Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd Daniels.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I came to Selma, NC, to pastor Selma Baptist Church in January of 2019. That spring, the director of what was then My Kids Club reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in teaching a group of kids to play drums over the summer. I had never taught groups of kids before—only one-on-one drum lessons. When she asked, I wasn’t sure how I would teach a group of kids drums with just one drum set, but I took a step of faith and said yes.
That summer, thirteen kids came each week to learn how to play the drums and receive encouragement from the Bible. What started as a small summer project quickly grew into something much bigger. As we moved into the fall, we developed our efforts into a ministry called On Beat.
Before serving in pastoral ministry, I spent seventeen years as a youth minister. One of the programs we created at Shiloh Baptist Church in Monroe, NC, was a monthly youth worship service I called On Beat. The purpose was to encourage young people to stay “on beat” in their walk with God and in their daily lives. As a drummer, I’ve always seen rhythm as a metaphor for life—if a drummer goes off beat, the whole band feels it. In the same way, when our lives fall out of rhythm with God’s purpose, it affects everything around us.
When I was an adolescent, I made a lot of poor decisions. One of the worst was dropping out of school. I quit to work so I could buy drum equipment and hopefully land a spot in a serious band. I thought success would come from chasing music, but God had a different rhythm in mind for my life.
God called me into student ministry, where I got to encourage youth not to make the same mistakes I made by helping them take ownership of their faith. When young people learn to stand firm in what they believe, it helps them make wise choices and avoid destructive paths. Little did I know, that foundation in student ministry would eventually translate into a drum ministry.
From starting On Beat in the fall of 2019, today we have our own drum studio with ten drum sets in downtown Selma. Everything from the building, the drum equipment, and even the snacks comes from donations. We currently work with about twenty students from Smithfield-Selma High School, and Selma Middle School, along with homeschool students who join us on Mondays and Tuesdays each week.
What began as a simple idea has become an opportunity that gives young people purpose, confidence, and belonging. Through our drum ministry, students learn teamwork, discipline, and creativity—but more than that, they discover their value and potential. We’ve had the opportunity to perform at parades, community events, and local gatherings, using rhythm to bring people together. Our mission statement is: “Impacting lives one beat at a time.”
Watching these students grow—has been one of the greatest joys of my life. For me, it’s never been just about keeping the beat; it’s about helping young people find theirs.
Our volunteers from Selma Baptist Church help make this an incredible experience for our students. Without their help, we couldn’t do this ministry so I’m very appreciative of them.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
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Our greatest struggle is funding. Everything in our drum studio has been purchased and is maintained entirely through donations. These generous gifts not only keep our equipment in good condition but also allow us to invest directly in our students. We use donations to take them out for special dinners around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the start and end of the school year. We also enjoy treating them to tasty drinks from our local coffeehouse, Coffee on Raiford. Every dollar we receive goes right back into supporting the students and sustaining the On Beat drum program.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a pastor. To be a drummer and a pastor with a drum ministry truly sets us apart.
What were you like growing up?
I was drawn to music at a very early age. When I discovered the band KISS just before kindergarten, my life was forever changed—I knew right then that I wanted to be a drummer.
I was an outgoing kid who made friends easily, often breaking the ice by asking, “What kind of music do you like?” Music was my connection point with people.
I was also artistic. My love for KISS inspired me to start drawing at a young age, and that creative spark has stayed with me ever since. I still enjoy drawing and finding new ways to express creativity today.
Pricing:
- Donations
Contact Info:
- Website: https://selmabaptistchurch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onbeat_drumministry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnBeatDrumMinistryofSelmaNC
