Author: Pastor Mat

Pastor Mat (he/him) came to Bethel in the Fall of 2003 to serve as the youth pastor. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Eastern Nazarene College in 2005 and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Northwest Nazarene University in 2010. Currently, Mat is a Doctor of Ministry candidate at Nazarene Theological Seminary in the Black Leadership and Ministry track. Mat married the love of his life, I’Esha, on July 11, 2009. They have three wonderful children. Mat is ordained as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Mat has been serving as Bethel Church of the Nazarene’s lead pastor since 2015. Mat served as an instructor of philosophical ethics, church history, and theology in the Religion and Culture program at Eastern Nazarene College for over ten years prior to the school’s closing. Currently, Mat teaches religious studies as an adjunct at Regis College in Weston, MA and theology as an adjunct at Northwest Nazarene University. In addition, Mat volunteers on several non-profit boards and is a co-leader for Quincy4Justice, Quincy Interfaith Network, and Quincy for Transformative Change. He enjoys reading, riding his bicycle, traveling, swimming, stimulating theological discussions, and cold brew coffee. Mat is passionate about the intersections of theology and justice. He is committed to dismantling white supremacy and patriarchy in the church and society. Mat’s specific areas of ministry at Bethel include church leadership, worship coordination, staff development, and pastoral care.
  • PEACE Advent 2023 WIDE 1024x576

    The Sunday of Peace Recap

    This past Sunday at Bethel, Pastor Mat discussed Advent’s second theme which is peace. But not the thin, fragile peace our world often tries to manipulate or manufacture. He preached […]

  • Hope

    Hope Often Looks Foolish

    Last Sunday, Pastor Mat preached on Luke 16:19-31 and Jeremiah 32:1-3, 6-15. He reminded us that the Gospel often looks ridiculous to the world, yet it is in that “foolishness” […]

  • Shed

    Big Paint, Big Hearts, and a Whole Lot of Gratitude

    The Bethel Church of the Nazarene youth group had the joy of joining forces with Father Bill’s and The Evelyn House for an afternoon/evening of service, and what a blessing […]

  • Night

    Sermon recap

    This past Sunday, Pastor Mat preached from Luke 10:38-42 challenging us to embrace a both/and faith, where sitting is sacred and serving is holy. In a world that pits contemplation against […]

  • Samaritan

    The Parable of the Samaritan

    Last Sunday, I preached on Luke 10:25-36. This is the story of the Samaritan. This text is often referred to as the Good Samaritan. However, Jesus never called the Samaritan […]

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    Juneteenth

    On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced to the remaining enslaved African Americans that they were free. It was two and a half years after […]