Roland V drums

Hi! My name is Russ Sechler. I was born in 1961 and am married to Rebecca (my high school sweet heart). We have two children, Amanda and Brandon.

My favorite bible passage is: "In quiet and confidence shall be your strength."

I have been a professional firefighter for over 14 years.

I started playing drums seriously at the age of 15, with a local band formed out of members of a Baptist church in Placentia, California. During the years of the Maranatha Music concert and record rush, I played with groups formed from musicians from Orange County. A couple of times we were fortunate to open for Parable, a Calvary Chapel band produced by Maranatha Music in the 70's that rose to the top of the Christian charts.

Later, I moved to the Santa Ynez Valley to finish my high school years. There I began to play with the school's jazz band, jazz choir, marching band and orchestra. I competed at the Jazz Festival in Reno, Nevada, with a full 40 piece jazz ensemble.

After graduation, I continued to learn new styles and rhythms for the drums. Meeting a professional bass player at my new church, I began a journey of learning to worship the Lord with the gift I had been given. I spent six days a week, eight hours a day practicing to worship music, jazz music, pop and a variety of other music.

Spending so much time by myself, practicing and working on my skills, I began to build a real relationship with God. He was by my side, molding and shaping my music and my soul for what he had in store many years later. I learned a great deal of patience and self-discipline during that time. Something that has carried me through many trials.

After playing in many church worship groups, God landed us at the Vineyard Fellowship in Santa Maria, California, where, along with the rest of Judah's Fire, I can worship the Lord and bring others into worship with the gift of rhythm.

It was a great honor to have been asked to play lead drums on this CD. We hope that the music God has given us will lift your spirit and open your heart to all God has for you!