For the last 25 years, the worship team has been a central part of life at The Crossing. And from the very beginning, David Cover has played a key role—first as a high school kid clicking through PowerPoint slides, then as a full-time worship leader, and now as a seasoned creative voice still serving on Sunday mornings. We sat down with David to reflect on what The Crossing’s worship team has meant to him, how it has shaped his life, and what he hopes it will mean for others in the years ahead.
What was your experience like at The Crossing before joining the worship team?
I was 15 when The Crossing started, and I remember meeting in basements and Memorial Union. The church felt like a start-up in every sense—we were figuring things out week to week. But I loved the energy. I loved being part of something new, something real, and something that mattered. Even as a teenager, I knew this was about more than Sunday mornings. It was about helping people meet Jesus.
One of my first roles was running the PowerPoint slides during services. It was as low-tech as it gets. Just me, a laptop, and a button. But I took it seriously. There was a moment when the computer froze mid-service and I had to figure out how to fix it in real time. It might sound minor, but that kind of responsibility made me feel part of something important.
How did you first get involved as a worship team member?
I started leading worship in other places first, like K-Life and other student events around town. That’s where I developed my skills and got more confident playing music. When I turned 18, Scott Johnson asked me to audition for the worship team at The Crossing. We needed a bass player. I didn't play bass at the time, but I had played guitar and figured, "How hard can it be?"
Back then, the team was young, and the entry bar for skill level was much lower than it is today. But I think God had gifted me musically, and I caught on quickly. I jumped in. And from that point on, playing worship music became one of the key anchors in my life. Honestly, it saved my life.
What do you mean when you say playing worship music saved your life?
When I got to college, everything changed. I was finally on my own. I remember the sound of my dorm door closing—that heavy, echoing thud—and realizing for the first time, "I can do whatever I want." That freedom was thrilling, but it was also dangerous. I started making choices that didn’t reflect the values I grew up with.
I wasn’t prioritizing school. I was in a relationship that wasn’t healthy. I wasn’t going to church regularly. There wasn’t a strong college ministry presence then, and I felt spiritually adrift. But the one thing I kept doing was showing up to play music at The Crossing. That rhythm—showing up, being part of something larger than myself—kept me connected.
Eventually, it forced me to ask hard questions: "Am I living like someone who believes this? Am I just performing Christianity, or is it really mine?" I had a moment where I just broke down and asked God, "What am I doing?" That was the turning point. That’s when my faith stopped being inherited and started being real.
How did that shift affect how you viewed musical worship itself?
When you're young, music is just fun. It's a creative outlet. And honestly, it still is. But as I grew in my faith, I started to understand the depth and importance of corporate worship.
Worship music in a service isn’t filler. It’s not just what we do before the sermon. Something holy happens when we gather to sing, pray, and hear the Word together. We're not just connecting with God individually but with each other and with the church across the world and throughout history.
What makes the worship team at The Crossing unique?
It’s dynamic. It evolves. We don’t lock ourselves into one sound or one vibe. Every week, we look at what will best serve the people walking through the doors. That might mean a modern worship song, a centuries-old hymn, or something experimental. We don’t do it to be trendy. We do it to be intentional.
I think about it like being a chef. Worship leaders are spiritual chefs, in a sense. We prepare a meal every week. Some ingredients are familiar and comforting, others are new and surprising. But every meal is crafted with care and meant to nourish the church. And we try to avoid the spiritual equivalent of fast food—songs that might taste good in the moment but have no depth.
Is there a Crossing Worship era you look back on with special fondness?
I really loved the season when we were writing and recording our own music—songs written by our church, for our church. Some of those songs still hold up. Some... not so much. But the process was life-giving.
We even released some recordings, printed vinyl, and albums on Spotify. I had the margin then—fewer kids, more late nights. It was just an enjoyable and formative time. I’d love to revisit that creative season in the future!
You’re not a full-time worship leader anymore. Why do you still lead?
Because I still believe in it. I still love it. Leading worship keeps me grounded. It’s not just what I do—it’s part of who I am. I may not do it every week, but it still energizes me when I get the chance to help shepherd people into God’s presence. I hope I get to keep doing that for a long time.
What excites you about the future of worship at The Crossing?
Worship should always evolve, not for novelty's sake but because people change, culture shifts, and God keeps moving. I'm excited about raising up new leaders—men and women who will bring fresh energy, fresh creativity, and fresh conviction.
I’m also excited about continuing to make worship more culturally diverse. We’ve sung songs in Spanish, Swahili, and Portuguese. That kind of inclusion helps connect us to the global church.
How can people pray for or support The Crossing’s music ministry?
Pray that we stay rooted and imaginative. Pray that we don’t lose sight of why we do this. Pray that our team remains unified, creative, and focused on Jesus above all. And support us by being present. Sing like you believe the words. Show up even when you don’t feel like it. Worship isn’t about the band, but about the body coming together and opening our hearts to God. That moment every Sunday is sacred. And, if you’re like me, it might just save your life.
