running the sound board for our worship band and one day, the youth minister and band leader asked me to lead a song and I haven’t stopped singing since. During my four years of undergrad, I was a Campus Ministry Intern at UIW in San Antonio. I led worship for many ministries/events there and co-founded a new Catholic ministry called Breathe that is still thriving today. Also during those four years, I joined and led the worship band for Tongues of Fire Ministries. We led worship multiple times a week at schools, parishes, retreat centers and even had the opportunity to worship the Lord with 1000-1500 every Spring at the Youth Explosion conference in San Antonio.

Over the past two years, I have been in my hometown of Lake Jackson, TX in Southern Brazoria County as the Coordinator of High School Youth Ministry at St. Michael’s Parish and the Music Director at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Freeport. This was a great opportunity to grow in the gifts God has given me in music, teaching, discipleship and more! For more info, please check out my personal website at www.fortecatholic.com.

Passions & Interests: I am madly in love with my precious wife of three years, Samantha. We have two beautiful children named Christopher(2) and Magdalen(5 months). I love ministry, learning, podcasts(especially the Catholic Guy Show with Lino Rulli), video games(Xbox, 3ds, IOS), and sports. I have been a fan of the Astros, Rockets and Texans since I was a little boy and have supported them through the good times and…well…let's just say not-so-good times :) I played Football, Basketball and Track in high school and continued running track at UIW in 2008-2009.

How did you become involved with CCFM and why? I had met many on the CCFM team at the John Bosco Conference in Steubenville, OH, a few years before and we hit it off right away. I already knew a few people on the team, including my “sister”/best friend from college, Jennifer Masters. She has been working with CCFM for the past two years so I reached out to her to see if I could get involved with CCFM and got a call within a minute or two. :) I am very excited to be working with such a loving and powerful community of Catholic leaders!

Favorite Quote / Bible Verse: “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth;[a] and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.” -John 4:23

“The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!” Numbers 6:24-26