How the journey started…

I am learning, growing leader, saved by grace seeking to improve my world daily. I am married to an amazing woman, Clara and we have two incredible children who bring us great joy, Charlize and Lucas. I was born and raised in the south Bronx by two Christian, Puerto Rican parents who raised me in a Spanish Pentecostal Church(AG). It was in church that I discovered my talents, early on it was the piano, luckily for me I found a legendary Latin Jazz Piano teacher in my neighborhood named Charlie Palmerie who became my teacher. I began writing songs at age 13 and in high school entered drama and music productions, these are all part of the journey to discovery. My senior year in High School I won the Lena Horn Vocal Scholarship Award. After graduating I  studied briefly at Berklee the College of music for Jazz Piano and I finishing my college degree at Rhode Island College, with a major in communication and public speaking

How the journey changed…

To take you through the journey entirely, you should know I accepted Jesus as my personal savior at age 17, I went to church all the time but when I was old enough, I got married and pursued MY dreams. I got married in Rhode Island and it was in 2002 that my life began to shift in major ways. I always knew of the Lord but I would learn much later what it means to know the Lord like a friend, a savior. I was fortunate to get a break through some producers in New York, who helped me prepare for a record deal. In 2004 we flew down to Miami to perform some showcases for Major labels. I was offered a Major Record deal from BMG(which later merged with Sony).

How I found brokeness…

I thought I had arrived, I thought I had made it finally. My wife and I moved to Ft, Lauderdale, did the whole record deal thing, you know, Latin Grammy after party, Billboard after party, South Beach, hey there’s Tyrese, Oh wow, Lionel Richie? Really? Yup.

A year later my world was turning upside down, I had a finished record, a beautiful pregnant wife(with Charlize), a record company afraid to release my music due to something called the MP3 movement(’04). I was faced with a uncertainty, a humbling reality that my record was not going to get released and I was going to be dropped from my label out of fear and label cut backs. My dream became a nightmare, I left the label without a release, I had no career, ran out of money, I re-entered the work place with no financial margin at all, no medical insurance and a child on the way, my life was flipped upside down. This was painful, crushing and very tough for me. I never blamed God, I blamed myself, although I kept asking what is your purpose for me Lord?

In 2005  I entered a songwriters competition for Latin songwriters on spanish network Univision to compete and represent the US in the international competition called “Viña del Mar-Festival de la cancion”. I won first place in the country for my song “Tu no me conoces” and got to compete against 10 countries, I flew to Chile, made it all the way to the top 3 …….and lost. I was crushed yet again, I came back broken, confused and deflated. This heartbreak thing happened a few more times with opportunities that came up with Sony Latin but again, never worked out. Its like I made itnto every important door but they would never open. I began soul searching daily, seeking and asking God questions, why was I in South Florida, why take me through this amazing journey but have it lead to know where, why so close but only to find the door closed time and time again? These answers would not come on my terms, God simply revealed them as I began to pray and seek him earnestly again.

How I was called…

By this time I had been working at a music store and a friend kept inviting me to a church called Flamingo Road (now called www.potentialchurch.com), I finally decided to visit one of their multi-site campuses which was in a movie theatre. It was incredible, I remember walking in thinking, a movie theatre? Church? Really? The stage had moving lights, the music was energetic, exciting, they sang with passion and movement, it hit home for me, being raised in a christian home here I was chasing the music business, it was like God spoke so LOUD that day and said, THIS is where I need you to use all of your experience. I began volunteering within a few months, served every weekend, worked during the week just looking forward to the weekends to serve again and after almost a year I was approached to pray about becoming part of their staff as a worship pastor. I am so thankful that they believed in me, they took a chance on me, even now when I think back on the opportunity, I can only say that it was the grace of God, he causes all things to come together.. only God could have done that.

The remaining pages…

Since then I have had a chance to grow and be a part of some incredible churches, I recorded a worship record called “My King“, I still get to lead people in worship and work with amazing people. My children and wife still bring me great joy and the passion I have for music has only grown stronger now that I know why I’m doing it. I get to look back now at the journey towards the record deal, the TV show, the international competition and say, “many are the plans of a man’s heart, but it’s the Lords purpose that prevails.”

What I know is much less than what I don’t know, so i keep learning and growing. I don’t have it all figured out yet but I sure hope you can join me for the rest of the journey…..

M_