Matt Hook has two main life goals: “To get to heaven and take as many people with me as possible,” and “To provide as many ministry opportunities for as many people as possible.” Matt moved to Dexter with his wife Leigh in 2003 to be Sr. Pastor of Dexter United Methodist Church. Matt’s number one ministry is to be a husband to Leigh and dad to 4 children: Hunter, Jillianne, Graham, and Joy (as well as several fish and a dog named Casey Stengal).

Matt grew up in Birmingham, Michigan, attended DePauw University for music/business, Garrett-Evangelical Seminary for his Masters in Divinity, and Asbury Theological Seminary for his Doctorate in Ministry, examining “How Seminaries are Preparing Spiritually Alive Pastors for the Local Church.” Matt is active in World Methodist Evangelism.

At church, Matt works with worship, stewardship, & staff leadership, in order to get our church to envision things only God can do, and then attempt those things!

He also has a podcast called The Shepherd & The Shrink which is available anywhere you get your podcasts.

We talk about the media, fear, and the effects of the pandemic and the election in 2020 with a focus on looking forward and elevating your perspective.

We talk about the importance of having a mission. Pastor Matt Hook highlights some organizations that he called glocal (global + Local).

• Alpha House
• Delonis Homeless shelter in Ann Arbor
• Operation Christmas Child
• Project Angel Tree
• Cass Community Services in Detroit
• Service Over Self Memphis
• Redbird Mission in Kentucky
• Healing the Children in Guatemala and Honduras
• Hands for Peacemaking in Guatemala

Pastor Matt shares the story of Felix, a little boy from Guatemala who lived with him and his family for six months. Felix had a giant bubble on his face that was full of brain fluid and non-functioning brain matter. He changed the town of Dexter. 

Pastor Matt closes the episode with some encouraging words on prayer.