Matt Waterstone

About Matt:

Senior pastor of First Reformed Church of South Holland.

Bachelor's degree in religious studies from Hope College in Holland, Mich.

Master of Divinity degree from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Mich.

He and his wife, Sarah, live in South Holland.

Born April 8, 1983.

Accomplishments: Pastor Matt Waterstone joined First Reformed Church of South Holland in May, shortly after graduating from seminary. The 25-year-old pastor is the 25th senior pastor guiding the 160-year-old church. "As the shepherd of this flock, I have the joy of equipping and empowering a family of people to unite together in hope. First Church is the kind of church that seeks to reflect the image of community in Revelation 7, where people from every nation, language and tribe gather together in abundant grace and unity." Waterstone presides at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship service that is followed by an all ages Sunday school hour. An evening worship is celebrated the last Sunday of the month with special music or prayer, a hymn service or gospel event. Waterstone oversees the youth group called Swap 4, or Students with a Purpose, made up of youth from four different local churches and the Christian Family Life day care center. A Wednesday family night gathers congregants for

dinner and devotions followed by choir rehearsal or a class; Waterstone hopes to implement a Wednesday evening service called Thirst at First. The church reaches out through Kids Hope USA and small group ministry and supports PASS in South Holland and the Uptown Baptist soup kitchen. Waterstone is a member of South Holland Ministerial Association and Illiana Classics. He is on the board of trustees for Christian Family life and has started a running club call The Tulip Trotters of South Holland.

Why I minister to others: I've always felt called from a young age to be in ministry. I always loved the church and I have a passion for preaching the good news of Jesus. I want to show people the source of grace and hope."

What I read: "The Bible. I love C.S. Lewis, Frederick Buechner and Eugene Peterson."

Advice: "We don't have to look too far in the pages of our own lives or in the lives of others to find pain, loneliness and brokenness. I believe the church is the best way to gather our hearts and lives together in encouragement, support and grace. So come to church and experience a fresh start, a vision of hope and a glimpse of Christ's grace.

What inspires me: "Simply being the hands and feet, words and actions of Jesus to others. I have the privilege of watching authentic change take place in people's lives during hospital visits, cups of conversation at coffee shops and on Sunday morning in worship. I believe the hope of Jesus is contagious and in a world that desperately needs a second helping of hope, I can be the presence of hope and grace to those in need."

People might be surprised to know: "I memorize the scripture every Sunday. I preach without notes. I internalize the word and believe the words of the Bible shape who I am and how I reflect Jesus."

- SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate someone for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com