Pastor Matt (or PM) began his call as pastor of The Lutheran Church of The Redeemer on June 21, 2015. Since then, Pastor Matt, his wife, Erin, and their children Ashleigh and Miriam have been very excited to see the many amazing ways we get to do God’s work in the community of Newberry.

Pastor Matt received his Masters of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 2011. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Newberry College in 2005; he majored in Communications and had a minor in Religion and Philosophy.

Prior to his call to The Lutheran Church of The Redeemer, Pastor Matt served as pastor at All Saints Lutheran Church in Mason, MI. Pastor Matt also served as Youth and Parish Life Director at St. Philip Lutheran Church in Newberry, SC during his senior year in college. His seminary internship was with All Saints Lutheran Church in Huntsville, AL. Before seminary and his call to ministry he worked at the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office in Columbia, SC and was the head of the Alcohol Education Program, which is a part of Pre-Trial Intervention.

Pastor Matt was born in Lubbock, TX and was raised in many communities and cities because his mother is a retired Navy nurse. Places that Pastor Matt has called ‘home’ have been Texas, San Diego, CA, Naples, Italy, and Columbia, SC.

Pastor Matt met his wife, Erin, while working at Lutheridge. Erin is a graduate of Winthrop University (2003) with a degree in Elementary Education and received her Masters in Divergent Learning from Columbia College in 2009.

Pastor Matt enjoys science-fiction of all sorts; TV, movies, books, and video games. He is a lover of technology. He enjoys watching Texas Rangers baseball and Dallas Cowboys football when he isn’t watching the Gamecocks of the University of South Carolina and his beloved Wolves of Newberry. He also is an avid fantasy football player and enjoys guiding his team, The Digital Gridiron Gang, to numerous losses and a few wins. Many times you can find him on a disc golf course around the area, running the streets of Newberry, and sharing in conversation and fellowship with a good craft beer. His other passions include working to alleviate hunger, singing, board games, and enjoying the company of the two pets he shares with his family: Mason the dog and Hobbes the cat.

Pastor Matt has authored a book The Gospel According to Ted Lasso and it can be purchased through this link.

Pastor Matt is very excited to serve at The Lutheran Church of The Redeemer, and to see the opportunities that we get to do together in serving God and neighbor in Newberry!

Huger is a long-time member of Redeemer and has been the organist since April 2008. He was also the Ministries Coordinator from 2004-2010. He enjoys serving in different capacities at Redeemer.
Huger is a math teacher at Mid-Carolina High School and is actively involved in the community. He holds a PhD in Psychology.

Nicholas Todd Shumate is in his tenth year as the Choral Director at Chapin High School in Chapin, SC. At Chapin High School, Mr. Shumate conducts five choirs including: Chamber Singers (11th-12th Grade Auditioned SATB Choir), HiLights (10th-12th Grade Auditioned SATB Show Choir), Concert Choir (10th-12th Grade Women’s Choir), Singers (10th-12th Grade Men’s Choir), and Chorus (9th Grade Women’s Choir).

Nicholas has a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting at Winthrop University, in Rock Hill, SC, and a Bachelors of Arts in Music Education, concentration in Choral/Vocal Music Education, from Limestone College (now Limestone University), in Gaffney, South Carolina.

Nicholas has worked as a Choir Director and Director of Music in churches in Charlotte, NC, and Columbia, SC for the last 14 years serving many different dominations.

Originally from Rock Hill, SC, Nicholas enjoys spending time with his family back home as much as possible. He is the youngest of four boys in his family.

Haley has lived in the Newberry area for more than half her life making this feel like home. She is the wife to a City of Newberry police officer and mother to three sons. She runs a very small photography business and enjoys time spent outside while her children and puppy run around the yard.

Call Haley anytime you need assistance in the church or if you have questions, even if she doesn’t know the answer she’ll be happy to find it for you!