Born to Puerto Rican parents in Brooklyn, New York, Tito Charneco was raised in a musical environment of juxtaposing cultures.  From his earliest recollections, it was his desire to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a saxophonist. He began formal musical training at age 12 in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, and performed professionally throughout the island shortly thereafter.  

Music led him to play throughout the Caribbean, North and South America, and Europe, and instilled in him a great love of traveling and exploring the cultures and sounds of the world.  He has been married to his wife Leigh since 1998, and they have been in ministry since 2002.  They enjoy traveling, outdoor activities, and entertaining in their home.  Leigh is an elementary school teacher who has a passion for teaching children and encouraging them to reach the fullness of their potential.

Tito received a Bachelors in Music in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas in 2002, and a Masters of Divinity from Andrews University’s Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in 2010.  After working as a jazz educator in universities throughout the country, Tito accepted a call to plant a church in Keller, Texas.  Concurrently, he completed a Masters in Music at UNT (2012).  It is his desire to continue to study, particularly the use of music in Scripture, in order to further understand and reveal its proper place, context, and use in worship.

In July 2014, the Charnecos relocated to Cologne, Germany, where Tito served as pastor and church planter for the North-Rhine Westphalia Conference of SDA. Since August 2018, Tito and Leigh have been in New York, where he pastors the Manhattan SDA Church, in the West Village.

Tito’s biggest love in life is sharing Jesus.  He also enjoys a myriad of sports, but particularly cycling. He recently completed a Doctorate in Ministry (Urban Ministry) from Andrews University’s Theological Seminary (2022), and is currently completing coursework towards a Doctorate of Musical Arts at UNT.