Matthew Broyles YP Member Spotlight - Dec.

Name: Matthew Broyles

Where do you work? First Baptist Church

What’s your job title/what do you do? Pastor to College Students and Young Adults

Where are you from? Earth, TX

If you’re not from Abilene, how long have you lived in the area and what brought you here? I’ve had three stints in Abilene: I was born here, but moved when I was five. I attended Logsdon Seminary at Hardin-Simmons from 2008-2012. My current job brought me here, and I’ve been here for almost two years.

What is your favorite thing about living in the Big Country? Sunrises, sunsets and the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

What do you do in your free time? I love to play golf and officiate basketball.

What’s the last book you read or what’s your favorite book?

The last book I read is Shameless: A Sexual Revolution by Nadia Bolz-Weber. My favorite is The Harry Potter Series.

What’s your favorite place to travel to and why? Cancun. It’s where my wife, Katie, and I went on our honeymoon, and it’s a beautiful place to relax, refresh, and reset life.

What’s something you’re passionate about and why?

I’m passionate about leading the church to change the world with the love of God. Part of that includes admitting the faults of the church, acknowledging the damage the church has caused to some people, and then helping people see the goodness and love of God in the world despite those faults.

I’m also passionate about encouraging people to make earth look more like heaven each day. Whether through the ministries of a church, a non-profit organization, or individual people, we all work together to accomplish God’s work in the world.