My name is Dr. Matthew Leavenworth, founder and director of Pay Love Forward.

This episode was recorded live during a Zoom meeting with small group leaders at Harvest Church on December 21, 2025.Over the past six months, pastor Alex Falder and I have been working with the small group leaders on how story shapes community while taking them through our certification in Mentoring, Coaching, and Leadership Development.   

For Alex and I, leadership means going first.  During the last session, Alex shared his testimony.  This is mine.  It is a personal account of where I came from and how I got here. I talked about growing up in and around the church, losing my way, my battle with mental health and addiction, and the long stretch ofdarkness that followed. I talked about the things that kept me tethered to my humanity when I might have otherwise drifted away.  I talked about my son’s battle with cancer and the traumatic brain injury I suffered at 37.  Ultimately, I talked about what finally allowed to surrender my life to Christ.

This testimony was clipped from a longer discussion.  Present were the Harvest small group leaders, my parents, and two people I care very deeply about, Coul Hill and Tammy Zemliska. 

Thank you for your support.  It meant more than you know.