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.
  • 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 […]

  • We got love in our veins. Not hatred in our bones. Not bitterness in our blood. Not fear in our spirit.

    Worship Recap | We Got Love in Our Veins

    Benediction from June 15 Worship Church, we’ve been reminded today that the love of God has been poured into our hearts — not dripped, not rationed, but poured out like […]

  • Blm

    Why the Church Should Celebrate Black Lives Matter Month

    June is Black Lives Matter Month. This month is an opportunity for all Americans to make a stand against racism and racially-motivated violence. It is important for the Church and […]

  • People receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

    In Preparation for Pentecost Sunday

    Scripture: Acts 2:1-21 This Sunday, June 8 is Pentecost. Pentecost might be one of the last remaining Christian holidays that hasn’t been co-opted by Hallmark or turned into a shopping […]

  • Close-up of the faces of two brown children crying. One with tear tracks down her face, the other with an open-mouthed wail. "And God will wipe every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:17

    Worship Recap | “Things Are Not The Way They’re Supposed To Be”

    This past Sunday, we looked at Revelation 7:9-17. In this sermon, I named the painful truth many are experiencing: things are not the way they’re supposed to be. In a […]