A Decade of Dedication

For the past 10 years, Kathy Pineda has faithfully served in the Music and Worship Ministry as a volunteer behind the scenes. She and her husband, Rick, joined the church after her husband was invited to sing in the choir, saying, “We never wanted to leave!”

While her husband was serving in the choir week after week, Kathy longed for a way to serve in her church home as well and decided to join the First Impressions Team. It wasn’t until one of the ladies in the choir said, “Hey, can you come do these slides for me so I can go sing?” The problem, Kathy said, was, “I don’t read music, I don’t sing music, I don’t know what to do!” Her desire to lend a helping hand led her to go anyway.

In no time, she learned to fulfill this need, saying, “We have screens on the back of the walls. I sit in the center section of the auditorium, and there is a computer system that puts the words for the choir on a screen on the back of the wall. I am able to go through the music and edit and change things if need be.” She continues, “It gives the choir clues on helping what they sing in the songs.”

Kathy continues to be in awe at how her service has allowed her to touch the lives of not just the First Dallas Choir & Orchestra but also our special guest artists. “I am amazed at who has come through! Do you realize that I was helping people like Steven Curtis Chapman, Rebecca St. James, The Hoppers, and so many others with their words? It’s been a part of my story that is written here. I can’t imagine being anywhere else!”

In this role, she and her husband are able to serve within the same ministry, each with their own gifts and talents. Kathy says, “I like to serve, and once you get plugged in, it makes it more your church.” That’s why Kathy graciously gives her time, saying, “I go to practice Wednesday nights and then stay after for the rehearsals and go through the songs, and then serve both services on Sunday mornings.” Kathy says, “I kept being faithful and enjoying it. I felt like God always put me in a place where I could rely on Him.”

She goes on to explain, “This is the biggest church I have ever been to. My daughter is coming now and serving in ministry, and she has found a place for her to serve.” Kathy says, “The one thing I have learned over time is the best way to make it your church is to be a part of it. Find something you love doing and do it.”

“We come to church to build relationships because when the hard times came, if it had not been for our church family, love, and prayers, then I don’t know what I would have done without people of faith in our lives,” says Kathy. What a timely message, given the transition our church is going through as we rebuild our Historic Sanctuary. We need volunteers now more than ever because this act of service makes our community stronger and glorifies God as we serve the body of Christ together.

We want to celebrate all that the Lord has done in your lives! Share your story with us by emailing firstdallas.org/stories.