First Baptist Church of Havelock called Dr. Matthew Long to be its pastor on 3 March 2019.
Matt grew up in Michigan and met his wife to be, Katie, when her family moved there during their high school years. They both attended Eastern Michigan University and married in 1999. Matt earned a Bachelors degree in Psychology with a concentration in Religious studies. Katie earned her teaching degree in English and art. Immediately after college, Matt served as an intern with Campus Crusade for Christ for a year. North Carolina became home to Matt and Katie when they moved in 2001 so Matt could enter graduate school. Matt graduated from NC State with his Masters of Education in 2003. Most recently, he earned his Doctorate in Education and Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Matt has a specific interest in the Doctrine of Restoration, based on Galatians 6, and is under contract to publish a book on the topic later this year. Matt was ordained as a Southern Baptist Pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church in 2015. He received a call to be the Associate Pastor at Guilford Baptist Church in 2017.
Matt and Katie have six children: Matthew 17, Meredith 14, AJ 12, Sam 10, Annabelle 6, and Rosie 6. As strong advocates for the sanctity of human life, Matt and Katie were introduced to the world of special needs when their son AJ was born with Down Syndrome. They witnessed first-hand how this special population has been decimated by abortion, and were led to adopt. In 2015, Rosie joined their family all the way from Armenia. Rosie also has Down Syndrome as well as cataracts in both eyes. Since coming home, Rosie has endured eight eye surgeries with more on the horizon. She has blossomed with the love of a family and is now walking, talking, and learning.
Matt and Katie are excited about what the Lord is doing through their life and ministry. God has blessed them with his grace, mercy, and provision. Matt has the heart of a teacher and one of his favorite passages of scripture is found in Acts 8, Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian. "So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, 'Do you understand what you are reading?' And he said, 'How can I, unless someone TEACHES me?' " (Acts 8:30-31). Katie dearly loves the picture of God's power and his mighty hands that can create even the smallest of designs found in Psalm 139:13-14. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Matt and Katie seek to raise children who love the Lord and who will be a witness for him. Their hope is to lead others toward the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and into deeper fellowship with Him.
Matt grew up in Michigan and met his wife to be, Katie, when her family moved there during their high school years. They both attended Eastern Michigan University and married in 1999. Matt earned a Bachelors degree in Psychology with a concentration in Religious studies. Katie earned her teaching degree in English and art. Immediately after college, Matt served as an intern with Campus Crusade for Christ for a year. North Carolina became home to Matt and Katie when they moved in 2001 so Matt could enter graduate school. Matt graduated from NC State with his Masters of Education in 2003. Most recently, he earned his Doctorate in Education and Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Matt has a specific interest in the Doctrine of Restoration, based on Galatians 6, and is under contract to publish a book on the topic later this year. Matt was ordained as a Southern Baptist Pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church in 2015. He received a call to be the Associate Pastor at Guilford Baptist Church in 2017.
Matt and Katie have six children: Matthew 17, Meredith 14, AJ 12, Sam 10, Annabelle 6, and Rosie 6. As strong advocates for the sanctity of human life, Matt and Katie were introduced to the world of special needs when their son AJ was born with Down Syndrome. They witnessed first-hand how this special population has been decimated by abortion, and were led to adopt. In 2015, Rosie joined their family all the way from Armenia. Rosie also has Down Syndrome as well as cataracts in both eyes. Since coming home, Rosie has endured eight eye surgeries with more on the horizon. She has blossomed with the love of a family and is now walking, talking, and learning.
Matt and Katie are excited about what the Lord is doing through their life and ministry. God has blessed them with his grace, mercy, and provision. Matt has the heart of a teacher and one of his favorite passages of scripture is found in Acts 8, Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian. "So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, 'Do you understand what you are reading?' And he said, 'How can I, unless someone TEACHES me?' " (Acts 8:30-31). Katie dearly loves the picture of God's power and his mighty hands that can create even the smallest of designs found in Psalm 139:13-14. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Matt and Katie seek to raise children who love the Lord and who will be a witness for him. Their hope is to lead others toward the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and into deeper fellowship with Him.