Dear FAC Family,
I am writing today to announce our new Executive Pastor of Ministry Development. We have hired Dr. Doug Matthews for this role, and he will be joining our staff on September 1. We thank God for this amazing provision in such a key role. I was able to introduce Doug yesterday in our services. If you missed it, you can watch the service excerpt here.
As a quick refresher, the Executive Pastor of Ministry Development will make sure that all of our ministries are effectively aligned, oversee the Next Gen, Adult, and other ministry teams, and help us strategically navigate our growth and expansion in the future. We began our search nearly a year ago, and we engaged a national search firm to come alongside us as we worked with and interviewed several qualified candidates. In the end, Doug was the right fit for this role.
Doug comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience. He holds a Ph.D. in Religion from Baylor University and an M.A. in Theological Studies from Wheaton College. He is an author of several books. For over a decade he has served at Asbury Theological Seminary in roles including Provost, Senior Vice President, theology professor, and ministry and organizational effectiveness consultant.
Doug is well-versed in leading large groups towards vision fulfillment and alignment. He has unique experience in the development of both people and ministries through his roles with the Lilly Endowment’s Thriving in Ministry and Pathways in Ministry Initiatives, where he oversaw teams that helped develop and support future pastors and ministry leaders. As a part of Asbury Seminary’s Lay Mobilization Institute, his teams focused on lay and pastoral growth, leadership development, church revitalization, and major new initiatives with extension sites and church planting. In addition to these, Doug has worked with and served in a variety of ministry positions in churches large and small. Doug and Carol have a deep passion for both the local church and the unchurched.
Doug is coming home to the Christian and Missionary Alliance. He and his wife Carol served on staff at Toccoa Falls College in the 1990s, and he holds his ministry license with the C&MA. They greatly appreciate what God is doing at our church and through the unique DNA of the C&MA. He will bring leadership and wisdom to crucial areas on our team.
A few important details:
- Doug will join us on September 1 after he completes his work at Asbury Seminary.
- Deb MacKay, our Executive Pastor of Strategy and Operations, is still a vital part of our staff. She will continue to lead in her areas of oversight when she returns from her sabbatical September 11.
Jesus remains the head of the Church, and I am excited to journey with you as we live out our mission of passionately pursuing God, extending life-changing hope, and discipling people to be Spirit-empowered followers of Jesus.
I love being your pastor,