Ministry Focus
Matt was appointed by Missions Door in June, 1985, to be a Campus Ambassador. His desire has been to influence young people during a season of life when he himself had experienced much spiritual growth. The college years are a time when many are searching, and even those raised in the church are questioning what they believe. Matt brings to the campus a passion for “explaining & defending a biblical worldview (on rational intellectual grounds) in an academic environment & teaching disciples to do the same.” For 18 years now, every Friday afternoon while school is in session, he has met with Atheists, Agnostics, Buddhists, Wiccans, (one Druid), Solipsists, Anarchists, ex-Christians, and a host of Reductionistic Materialist Monists for discussions in a group called “The CAVE.” One student described it as “a safe place to ask difficult but important questions." Since 1990 Matt & Susi have directed the ministry at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. They love the work God has called them to: challenging students to commit their lives to Jesus as Lord and mentoring them as His disciples. Susi has a passion for hospitality and for reaching out to International students. They host weekly potlucks and often have students living with them. Matt says, “When God brings a person to life spiritually, they have a hunger and thirst for God that will drive them to an ever-deepening experience and understanding of His love and truth. Seeing lives changed as a result of partnering with God is my joy and reward.”
Faith Story
Matt was 4 years old when he responded to the message about Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and asked for forgiveness. At age 5 he announced in church that God was calling him to be a preacher.
He spent the next twelve years coming to terms with the implications of this conversion and call. Though at first it seemed that free grace and eternal security undermined the motivation to deny self, he came to understand God’s demand for obedience as an expression of His love.
He also saw that the gift of grace involves the power to escape sin’s bondage. At age 17, Matt’s early call was confirmed by God, and he surrendered his life to Christ’s Lordship and to pursue full-time ministry.
He met his wife, Susi, at Bridges Community Church in Los Altos, California, where they both were active in college and young-married ministries.
Education
B.A. in Liberal Studies from San Jose State University
M.A. in Systematic Theology and Philosophy of Religion from Denver Seminary
(Thesis: The Apologetic of C.S. Lewis as an Art and a Science)
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Matt and Susi by making a financial donation using a Credit Card or by Direct Debit (ACH).
Learn more about where this ministry happens
In colorful communities and along scenic highways, diverse people and landscapes span coast to coast
Iconic American traditions include Thanksgiving dinner, jazz music and the Super Bowl. They meld with eclectic examples of multicultural heritage: numerous local Chinatowns, family-owned taquerias and even cowboy boots, which originated among the nomadic Huns of eastern Europe.
The nation's landscape shows just as many contrasts — sandy beaches and rocky coastlines, open plains and vast deserts, rugged mountains and winding canyons, and abundant rivers and lakes.
The ideals of life and liberty that founded the United States have made the country one of the world's most prosperous, though not without dark chapters and present troubles. Crime, discrimination and ethics violations make regular headlines, and many people live below the national poverty level.
Families view education as essential to the pursuit of happiness, if not also a path to wealth and power for the most ambitious. Yet Americans also demonstrate a charitable spirit of generosity toward neighbors and nations in need.
Freedom of religion grants opportunity for all faiths, but Christianity holds particular influence in country's history and daily life.
Your participation with Missions Door supports ministry in the United States among college students, including many international students, in collaboration local churches. It also enables social outreach, church planting and leadership development in a wide variety of communities — among Native Americans and other cultural groups, and in urban and suburban settings where growing and changing demographics create new opportunities for the Gospel.
Cultural Snapshot
Aside from the Native American, Native Hawaiian and Native Alaskan populations, nearly all Americans and their ancestors immigrated to the United States.
Faith Fact
In a 2013 survey, 56% of Americans said that religion played a "very important role in their lives” — a larger number than any other wealthy nation.
Country Profile
Population: 320 million
Major Religions: 47% Protestant, 23% unaffiliated, 21% Catholic, 6% other
Languages: 82% English, 11% Spanish, various others
Literacy: 99%
Poverty: 16%
Ministry service area:
Campus Ambassadors
Ministry location:
Washington, United States