Matt Bender serves as the Young Adults Pastor at Christian Life Assembly, where he has the joy of discipling, shepherding, and interceding for the next generation. He and his wife Whitney came to CLA through the clear leading of God, experiencing His provision in a way that could only have been Him. For Matt, it is a privilege to do ministry at this moment in history, when the tide of decline in the church is turning and God’s Spirit is moving in powerful ways.
His vision is to see a generation who seeks the presence of God, is formed in Christ, and lives on mission to bring the rule and reign of Jesus into every sphere of society. Inspired by Habakkuk 3:2, he longs to see God “repeat His deeds in our day” and renew His work in this generation. Matt often reflects on the challenge to live beyond “the soul-sucking voice of reasonableness Dan and Chip Heath)," choosing instead to follow Jesus with an unreasonable devotion that mirrors the unreasonable gift of the cross.
Married for four years, Matt and his wife Whitney—who serves as a counsellor and program manager at Wagner Hills—share a deep passion for people and ministry. Outside of CLA, Matt enjoys good coffee, golf, photography, and deep conversations with friends. He also loves prayer walks and finding the beauty of Jesus in everyday life, relying on God’s strength daily—even as someone who admits public speaking is one of his greatest fears.
