Matthew was born in Lenoir, NC, and moved to N. Myrtle Beach, SC at a young age. Matthew had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home and began his relationship with the Lord around the age of 8. He loved his youth group in high school and developed a passion to continue serving that age group. After high school, Matthew earned a Social Studies degree from Erskine College. Later he earned his Masters in Christian Leadership at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.
His senior year at Erskine, Matthew began dating Penny, who he has known since kindergarten! They were engaged on a mission trip in Africa in 1998 and were married in May 1999. Matthew served as a Young Life Church Partner for two years. In 2001, they moved to the Bluffton/Hilton Head area where Matthew began serving as the Youth Pastor at Grace. In February 2012, he was called and now serves as the Lead Pastor. Matthew and Penny have two sons: Rivers and Wells.
“Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.”
1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NASB)
