10 of those

Matt Chandler

Matt Chandler was born near Seattle and, due to growing up with a father in the military, moved several times before settling in the Houston area. At 17, a football teammate told Matt that they were going to have a conversation about Jesus, but he could chose when the conversation took place. Through their conversation Matt became intrigued by Christianity, and God began to break down his walls. Despite trying to find reasons not to believe, Jesus told Matt "No, you're mine" and he was saved.

Before going to college, Matt served as a youth pastor of a small church near Houston. From there, he went to Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, where he received a Bible degree. While at Hardin-Simmons, he became the teacher of an inter-denominational Bible study for college students called Grace, and was also on staff at Beltway Park Church. After several years in Abilene, Matt continued his itinerant speaking ministry with a home base in Dallas. In 2002, Matt became pastor of First Baptist Church of Highland Village, now known as The Village Church. In 1999, he married his wife, Lauren, and they have three children.