The First Baptist Church in Pentwater recenlty welcomed Associate Pastor Matthew Seaver.
Seaver comes with 18 years of experience. He graduated in 2012 from Moody Bible Institute with a degree in Bible, youth and music. While working at a church in Warsaw, Indiana, he decided to pursue a master’s degree in local church ministry from Grace Theological Seminary.
He moved from the church in Indiana to Grace Chapel by the Lakeshore in Zeeland, Michigan (now called: Family Church) and was there for eight years. At that time Grace Chapel had a membership of 150. Since then it has grown from one campus to five campuses. Seaver was the worship pastor at the Redwood campus.
On July 4, Seaver's sister Anna told him her church (First Baptist Church of Pentwater) was still looking for an associate pastor. He said he was intrigued, as he and his wife, Sara, had decided they needed a change in ministry that would allow for a slower pace and deeper relationships. Seaver said, “I also was thirsty for strong mentorship in pastoral ministry.” At Redwood he preached only a couple times a year, and he yearned for a teaching and preaching ministry. He called Pastor Mark Lillie on July 4 and accepted the invitation for an immediate visit. When Lillie found a cottage they could rent, Seaver changed their vacation destination to Pentwater to spend a week here.
Matthew and Sara Seaver had an instant connection with Mark and Melanie Lillie. The Lillies have over 40 years together in ministry, and the Seavers wanted the mentoring Mark Lillie could provide and the parish ministry available at FBC. Subsequent meetings with the leadership team and the congregation at FBC quickly “sealed the deal,” and the Seaver family moved to Pentwater the first week in September.
Matthew and Sara Seaver have five children. Their four sons are Hudson (10), Maverick (8), Rocky (6), and Gibson (4) and their daughter is Cali (3). Homeschooled until now, the three older children are enrolled in grades 4, 2 and 1, respectively, at Pentwater Public School, a short walk from their home on Park Street. “Our family shares a love of music and all things outdoors. Together we hike, mountain bike, downhill ski, sail, camp, hunt, fish, and kayak. Sara has a BA in music and taught elementary music for five years before staying home with the children. She and I often sing and lead worship together.” A talented vocalist and guitarist, Matthew also writes music.
He looks forward to his family’s assimilation in the community through the school and local events. He anticipates meeting with and learning from other local pastors who talk about common concerns and shared goals. He welcomes the support of prayers…”and meals,” he added with a smile. They are overwhelmed by the welcome they have already received.
