Travis Scharn accepts Worship Pastor postion at Northwood Church

August 3, 2010

Last week Travis Scharn accepted the invitation from the Northwood Leadership Team to become our new Worship Pastor. Travis’ positive response is an answer to prayer and God’s leading during our search process these past several months. Search team chairperson Becky Koller reports, 

“The Search Team has spent the last three months, praying, researching, and investigating potential candidates for the Worship Pastor position at Northwood.  The team has reviewed nearly 50 resumes, had phone screen interviews, watched DVDs of worship services, checked references, and prayed for God's direction throughout the process.  Travis Scharn was the candidate that kept coming to the forefront of the conversations.

Eventually, the search team sent representatives to Bemidji to see Travis lead worship at Bemidji Covenant Church and they experienced an impactful, worshipful service.  This led to a formal interview weekend at Northwood for Travis that included a rehearsal with the Northwood worship team, several social times with Northwood leaders and an intense formal interview.  The Search Team unanimously voted to recommend to the Leadership Team to extend a call to Travis.

Travis is an excellent fit for Northwood.  He has a worshipful heart and a desire to lead others into worship.  His desire to serve and minister to people is evident as you talk with him.  He is a skilled, well-rounded musician that desires musical excellence to draw people to Jesus Christ.  Please join us in welcoming Travis to Northwood.”

In addition to meeting the qualifications and responsibilities for our Worship Pastor position, Travis has known about Northwood for several years. He was mentored as a young musician and worship leader by our own Mark Collier when both were at New Song Church in southern California. Then a few years later Travis became close friends with Northwood Youth Pastor Luke Trouten when both were students at Oak Hills Christian College in Bemidji. While these existing relationships put Travis “on our radar screen,” it is Travis’ skills, godliness and experience that make him the best fit for our Worship Pastor position (see his enclosed resume).

Please pray for Travis’ transition to Northwood. He and his wife, Sarah, are “excited and enthused” about joining the Northwood family and already feel a “deep connection” with us.  They want to be at Northwood ASAP, however, they have a home in Bemidji to sell and Sarah needs to locate a nursing job in the Twin Cities. So, pray for their home to sell soon and at a good price. Pray, too, for a job for Sarah. Finally, pray for Northwood – that our worship services will continue to honor God and lead us all into “holy moments” with him.     

Grateful for God’s leading,

Brian Doten

Pastor