Associate Minister of Music and Organist Jeff Brummel marked his 20th anniversary as a Wilshire staff member on April 24 and will be recognized during 11 a.m. worship on Sunday, May 3.
Jeff is the longest-serving organist in Wilshire’s 75-year history and among the longest-serving music staffers ever at Wilshire. Since his arrival in 2006, he has grown from part-time organist to full-time minister. Jeff became associate minister of music in 2018 and was ordained around the same time.
Minister of Music Ariel Merivil said, “Behind Jeff’s lighthearted and sometimes comedic exterior is a quiet, steady presence. For 20 years, he has shown up fully as organist, accompanist and minister, bringing creativity to our hymn singing, energy to his voluntaries and genuine care to every corner of our music ministry. From Youth Choir to Children’s Choir to summer music camps and caring for our instruments, Jeff is always where he is needed. At his core, he is a relationship builder who loves this congregation deeply.”
In addition to playing for worship and various ensembles, Jeff supervises Ralph Manuel, handbell coordinator, and Shana Gaines, director of Wilshire Winds. Jeff directed Youth Choir and Shekinah for many years and still serves as accompanist. “I still get to go on tour, which is fun,” he said. “Now I don’t have the headache of all the planning!” he added with a smile. “Of course I’m happy to support Ariel in any way I can.”
In recent years, Jeff has taken on a new responsibility as Wilshire’s ministerial point person for funerals. “I’m the first point of contact, and I work with families directly, along with Carol Cabaniss,” he said. Jeff leads the planning of funerals and memorial services, helping select music and coordinate clergy and other participants.
“It’s very meaningful to be there for families during that difficult time in their lives,” he said. “Most of them have never planned a funeral, and I can sense the stress leave the room as we start talking through things and they realize they don’t have to carry everything themselves.”
Born and raised in the Eugene, Oregon, area, Jeff earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from College of the Ozarks in Missouri. He moved to Texas in 2004 to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, earning a master’s degree in 2007 and a doctorate in 2015. He studied with legendary organ professor Al Travis and, after Travis’ retirement, with Yoon-Mi Lim.
“I was Al’s last student and one of the last to come out of Southwestern with a mindset of church music similar to what Wilshire has,” Jeff said. He worked at two area churches before coming to Wilshire.
“I never thought I would be here 20 years, but then again, I never thought I wouldn’t be,” he said. “When I was in high school, I heard a preacher say never to go into a church job expecting that you’re going to leave. It’s not that you anchor there no matter what, but that you don’t approach it as something temporary. You’re called to be fully present in that community. And then, in God’s good time, if it’s time to go, that will become clear.
“As you begin a role like this, new areas of ministry open up,” he added. “If they match your gifts and abilities, you step into them — sometimes even learning new skills along the way.”
Jeff said “transition” is the one word he would use to describe Wilshire’s music ministry in recent years. “With Doug Haney retiring and other roles turning over, one thing I bring to the table is stability.”
He is quick to point to the congregation’s role. “The congregation is so supportive. They’re always eager to participate in our ministries. They show up and go the extra mile. It’s always incredible to be with them.”
Some of Jeff’s favorite moments come from hearing the congregation sing. “It helps me play,” he said. “It inspires me. And I love being in a place that loves singing hymns.”
“There’s something about the day-to-day rhythm of church staff life that I’ve always enjoyed,” he added. “It makes me whistle on my way to work — just being around these people and seeing what they do. They’re highly qualified and deeply committed.”
Jeff is also mindful of the many people behind each moment in worship. “I get a lot of kudos because of the visibility of what I do, but I know it takes far more than just me,” he said. “Someone has to keep the room comfortable, prepare the worship folders and handle countless other details. It takes a whole team to make those moments happen.”