A Friend Leaves Chicago

During our time at Elim from fall 2004 to spring 2008 we became good friends with Matt Swider. Matt was the worship pastor when we started our ministry at Elim. When we stepped down from full-time ministry he was Elim's Teaching Pastor.

Matt and I became very good friends. We worked together closely in different ministries at Elim. Matt had a heart for youth ministry as well because that is what sparked his interest in ministry. Matt challenged a lot of my thinking on scripture and theology. Matt is a great teacher and a caring person. We laughed a lot and had a lot of fun while both doing ministry at Elim. He was a great help in getting Becky a position with Starbucks. He educated us on the greatness of Starbucks.
This is a picture of Matt and I at his going away party at Elim last month. Matt moved last week to Helena, Montana where he started a position as an associate pastor. We will miss Matt here in Chicago, but we know that God will do a great work through him in Helena. God Bless Brother...enjoy the cold dark Montana weather