Born in Virginia, Bro. Matt was born into the home of a mother who had trusted in Christ, but with a father who did not. At the age of 10, he saw his father come to Christ at a revival service. The Lord used that to impress upon Bro. Matt that if his ever-so-strong father saw the need for Christ, then he needed Christ as well. So in July 1982 at the Rustburg Baptist Church in Rustburg, VA, Bro. Matt was saved by God's sovereign grace.
During middle school and high school, Bro. Matt found himself moved a great deal. In 7th grade alone, he lived in three states: Michigan, Virginia, and Florida. This helped him get to know various people from various areas of the country and has helped a great deal in ministering to all backgrounds.
After moving to Florida, his family joined the First Baptist Church of Beverly Hills. Beverly Hills is located in Citrus County the church was built in a retirement community. Bro. Matt never had so many grandparents in his life. For years, he was the only one in the youth group! But what a blessing getting to know these dear seasoned saints who had persevered through the decades with their Savior. What a lasting impact that had!
At the age of 18, Bro. Matt felt God's call into the ministry. So 18 months later after graduating with a business degree from Central Florida Community College, he enrolled at Palm Beach Atlantic College (now University) in West Palm Beach, FL, as a Church Music major. What a tremendous opportunity! Learning the discipline being trained in classical music, being around other Christians of the same age, and studying at an institution with a Christian worldview --- praise God from whom ALL blessings flow
Bro. Matt went on to study Church Music at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. Upon graduation, he served at the First Baptist Church of Clewiston, FL, as minister of music and youth. It was there that God called Bro. Matt in a different direction. In June of 1999 while taking 18 of his youth to youth camp, God impressed upon him a new area of ministry with these words: "I want you to preach!" As someone involved with music his whole life, this was no easy submission. But finally, after 18 months of soul-searching and prayer, he announced that he would leave Clewiston and return to seminary for what many say is a "preaching degree."
He finished his M.Div. degree from Southern and is now a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry program in Expository Preaching at Southern.
Bro. Matt has been pastor of Boone's Creek Baptist Church since September of 2003 and also serves as the Seminary Extension Director of the Boone's Creek Baptist Association in Winchester, KY. Through the preaching of the Word of God, a commitment to be On-Mission for Christ through evangelism and missions, and a desire to disciple and foster fellowship among the followers of Jesus Christ, we pray that God will continue to do great things among this family of faith as He has for the past 220 years.
Bro. Matt is blessed with a wonderful wife and four precious children.