Frank G Abbott III Frank Abbott Photography
A FAMILIAR VOICE STEPS INTO A NEW KIND OF SERVICE
Sony Professional has long been a fixture in church production—especially in video-centric environments where reliability, image quality, and long-term value matter. But for many churches, navigating Sony's expansive ecosystem of cameras, switchers, lenses, and workflows can feel overwhelming. That's where Sony Faith comes in—and where Chad Vegas, Sony's new National Accounts Manager for Faith, is uniquely positioned to help. Vegas isn't coming into this role as a traditional manufacturer rep. He's coming as someone who has lived inside church production for more than two decades—as a volunteer, media director, broadcast director, creative leader, and pastor-at-heart. His appointment signals a deeper shift in how Sony intends to serve churches: not just with products, but with guidance, training, and care for the people behind the gear.
This role isn't just about gear. It's about helping churches thrive, technically, creatively and emotionally.
FROM WORSHIP TEAM TO PRODUCTION LEADERSHIP
Chad Vegas' journey into production began not behind a camera, but behind a drum kit. After moving from Hawaii to Las Vegas, he served on a worship team while pursuing music—until a pivot toward Bible college opened an unexpected door. When his school's media department needed a video editor, Vegas volunteered to learn. That decision launched a career that quickly expanded beyond editing. After working as a lead editor at a Las Vegas production house creating content for major casinos and local broadcast-style shows, Vegas found himself back in the church world—this time as Media Director at International Church of Las Vegas, then one of the city's largest congregations. There, Vegas cut his teeth across the full production spectrum: video, lighting, audio, staging, and early projection mapping—well before LED walls became common. "Church production forces you to learn everything," he says. "You don't get to specialize early—you learn by doing."
LEARNING THE LANGUAGE OF VISUAL STORYTELLING
After years of freelance work and production leadership, Vegas joined Bethel Church in Redding, California—initially as a part-time camera operator. Within a year, he stepped into a leadership role that would help shape one of the most influential worship broadcast styles of the last decade. During his six years connected to Bethel (five on staff), Vegas became a central figure in developing what many churches now recognize as a cinematic worship broadcast—a hybrid of live television and film language designed to help online viewers feel present in the room. "We weren't trying to make it flashy, we were trying to make people at home feel included," Vegas explains. That philosophy—using technology to serve connection rather than spectacle—became a throughline in his work.
TRANSFORMATION CHURCH AND CREATIVE EXCELLENCE AT SCALE
In late 2020, Vegas transitioned to Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, stepping into the role of Video Production Director during one of the most turbulent seasons the church production world has ever faced. There, he oversaw live broadcast, creative execution, and large-scale production moments seen by millions online. From immersive stage environments to technically ambitious services, Vegas helped lead a team that consistently pushed creative boundaries. It was also at Transformation Church that Sony cameras became central to his workflow. "I grew up with Sony," Vegas says. "What I loved was their reliability. Once you train your team well, the cameras stay out of the way. That allows volunteers and operators to worship through their craft instead of fighting the gear."
A SHIFT IN PACE—AND PERSPECTIVE
After years of high-output ministry leadership—and following a serious health crisis—Vegas began reevaluating what long-term sustainability in church production really looks like. His focus shifted toward healthy leadership, strong boundaries, and caring for production teams as people, not just operators. That shift led him back into freelance work, teaching, and speaking—most notably at FILO—where his message centered less on technical excellence and more on leading yourself well in ministry. That message resonated. And it caught Sony's attention.
WHY SONY FAITH—AND WHY CHAD VEGAS
When Vegas was approached about a role with Sony Professional, his initial response was hesitation. "I'm not a sales guy," he says. "I'm a teacher. I want to help churches succeed." That turned out to be exactly what Sony was looking for. Sony Faith exists to help churches understand and apply Sony's professional solutions in ways that actually fit ministry contexts—from small installations to large multi-campus environments. With Vegas in the role of National Accounts Manager for Faith, the emphasis goes beyond product recommendations. "This role is about coming alongside churches," Vegas explains. "Sometimes that's cameras and workflows. Sometimes it's leadership, team health, or helping a volunteer understand why something isn't working."
WHAT CHAD'S ROLE LOOKS LIKE TODAY
Since starting at Sony in early September, Vegas has spent his time doing what he's always done—answering questions, offering guidance, and helping churches think clearly about production decisions.
That may look like:
- helping a church design a cinematic broadcast workflow
- advising on camera upgrades or system longevity
- training volunteer teams
- speaking at conferences or onsite at churches
- acting as a sounding board for leadership and team challenges
Churches can connect with Vegas directly through Sony's Faith portal or by email, and the conversations aren't limited to Sony products. "If someone needs help and I don't have the answer," Vegas says, "I know someone who does."
A NEW ERA FOR SONY FAITH
Vegas believes Sony Faith is entering a new chapter—one focused on relationships, education, and long-term partnership with churches. "This isn't just about gear," he says. "It's about helping churches thrive—technically, creatively, and emotionally." For an industry often defined by constant pressure and volunteer burnout, that posture matters. And for churches navigating increasingly complex production environments, having someone who understands both the technology and the toll it can take on people may be exactly what Sony Faith needs—and what the church production community has been asking for.
