William Pringle (Bill)
Bill is our executive pastor (elder), he also serves the daily needs of folks who come into our Drop-In Center to grab a meal, shower, wash some clothes, get some wise-caring counsel, and locate some helpful resources. He also coordinates our Community Beautification Team which makes sure downtown Arbutus keeps looking good. Bill is a real lover and follower of Christ, he doesn't just talk the talk, he walks in God's grace and has a passion for folks to have very real encounters with Christ, the kind that grow life change! Bill's background, before he was captured by Jesus, was in the chain restaurant industry, where he was a very successful and well respected manager for years, eventually opening his own restaurants. In retirement he has made Christ's Kingdom coming His GREATEST priority. As he likes to say, "I used to make quarters, now I make nickles, but I'd would'nt have it any other way."
Sox Rykiel
Sox joined the lead team, reluctantly like all our elders, just like Paul and Peter advise we serve, not out of pride in self; or a smug self righteousness; or a desire to rule over folks. Sox is a man who loves his God, his wife, his kids and any folks God put's in his path. He too has many years of living in recovery. Sox is easy going, and relational man of God who lives out his recovery experience in the everyday! He so, wants folks to find the freedom and new life he has; and these aren't just thoughts in his heart and head, but they are worked out daily in His life. He'll walk with anyone willing to walk! Again, a lot of folks say they want to help, but Sox talks and walks it! His wife Nancy has been a critical minister at Matt's House Church for years, helping, leading, coordinating, organizing and serving as required. For many years she loved on the children and was the lead of our children's ministry. Sox and Nancy, have two adult children: Nicholas and Rebecca, they support and love them with ALL their HEARTS!
Dennis Knowles, Sr.
Dennis is a friend to many. He's been serving at Matt's House Church since he started coming out. Volunteering his van, his time, and his heart to get things done. At Dennis's first service, he determined that the folks attending seemed to be pretty bad off and desperate people, not really his cup of tea. He came back the following week, and God opened his eyes to see he was bad off and desperate, and needed God just as desperately as anyone else. Dennis is passionate about meeting people where they're at, and doing whatever he can to help them move forward. He retired from the flooring industry, where he ran his own installation business and finished off his career working for a prominate flooring company. Dennis has two sons, and is a grandfather. He's married to Monica, she's got an amazing heart for people, mercy is her superpower!
John Kolarek
John is a man with a GREAT BIG HEART! He joined the lead team as an elder several years ago after many years of dedicated, full hearted service at Matt's House Church, doing whatever needs to be done! John's a man after God's own heart, like king David before him. He wouldn't like my description of him, for good Biblical reason, he's not self-focused. He's a man who does what he does to serve others and God, no strings attached, and that's rare, even in church. He wasn't too excite when we invited him to join the Lead Team, but he prayed and surrendered to God's will, and again, that's rare, even in church. John is retired, and at one time served as a fire fighter for Baltimore City. John is married to Terry, who is a critical minister at Matt's House Church she leads, coordinates, organizes, cooks, decorates, prays, etc., etc., etc. She is a getter done girl! What a team. They love their kids, grandkids, and all the folks they adopt into their family.
Martin Fiegelis
Martin is one of our newer elders, and has been a part of Matt's House Church since it's infancy. Martin is currently serving youth, both middle and high school with Metro-Maryland Youth for Christ, a partner ministry from our launch days. His wife Rachel is also a missionary with Metro-Maryland Youth for Christ and serves middle and high school youth, her passion is for kids in the deaf community. She is currently working in Arbutus to establish a new ministry site. Martin is a Baltimore County teacher, specializing in special needs and currently works at Western School of Technology.
Bob Warren
Our newest addition to the lead team of elders. Bob started coming to our church desiring to stop running and hiding from God and His will, just going through the weekly motions of loving God. He eventually volunteered to use his wonder musical gifts as part of our worship team. He is incredible with the bass, harmonica and great with background vocals. Bob's recovery experience has given him a real heart for hurting & broken people from ANY BACKGROUND! He's experienced God's amazing transformational work first hand in his life and wants people to taste God's goodness. After several years serving on the worship team Bob believed God was calling him to step out and launch a new ministry to folks who love to worship God, but haven't developed gifts: like playing an instrument, or vocals. This gathering, Worship Jam, Thursday's has turned into another worship team at Matt's House Church, and it's magnificent to see what God has done with faithful hearts bent on worshiping Him as King of Kings. He's married to Nancy, and they both love on their kids, and grand-kids with all they have!
Rob Benson
Rob is our lead: teaching & preaching pastor, though you will see our elders and others teaching and preaching on Sunday's and at other outreach events. He and Allison, with a hardcore "Core Team" of others planted and launched Matt's House Church in Arbutus. It's been a ruff-tuff, sometimes painful experience; but God has been faithful in provision, encouragement, wisdom, and long suffering. Allison, Rob's wife, leads the Mercy Center a ministry of Matt's House Church to moms, babies, children and families. She makes sure real felt needs are met: diapers, clothes, food, formula, and most importantly Allison works to show Christ's love to each and every person she meets. An awesome team, Rob & Allison, who have two adult children: Jesse and Faith. Faith was recently married, so we added a son-in-law, YAY! Rob's background as an Army Officer, and Baltimore City Police Officer have been critical to our mission at Matt's House Church, serving God and serving others.