Braden McKinley, his wife, Ashley, and their sons Thatcher, 1, and Grant, 3, have a long trip ahead of them later this spring. They’ll be relocating to Kernersville from Vista, Calif., as he becomes the new contemporary worship leader at Triad Baptist Church.

Triad members overwhelmingly approved McKinley’s hiring in voting March 13-20. He officially joins the staff April 24 as contemporary worship leader for Triad’s 9 a.m. service.

The position at Triad is McKinley’s fourth music ministry position after earning a degree in music and drama in 2008 from the University of California, Irvine.

Since March 2011, he’s served as minister of music and worship at Torrey Pines Christian Church in La Jolla, Calif. Ashley is a speech and language pathologist at an area hospital.

“It goes without saying that we’re incredibly excited to join the Triad family,” McKinley said. “My entire family feels very blessed and the kindness and hospitality we’ve already received from Triad make us feel assured of God’s guidance and goodness to us in this process.

“We’re looking forward to diving in and beginning to build meaningful relationships and live life alongside others in the church and to get to know people well so I can lead well,” he added.

“As far as the contemporary service goes, my first goal is to solidify relationships among the Triad Worship Band and bring a cohesion and connectedness to that ensemble so we can be unified in our hearts for worship and in our purpose to glorify God so we elevate the service and music not just on a musical level but a spiritual level as we worship Jesus Christ together, and lead others in that worship.”

The voting followed a Q&A session with members that closed McKinley’s March 13 visit to the church. Earlier in the day, he led the Triad Worship Band in the 9 a.m. contemporary service, played the offertory and other special music in the 10:30 a.m. traditional worship service, and met with deacons and Executive Leadership Team members.

See also

Worship leader candidate: ‘God must become greater’ (Connections, March 10, 2016)