary styles with full, modern instrumentation and visuals, or incorporating occasional classic hymns, I articulate clearly that our collective focus is on Jesus alone. I am not trying to impress anyone but Him, and I rarely incorporate “performance pieces” over songs of corporate, participatory worship.

Credentials & background

• Licensed minister since 2020
• Liberty University — B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies (Biblical Studies, Criminal Justice & Natural Sciences), graduated June 2015
• Veteran — U.S. Air Force and Texas State Guard (Army)
• Information Technology professional — twenty-five-plus years in enterprise infrastructure, applied to worship A/V, livestreaming, and church-tech direction
• Published recording artist — Southern Gospel and CCM, BMI-registered through Manfishers Publishing
• Married, father of two adult children

Where I’ve served

Worship Minister, 2017–Present

Family Church, Van Alstyne, Texas (June 2025–Present)

• Serving as founding worship minister for a greenfield church plant.
• Building all facets of the worship ministry from scratch — technical teams, band, service designs, and song catalog.
• Establishing audio, lighting, projection, and livestream infrastructure for the plant phase.

Preston Ridge Baptist Church, Frisco, Texas (June 2024–December 2024)

• Served as Interim Worship Minister, leading weekly contemporary worship services.
• Supported the transition team through the church’s pastoral search and handoff.
• Coordinated instrumentalists, vocalists, and A/V volunteers each week.
• Designed and implemented the livestream platform (prior to joining as interim, during pandemic).

Rock City Fellowship, Midlothian, Texas (2022–2023)

• Planned, scheduled, and led weekly contemporary worship services and special events.
• Managed team of paid and volunteer instrumentalists and technical staff (audio, lighting, content projection, live-streaming).
• Introduced Behringer Wing sound console to upgrade from X32, plus LiveMix IEM solution over Dante.

Crosspoint Community Church, La Grange, Texas (2020–2022)

• Led, planned, and scheduled weekly contemporary worship services and special events.
• Managed team of paid and volunteer instrumentalists and technical staff (audio, lighting, content projection, live-streaming).
• Focused heavily on improving livestream production quality.

(Resigned in April 2022 due to inability to relocate.)

Waddill Street Baptist Church, McKinney, Texas (2017–2020)

• Led, planned, and scheduled weekly contemporary worship services and special events via Planning Center.
• Built and managed team of paid and volunteer instrumentalists and technical staff (audio, lighting, content projection).
• Established volunteer-friendly, live-streaming platform incorporating multiple cameras, ProPresenter content, and animated lower thirds (two years before the pandemic).
• Overhauled all aspects of live sound production and stage design, décor and lighting, including use of click tracks and stems with in-ear monitoring.

(Resigned in July 2020 to focus on family needs.)

Volunteer Service

Texas Mosaix, North Texas area (2010–Present)

• Founding member and current Advisory Board member of a non-profit variety / cover band.
• Serve as Lead Vocalist across the band’s repertoire.
• Use music as a ministry-enabler for missions and fundraising support — domestic and international missionary projects.

Crossroads Cowboy Church, McKinney, Texas (2015–2016)

• Worship leader & technical arts director for church plant, meeting Sunday evenings.

First McKinney, McKinney, Texas (2007–2018)

• Worship leadership & choir membership.
• Ordained deacon.
• Security team.
• Life Group teacher (adult, married).
• Various local and foreign mission teams.

Briarwood Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee (2001–2005)

• Interim worship leader.
• Teacher (various).
• Mission team leader.

Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee (1994–2001)

• Evangelism Explosion trainer.
• Prison ministry leader.
• Worship choir (section leader).
• Cast and solo/ensemble member for special productions and events (Memphis Passion Play, Steve Green concert, etc.).
• Numerous international missions projects.
• Life group leadership & teaching.

Military Service

Texas State Guard, Army (2013–2019; 2025–Present)

• State Defense Force, comprised of volunteer servicemembers with a Civil Affairs mission.
• Staff Sergeant (E-6): NCOIC Regimental Training & Operations; NCOIC Brigade Operations & Civilian Coordination.
• Sr. Military Emergency Management Specialist certification.
• Meritorious Service Award recipient.

United States Air Force (1991–1992)

• Security Police/Security Forces (Law Enforcement Specialist).
• Air Base Ground Defense School Honor Graduate.
• National Defense Service Ribbon recipient (Operation Desert Storm).

For inquiries and information about our music, visit our official website at nickandashleysanders.com — the full catalog, live video, upcoming events, and booking inquiries all live there.