Hailing from western Tennessee, Matt is the youngest of 5 children. Even to this day and at his ripe age, he is still known as the baby of the family. His mother, Evelyn, still resides in their hometown, as does one of his sisters. The other siblings are sprinkled across the U.S. from coast-to- coast.

With three treasured children and a magnificent granddaughter, he is rapidly developing a head of grey hair. Daughter Staci is currently enrolled in college completing a degree in cosmetology and is a wonderful mom to baby Zoe. His sons Benjamin, who is serving with the U.S. Army, and Chase, a 9 year old future hall-of-fame sports star, round out his attempt to populate the planet.

Matt graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and an implied 2nd major in watching great basketball, an idol he still harbors. For the next 23 years he practiced architecture, with 18 of those years operating his own design firm. Focusing primarily on residential community design and custom waterfront homes, his company designed many communities throughout the region. With real estate development and construction as natural extensions of his talents, Matt engaged in a successful 12-year history in that field. Developing a golf course community in Corolla and building over 120 homes on the northern beaches of North Carolina's Outer Banks are milestones of his career.

Matt quipped: "While the kids have turned my hair somewhat grey, construction made it fall out!"

Having a passion for teaching and preaching, Matt has been on several trips to Africa. God opened many doors to preach and teach in churches in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Africa is in the midst of a great revival with millions coming to Christ each year. This has resulted in a great need for a multitude of pastors on a continent where receiving formal Bible training can be difficult at best. Therefore, his trips to Africa have focused on the equipping of pastors.

"While I have traveled to Africa in the capacity of a teacher, I have always left with more than I delivered. I have never left Africa without feeling great humility all the while being magnificently blessed by the Lord and His people. Giving is the true essence of His Kingdom."

Feeling the call to full-time ministry, Matt closed his design & construction businesses in 2006 and moved south to Kill Devil Hills. As is always the case, the Lord had greater plans than man, placing Matt and Pastors Wally, Gwen and Jill together for a new work. Feeling God's call to bring the gospel in a fresh and meaningful way, they planted OBXNation.com in June of 2007. Combining their God given talents, the team is dedicated to minister to the thousands of unsaved people on the Outer Banks while providing a solid church home to those who want a greater relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.