Introducing "The Story Series", a recurring series of episodes on Ministry Monday! The Story Series interviews pastoral musicians across the country and shares their pastoral music journey, both in its rewards and challenges along the way.

Today we speak with Rick Gibala, a lifelong pastoral musician who started his ministry in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. He was the first layperson to be the Diocesan Director of Music, and founded the Pittsburgh NPM chapter. His ministry led him to the DC-Virginia area where he's ministered there since 1986. Rick shares how he began to serve in pastoral ministry, what brought him to Virginia, and why he thinks NPM remains a critical part of music ministry in the Church today.