Drew Wagner, our new Director of Worship Arts, began his professional life in a very different world—he was a professional musician.Despite his success, he felt something missing. “God got a hold of my heart,” Drew said, reflecting on his realization that music could be more than just a career—it could be his calling.

He heeded God’s call and became a music intern at a church in Louisville, KY, then moved to Colorado as a music pastor, where he met his wife Melissa. From there, they went to Ohio before moving to the Baltimore area where he led the music program at a Reisterstown church.

However, as with many journeys, Drew’s path was not without challenges. After recently taking a year-long break from music ministry, he worked as a creative professional for various companies. During that time, Drew prayed for guidance, asking God to show him the way forward. “It was a difficult year, and I prayed for relief, but God taught me resilience,” he said. Through the uncertainty, Drew learned that even when the future feels unclear, God is always faithful.

Drew saw the job ad for Central and sent in his resume. “Pastor Jeremy called me, and I immediately felt that we were like-minded in our views on faith. I continued to pray, and when Melissa and I visited Central, we knew it was a special place—where we can raise our four children in a nurturing, Christ-centered community.” Drew and Melissa are the proud parents of four children: Judah, Jesse, Marley, and Thia. Melissa works with special needs adults helping them lead independent lives. 

As Drew steps into his new role, he brings with him a heart for worship and a vision to create deeper, more authentic worship experiences. “We have an impressive group of worship leaders who are not just musically talented, but are authentic in their faith,” Drew said. His goal is simple: to ensure that the music we sing together aligns with the message we hear in worship, making each service a rich and meaningful encounter with God.

We are blessed to have the Wagners as part of our church family, and we are excited to see how Drew’s leadership will continue to shape our worship ministry. Please join us in welcoming them with open arms as they embark on this new chapter at Central.