Project Leader/Architect
(719) 633-2078 x113 work
Office
World Headquarters (Colorado Springs, USA)
My Story
I grew up in colorful Colorado in a loving and encouraging home with a brother and sister who still live close enough to babysit! I did not see my need for a personal relationship with Christ as my savior until I was shown the love of Christ by a friend in college who confronted me on issues of faith. I gave my life to Christ shortly before moving back to Colorado Springs to look for a job.
As I began to live my life as a follower of Jesus, I wondered what I was going to do with my architecture degree. Searching for a way to combine my faith with the skills I acquired in school lead me to visit EMI to inquire about an internship. I didn't pursue the internship, but did gain a heart for missions through short term trips with my church. EMI resurfaced a number of years later when I was able to share an office with the founder of EMI. He shared his vision for helping children and families around the world through design. While God showed me compassion for a hurting world during this time, it was not until I experienced a trip with EMI that I saw architecture as a means to a grander end. Designing to serve the financially and spiritually poor around the world is used to glorify God!
I am constantly reminded that the needy and lost are not only overseas, but also those I meet daily in my neighborhood. Although I desire to serve people, I know that my actions do not make me right with God; I am forgiven and free from guilt because of God's gift of His son! This truth regularly leads to my humility and desire to walk more closely with Him.
As I have grown in my walk with the Lord and sought His will for me and my family through prayer and wise council, my wife, Sheila and I have been led to serve full time with EMI. Sheila has been my greatest encourager and faithfully nurtures our children Sydney, Ellen and Easton. I am looking forward to the EMI project trips and hope that Sheila and I are able to travel and serve together on these trips. I am also excited to walk alongside interns as they are asking similar questions that I did about how architecture and engineering can be used for a higher purpose than self glory. This has been a step of faith for us, but we know that we are equipped with everything necessary for the work ahead!
EMI Projects:
7056 - Costa Rica (Guayabo)Banyan Resources
8136 - India (Semiliguda, Koraput Dist., Orissa) Satya Jyothi Nagar [True Light Center]
9061 - Uganda (Wakiso) Church and Orphanage Design
Family:
Matt – Middle child
Sheila – Youngest of 2
Children: Sydney – Born in 2003; Ellen – Born in 2004; Easton – Born in 2008
Professional Training and Experience
Environmental Design Degree (Architecture focus) at the University of Colorado, Boulder. 15 years of professional experience; obtained Architecture license in 2000 in Colorado.
Verses to Live By
"This is what God the Lord says – he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spreads out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people and life to those who walk on it: I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand…I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go… As for me, this is my covenant with them, My Spirit which is upon you, and my words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring's offspring, from now and forever." Isaiah 42:4-6a, 48:17, 59:20-21
“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
