I am Matt Goode (Matthew Franklyn Goode – not to be confused with the famous actor, Matthew Goode).  At 29, I am the oldest of our core group.  I am soon to be married to Farrah (see above).  I am a third year MDiv. Student at Drew Theological School.  I am also the pastor at Verona United Methodist Church in Verona, NJ. 

As I have been on this journey towards church planting with my three traveling companions, I have discovered many ways in which my unique interests will fit into our adventure.  I have an interest in theology, especially in finding new ways of approaching theology as our dualisms and absolutes of modernity seem to become more and more absolute.  My interest is mainly in understanding how our theoretical theological concepts actually have anything to do with our lived experience.  So, I guess that means that I like practical theology.   I have a love for people.  I love all people.  I love talking with people, watching them on their spiritual journey’s, helping them discern how God might be working in their life, serving them, and on and on….   The thing that I am most looking forward to as this project moves forward is being with people.  I am excited to form new relationships, build new communities, and serve my neighbors.   Some of my interests/hobbies are: reading (I know, I am very exciting), music (mostly listening these days, not so much playing) – I grew up listing to skate/pop-punk which I still like, but I love all music, being in nature ( which I don’t do nearly enough), and I am sure that there are other things that I will add to this list at some point.