about me
An early love for music led me to picking up saxophone, piano, drums, and guitar, as well as exploring deep connections with other musicians. At nineteen years old, I began traveling the world with WorshipTogether, playing drums in the house band with international worship leaders. By the age of twenty-one, as songwriting took the lead role in my life, God showed me a significant part of my call as a pastor to musicians.
Several worship pastors from local churches along the way invested in me both spiritually and musically. These close leader relationships have shown me the great beauty and need for worship-related discipleship within the greater Church. Having led integral parts of four church plants since 2010, I experienced leading in many different denominations including a multi-ethnic congregation in the deep south of Mississippi. Currently, I am a licensed minister with Agape Church in San Luis Obispo, California, and I lead an artist community called Evergreen Music Artists.
the levites
In Scripture, the Levites cultivated the presence of God for the people of Israel. Like the Levitical tribe in Scripture, artists and musicians today are still charged with skillfully leading people into the presence of God. The modern-day Levites, those who are Kingdom-bent musicians, keep strengthening the Church and reaching the masses through song. As artists and worship leaders, we love ministering to the local and greater Body of Christ, giving people the opportunity to experience powerful, musical worship that blesses our God and His people. God has also called me and others in our Evergreen Music Artists to enliven the Levites, and it’s our joy to assist them in empowering the Church.
For more about why do what we do as an artist community, our record label page is: EvergreenMusicArtists.com
what to expect
When leading solo or with a group, we take time to pray over song preparation, organize the band and tech conversations, and learn as much as possible about the culture of those with and to whom we will be ministering. If the event context lends itself to both corporate worship and concert-style artist songs, we can consider a hybrid of original artist-style songs along with corporate worship songs. As a leader, I can also prepare an entire setlist of my original songs as you would hear on my albums (see Spotify and YouTube for reference).
During the gathering itself, I lead by example in connecting with God and leading others to a deeper understanding of musical worship. I look for and listen to how the Holy Spirit is moving and working at the moment, following His lead so that people can “experience the love of Christ, though it’s so great we will never fully understand it.” (Eph. 3:19a)
Thoughts from other leaders about Kevin…
“It’s been so uplifting to participate in music events with Kevin Toqe and the Evergreen team. The refreshing, soulful music they bring flows from the heart to the heart.”
• Mike Sparrow • Director of Compassion Endeavor • San Luis Obispo, CA
“Thorough and thoughtful — that’s what comes to mind when I think of Kevin’s leadership in worship…Leaning into both musical and melodic moments, Kevin not only has the chops but the anointing. He truly leads out of a place of encounter and friendship with the Lord and a tenderness to the Holy Spirit that ushers the people of God before the throne of God.”
• Pastor Chad Bohi • Radiant Central Coast • Arroyo Grande, CA
“Kevin has blessed my congregations with brilliant music and worship leadership over the years. His commitment to following Jesus closely is visibly inspiring to those he leads. Kevin’s musical talent and songwriting ability inspire a depth of reflection on the character of God which connects them more deeply to God.”
• Dr. Jeff Holmes • Exec Coach, JKH Leaders • Morgan Hill, CA
“Kevin is a fantastic worship leader. Although worship can be expressed in many different ways I’ve always enjoyed and had confidence that when Kevin leads, I would be speaking from an established platform.”
• Pastors Mark & Ellie Cotter • Exchange Community Church • Walnut Creek, CA
“There are some people I wish every saint could know, and Kevin Toqe is one of them…His music brings the grace of the Gospel to all who hear it. Whether you’re looking to do an outreach or just a night of worship and encouragement to the saints, I can’t recommend Kevin enough.”
• Pastor Andrew Sanders • Clayton Valley Church • Concord, CA
“Though Kevin is an outstanding musician, vocalist, songwriter, and bandleader, I never detect showmanship or the exalting of any particular gift. I would trust him in any context to connect with people and help those people connect with God.”
• Pastor Jeff Bower • Life Community Church • Paso Robles, CA
“Kevin is uniquely gifted to facilitate worship experiences beyond his phenomenal musical talent. He does this by bringing his whole self to the experience alongside discernment, theological sensitivity, and decades of leadership experience.”
• Elbert Paul • COO of United Hope Builders • San Ramon, CA
“Kevin Toqe is more than a musician and singer — he is a husband, father and friend. He is a skilled musician who practices his craft and prepares himself to be a vessel God can use in the Body of Christ. I’ve personally led worship with him and would love to do it again.”
• Susie Masten • Dir. of Ops, Surgery Partners Inc. • NorCal
“Kevin and his music accompany meaningful moments and bring a sense of togetherness to groups of people. That togetherness is essential for organizations that have missions to transform lives and impact communities for Christ.”
• David Harrison • Santa Clara University • Santa Clara, CA
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