Our Staff
Matt Smith
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A native and long-time resident of Gastonia, Matt Smith was also blessed with the opportunity to live in the mountains of Boone, NC for a total of 7 years. While earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Appalachian State University, Matt met his future wife, Leigh (née Pitts). They married and moved back to Boone while Leigh pursued a Master of Education degree. Settling back in Gastonia in 2002, they have two sons, Jack and Luke.
Matt began a career in Hospitality Management after undergrad which led him to the Meadowbrook Inn and Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, NC and then to Ballantyne Resort in Charlotte where he tenured 17 years. A seemingly unfortunate layoff due to COVID-19 has actually been a blessing-in-disguise as Matt has turned his vocational focus toward the calling of leading worship through music and song. He received a firm foundation of faith and music at First United Methodist Church of Gastonia where his parents, Jane and James, met in the church choir. Through children’s choirs, youth choir, drama ministry, praise band and helping to found the contemporary worship service “162 East”, FUMC-G gave Matt roots and wings to follow God’s calling. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Worship and Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN and serves First Presbyterian Church Gastonia as the Thrive Music Leader. In his leisure time, Matt enjoys time with family, cooking, travel and of course playing guitar! |
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Affiliated with: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Presbytery of Western North Carolina
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