Matt

Matt is a native of Northern Virginia having grown up in West Springfield where he attended Messiah UMC. He was active in their youth program after walking on Chrysalis 50 and participated in numerous youth mission trips. He is a proud graduate of West Springfield High School (go Spartans!) and the University of Virginia (wahoowa!). He majored in religious studies. In his free time, Matt enjoys spending time with his family, and watching Washington’s underachieving sports teams. Matt completed his seminary education at Wesley Theological Seminary and has been a pastor in Northern Virginia since 2011. He served Trinity UMC in Alexandria as an Associate Pastor, and Spirit and Life Church in Woodbridge as a Lead Pastor.

Matt married Emily Benton in 2011. Emily is a high school math teacher at West Springfield High School. She, too, grew up in Northern Virginia, graduating from Robinson Secondary School in Burke before going to the UVA. Matt and Emily have two sons, Patrick, who loves trains, books and games, and Evan, who loves balls, music, and his big brother.