“This is the best way I know to let my life speak. It’s just who and I am and what I do.”

This statement made from Cliff on a radio interview sums up Cliff’s passion and vision for Cliff Hackler Ministries. Cliff discovered God’s grace early in his own life through the committed example of his parents. As he grew, so did his understanding of God’s grace, which weaved itself into his goals and dreams.

Now a full-time Christian musician, Cliff conveys the stories of this grace and how his experiences on this journey have shaped his life. “The message is simple: God loves us more than we could ever understand and He wants us to share in His love forever.” He utilizes his deep passion for God, down-to-earth humor, and a stylistically diverse collection of music to express both personal and corporate worship to God, to encourage believers in their faith, and to share God’s saving grace with the lost.

A native Texan, Cliff grew up in and around Dallas as the youngest of 5 children. He began playing the saxophone as a child and in doing so he discovered a world that gave his heart a voice. His talents afforded him the opportunity to gain degrees from Texas Wesleyan University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. After 17 years as a church music minister/worship leader, Cliff sensed God leading him to a new place of service and thus founded Cliff Hackler Ministries. Now, 8 years later, Cliff finds himself in more than 100 churches per year as he travels across the country sharing his music and message. A gifted saxophonist, Cliff is often referred to as a “Christian Kenny G.,” but he doesn’t necessarily consider himself a performer as much as a worship leader. “I am called to minister to God and to the people of God through music. I suppose that still makes me a music minister in some ways.”

Though his talent is evident, Cliff is more than just a musician. Incorporating his faith into everyday life is the challenge Cliff presents to all who attend his concerts. “Through my concerts I want people to see that worship is more than music, it's a way of living. God is approachable and He desires to walk with us through ALL of life's trials and celebrations. I'm not always the best example of worship in action, but I try to allow my faith to guide me in all areas of my life as a husband, as a father, and as a Christian artist.”

Cliff's music is a fusion of contemporary worship songs and traditional hymns seasoned with a touch of spirituals and toe-tappin' Southern gospel tunes. His concerts appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds. “Children respond to my ministry because it's different; teens respond to it because it's 'cool'; and adults just seem to enjoy the songs and testimonies. People ask me who my target audience is. My target audience is God. I try to express to Him what's on my heart. As it turns out, He somehow uses that in other people's lives.”

With five albums produced in his first 4 years of this ministry and a new CD underway, the pace is a fast one. “For the first few years it seems I was always either in the studio or getting ready to go back.” he says. “Much of that was driven by the diversity I found in music represented in our churches today. It is always the same message, it just gets packaged differently. I may be playing at a senior adult gathering one day and on a college campus or in a prison the next. In trying to tailor this ministry to the people in which God puts in front of me, it’s always a challenge and presents a new adventure for me everyday and helps drive me to stay fresh and creative.”

Other than being a child of God and a minister of the gospel, Cliff’s most cherished roles are those of husband to Jennifer, his wife of 17 years, and father to nine-year-old Matthew. They make their home in Midlothian, TX, a suburb of Dallas.