This whole “About Matt Naylor” thing is difficult. I don’t box in well. I have plenty of words to use in describing ideas, concepts, feelings, and theology but very few that work in explaining myself.
I follow Jesus. If you push me on it you’ll find me to be reformed in my theology. If you meet me you’ll find me often charismatic in my practice. I’m passionate and yet at the same time contemplative. I value God’s written word and the words that He speaks into my life in other creative ways.
I heard a pastor say once that people who change the world have a very narrow vision that affects everything they do. I want to see Jesus’ prayer for every believer to be one answered (John 17:20-23). I live to encourage the church where it exists, establish it where it is absent, and give it voice where it is voiceless. That mission is lived out as a missionary to London, California with JARON Ministries International and as a pastor at Community Christian Fellowship in Reedley, California.
Sometimes I go places like Uganda, Kenya, South Korea, and Washington DC. God usually both travels with me and meets me there. I kind of wish He’d help me pack, but I imagine He is near by shaking His head at my unreasonable travel anxiety.
Sometimes I stay in a place. I call this place “home”. Home right now is the rural community of London, California. It is an 8×20 trailer house that barely contains me and my library. I think it’s glorious.
I have a dog. People like to know when you have pets for some reason. Makes you more human or something. My dog is a hound named Maggie. Most mornings I greet her howling with my best Groundskeeper Willie impersonation or quotes from “Waking Ned Divine”.
A couple of years ago a Ugandan man once chewed me out with the truth when I told him I was unemployed. It was wonderful. He said, “You are not unemployed. You are a minister of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. And you may not have someone signing your paychecks… no that is not right… God will sign your paychecks. The disciples did what every morning? They woke up and waited for Jesus to tell them where they were going. Jesus did what every morning? He woke up and went to the Father in prayer. You do not need to have a plan. You need to follow Christ.” So that’s what I try to do. Even now, with an official ministry position, I still see that exhortation as key in explaining how I want to live my life. I may have “paychecks” coming in now, but each day still needs to be shaped by a vibrant, living relationship with Jesus.
I love you in the best way possible.
-Matt
