SMCC announces new Director of Contemporary Worship

SMCC welcomes Chad Reisser as our new Director of Contemporary Worship.

Chad will lead us in Contemporary Worship beginning Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 10:15 A.M. in Fellowship Hall.

From The Evaluating Committee

The Evaluating Committee first met in early November, reviewing applications and sharing multiple conversations about the past experiences and future direction of the Contemporary Service. Chad's undeniable talent and experience stood out early in a very strong pool of candidates, as did his humor, personal candor, and life-long, resilient faith. We are excited to come alongside Chad in his leadership, and are equally as eager to welcome his wife Erica and their children Ella, Zion, Phoenix, and Theodosia as valuable members of our shared community of faith!

Evaluating Committee Members: Ai Leng Kuan, Aisha Chen, Andrea Chiu Le, Chris Dumont, Marloe Vaughan Lower, and Scott Delahooke, with support from Rev. Jessica Vaughan Lower, Director of Digital Ministries Jonas Sheeks, and Director of Traditional Worship Dr. Peter Green.

About Chad

Chad Reisser was raised in a musical family and a church that loved the arts, so music intertwined with his spiritual life and personal identity from an early age.

Chad has been fortunate to be featured as a soloist and ensemble singer on dozens of film / TV projects like Sing, Peter Rabbit, Spiderman: No Way Home, Disney’s Wish, La-La Land, and with recording ensembles for artists like Neil Young, Don Henley, and Richard Carpenter.

As a composer and producer, he has worked with corporate, media, and non-profit clients to create the right sonic landscape for any given project. Chad has composed music for film and TV trailers with BMG, as well as independent film scores. He is currently an active and prolific contributor to Encircled Music, aiming to be the premiere online worldwide platform for Christian mood music, prayers, and devotionals.

Having led worship for more than 3,000 services over the last 25+ years. It is his deep desire that all who gather to offer their praise and worship to God be led gently into harmonized, sacred space.

Chad is married to Erica, and loves making music with his family. Ella is 22 and a 4th grade teacher at Oaks Christian School. Zion is 20 and an aerospace engineering student at SDSU. Phoenix is 14 and obsessed with music. Theodosia is 6 and always full of surprises. In his free time, Chad loves dark roast coffee, hiking trails, chilling at the beach, great movies and TV shows, and dreaming about the Porsche 911 he will likely never possess.

A Note from Chad

"The story of what drew me to SMCC can’t be told with just a few words. For the sake of brevity, I will just say that everyone I’ve gotten to know in this process — from Jessica and Jonas, to the search committee, to the band members and the congregation — has been warm, thoughtful, curious, and open.

SMCC strikes me as a place where I can be deeply in love with Christ, actively seeking the kingdom, yet also allowed to be fully human. This has already nourished and refreshed my soul. I look forward to getting to know this church, finding my way as a leader, and contributing from my own well of resources.

Psalm 133 best helps me express my heart to all of you. 'How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!' May our times of worship indeed be good and pleasant, unified, and rich with God’s presence."

- Chad Reisser