About Me

David Toledo serves as the Director of Worship Studies and Assistant Professor of Music at California Baptist University. He oversees undergraduate and graduate degree programs in worship and leads the Collinsworth School of Music’s assessment and accreditation efforts.

A native of Louisiana, David Toledo received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. After graduation he moved to Fort Worth, Texas where he pursued graduate work at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He received his Master of Music in Music Ministry in May 2007. In December 2012, he graduated with his Ph.D. in Church Music with a dissertation entitled, Imaging God in Private and Corporate Worship: The Imago Dei as a Divine Call to All Believers.

Prior to coming to California Baptist University, Dr. Toledo served as the Assistant Dean of the Performance Division and Assistant Professor of Music Ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He taught undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses in music, worship, and pastoral ministry. His students have gone on to serve in a variety of ministry capacities including the local church, missionary and denominational service, and higher education. From 2001–2015, he served on the staff of First Baptist Church in Keller, Texas, ending his tenure there as the Associate Pastor of Worship & Creative Arts. The Worship Ministry of First Baptist Church encompassed a wide variety of ensembles, musical styles, and opportunities for children, students, and adults. Under his leadership, the ministry grew to include over 700 people participating weekly in vocal, orchestral, and handbell ensembles as well as several worship bands and a Fine Arts Academy.

David has presented papers and lectures for numerous national meetings of church music and theological organizations including The Evangelical Theological Society, The Hymn Society in North America and Canada, and the Baptist Church Music Conference. He has several articles and book reviews published in scholarly journals. He has served as a consultant, guest clinician, and speaker for churches, state conventions, and seminaries throughout the United States and internationally.

David and his wife, Lindsey, were married in 2004 and have four children: Will, Ellery, Ethan, and Kate.

Education

Bachelor of Music, Vocal Performance • Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana

Master of Music, Church Music• Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas

Doctor of Philosophy, Church Music • Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas

Academic

Director of Worship Studies, Assistant Professor of Music • California Baptist University, Riverside, California (2019 — present)

Assistant Dean of Performance Division, Assistant Professor of Music Ministry • Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas (2015–2019)

Ministry

Interim Worship Pastor • First Baptist Church, Justin, Texas (2017–2018)

Associate Pastor of Worship & Creative Arts • First Baptist Church, Keller, Texas (2011–2015)

Associate Minister of Music • First Baptist Church, Keller, Texas (2001–2011)

Music Intern • First Baptist Church, Keller, Texas (2000–2001)

Minister of Music • Grayson Baptist Church, Grayson, Louisiana (1998–2000)

Memberships

American Choral Directors Association

The Hymn Society in North America and Canada

The Evangelical Theological Society

Baptist Church Music Conference

Texas Music Educators Association