David Mendoza, 23 years old, is the technical director at Mount Paran Church in Atlanta. Mendoza has been involved in ministry literally since birth, growing up a pastor’s kid and entering ministry at an early age. His calling, he says, was the gift of fellowship.
CPM: When and where did you catch the tech bug?
Mendoza: It was very early on. Being a pastor’s kid, you spend a lot of time “hanging out” at church. I was fascinated with technology, but it wasn’t until the techs at our church, Courteney Bence, Mike Stigile, and David Wagner, took me under their wing and took a risk to build up a tech like me from scratch. I knew nothing except how to move a fader on a console. Having people like them and others walk alongside me and teach technology over time was a blessing I wish every church tech would have.
“Whether I am planning for a massive concert or setting up a small bible study room, I try my best to keep the heart for why we do what we do at the very front.”
CPM: Can you share a little about your testimony?
Mendoza: Growing up in the church it’s easy to say I was born into Christianity. I have the honor of being raised by God-loving parents who pour themselves out for people and are continuously “on the job.” But throughout my teenage and young adult years, I have really grasped onto His Word and made my faith my own. There was a breaking point in my early 20’s where I had no option but to rely on God to pull me through. I pursued him like never before and made my faith my own.
CPM: Your campus is the birthplace of the first multi-site church. Were you around for any of that?
Mendoza: I was not around for the early years, but I’ve heard all the stories firsthand. It was a season of revival where God really poured into Mount Paran and people flooded the church, hence the birth of multi-site. Dr. Walker, our founding pastor, was a pioneer in multi-site and had a large vision to take over the city for God. We are still blessed to this day by his leadership and vision.
CPM: Does your groundbreaking L-Acoustics L-ISA installation give you any new options in the creative process?
Mendoza: The L Acoustics L-ISA has taken us to the next level in production. The amount of creativity it gives the engineer is astonishing. It is impressive to see the expressions on members’ faces once the first note is hit. The biggest benefit of this wonderful upgrade is immersive sound. The ability to locate audio signals across the spectrum is a sound like never before. We are blessed by this advance in technology, and I believe the future of church sound is immersive audio.
CPM: What’s your favorite part of the job?
Mendoza: My favorite part is to take the ministry desires and best represent and support them with technology. Whether I am planning for a massive concert or setting up a small bible study room, I try my best to keep the heart for why we do what we do at the very front. We never really know what impact our efforts have on people, being a part of that specific moment.
