Player on Purpose - Zach Brobst
Finding Freedom and Faith Through Worship Guitar
You’ve probably seen Zach Brobst around the worship guitar world. He is a talented guitarist and puts a lot of great content out to help build the worship guitar community. Zach is also a testament to the transformative power of worship. Zach serves as a volunteer at Community Church in Brunswick, GA, where he is passionate about helping create an atmosphere where others can encounter Jesus. His journey has been shaped by both personal struggles and victories, which have influenced his approach to worship, no doubt making him a vital part of his church's worship community and the larger worship guitar community.
It Takes a Village
Zach began his journey into the world of worship music over 15 years ago. Armed with just a year of experience, he jumped into the worship scene. His early days were heavily influenced by metal bands like August Burns Red and Underoath, which shaped his early playing style. He characterized this playing style as, “using a Boss Metal Zone as his only distortion pedal” —a memory that now brings a smile to his face. Despite these raucous beginnings, Zach quickly found his footing and became a regular on various worship teams. He credits playing with skilled musicians and learning from dedicated mentors for shaping him into the musician he is today.
“Thanks be to God for the chance to play with other skilled musicians and have people who were dedicated to helping me learn and craft the skill that God has given me to use in a worship setting,” Zach reflects. Zach has nothing but gratitude for the opportunities he’s had, as these have been the driving force behind his dedication to worship music.
“Worship is not about how we feel, but about responding to God’s goodness. ”
Worship as Healing
Zach candidly shared that playing in the worship setting has been a literal lifeline. Through his battle and freedom from addiction and life’s seasons of general “messiness,” Zach knows firsthand the restorative power of worship. These seasons taught him how to worship God despite his personal circumstances.
“It’s easy for us as believers to choose to worship God based on how we feel about ourselves or how we think God feels about us,” Zach explains. Zach has learned that worship is not about how we feel, but about responding to God’s goodness and using worship as a way to connect our hearts, bodies, and minds. This realization has helped Zach grow both as a musician and as a follower of Christ. These learnings have given Zach the ability to lead others in worship with authenticity.
He’s Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy
One thing that stood out in his interview was his joy. When Zach steps onto the stage at Community Church, he brings with him an infectious energy and joy. Worship is where he feels most “in tune” with Jesus, and this heart connection is evident in the way he leads others. “When I play guitar, I like to move around a lot, get excited, lift my hands, sing along with the song, and show the congregation that it’s OK to worship King Jesus with a physical and jubilant expression,” he shares.
Zach’s approach to worship is all about helping others feel the freedom to express their love for God. He believes that worship should be a joyful and liberating experience, and he strives to model that for both his team and his congregants. His enthusiasm on stage serves as a powerful reminder that worship is not only an act of devotion but also an opportunity to experience the joy of the Lord.
Surrounded by Community
Being part of a worship team has had a profound impact on Zach’s life. He bravely shared that at certain points in his life he was walking in sin and heavily questioning his faith. It was this community of believers that brought him back. “I’m confident the Christians that surrounded me and the worship teams that I was a part of during those times helped keep me from leaving the faith entirely,” Zach admits. A true picture of the redeeming power of a Christ-centered community.
This sense of community has not only strengthened his faith but also inspired him to continue growing as a musician. After spending time with other Christian musicians, Zach feels energized and motivated to lean into Christ even more. His story is a testament to the importance of community and how it can keep its members rooted in faith, even in the midst of challenges.
Zach’s Signature Sound & The Gear
What began as a heavily distorted sound with his heavy metal influences, Zach’s sound transformed through his discovery of John Mayer. “I quickly wanted to learn every song he ever wrote. I adjusted my technique, my playing style, how hard I'd hit the strings, the type of strings I'd use, etc. to match his playing,” said Zach. His blend of influences, combined with years of playing worship music, has resulted in what Zach describes as his “signature sound.”
His go-to guitar is a Suhr Alt T Pro, a guitar he acquired after selling four other guitars. This guitar has been with him through countless live shows and recording sessions, and it holds a special place in his heart. “It’s the guitar that I’d love to pass down to my kids one day if they want to learn guitar,” Zach said.
In terms of gear, Zach’s philosophy is one of, the right tool for the job and has a variety of rigs that he uses consistently. “Different pickups sound better with certain amps, pedals, songs, etc. In the same way, I like having different amp setups like the Kemper, Helix, HX Stomp, TONEX, etc. because they all inspire me to play and write differently,” said Zach. His current setup includes the Kemper Profiler Stage, Line 6 Helix LT, and a pedalboard he made that features a Temple Audio DUO 17 with a TrueTone CS6 power supply, Creation Music supply cables, followed by the Case Study Effects Aspen Overdrive, JET Pedals Lamb & LION combination, TONEX One, HX Stomp (paired with the Pedalnetics Helauxy Duo), and then the full size TONEX pedal.
If you want the full demo and sounds of this board, check out Zach’s full board run-through below:
A Life of Worship
Zach Brobst’s story is one of transformation, both musically and spiritually. His journey from a young guitarist experimenting with distortion to a seasoned worship leader with a unique sound is a testament to God’s grace and the power of worship. As he continues to serve at Community Church and beyond, Zach remains committed to using his gifts to lead others into the presence of God, showing that worship is not only an expression of faith, but a platform for healing and joy.
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On Zach’s Board
