Calling our New Albany Worship Pastor

Introducing Matt Wood

 

From Matt:

I was born and raised in South Mississippi and have been married to my wife for 11 years. We have three children ages 7, 3, and 3 months old. Music has always been a major part of my life; I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember and playing guitar since I was 13. I came to faith at 24 years old and have been pursuing God’s calling into ministry ever since. As a family, we’re very easygoing and love spending time together outdoors, whether that’s at the park, the beach, or the splash pad with our kids. Outside of ministry, I enjoy board games, fishing, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Experience:

Mosaic Church
Worship Pastor | January 2023 – Present
• Lead worship within a multi-site church environment, coordinating music and service elements across campuses.
• Collaborate with the creative ministry to develop and execute themes and ideas for sermon series and weekend experiences.
• Recruit, schedule, and develop volunteers both musically and spiritually through rehearsals, mentorship, and personal meetings.
• Lead weekly rehearsals and worship services with a focus on preparation, communication, and team culture.
• Use Planning Center Services, Workflows, and Forms to organize service planning, coordinate baptism candidates, and on-ramp volunteers.
• Maintain DMX lighting, SDI video, and networked A/V systems, with experience troubleshooting issues during live production environments.
• Utilize church software systems including Ableton Live, ProPresenter, Vista, RESI, and Capture in weekly ministry operations.

Graceland.Church Search Team Recommendations

Matt comes to Graceland with a wealth of experience in pastoral care and in leading worship through music.  It is evident that he is passionate in his walk with Lord as he leads his wife and 3 children.  Matt exudes a humble confidence as he seeks to engage God’s people in praise and worship. – Ryan Brown

Matt’s love for Jesus and his family has been on display throughout our time with him. He is extremely gifted with talent but even more his character and attitude have jumped off the page as someone I want to walk alongside and do ministry with.  Matt has been serving in worship ministry for over 7 years at a multi-site church excelling in leadership to his team while also, being able to recruit volunteers. – Michael Loy

Matt is a devoted husband, father, and worship leader who has a clear calling to full-time vocational Christian ministry. In addition to being exceptionally gifted musically, Matt is technically proficient in many of the tools and applications used in today’s modern church and worship environment. I believe Matt would be an excellent choice to serve as Lead Worship Pastor at Graceland’s New Albany campus. He brings together musical ability, technical knowledge, a heart for worship, and a genuine desire to serve the local church. I look forward with anticipation to seeing how the Holy Spirit leads Matt, his family, and Graceland as this opportunity is prayerfully considered. – Dan Williamson

Matt would be a wonderful addition to the pastoral team at Graceland Church, New Albany because of his heart to be a “worship pastor” first and a “worship leader” second. His focus is leading the congregation and worship arts team in glorifying God above elevating our preferences and talents. He is a devoted husband and father, an excellent musician and wants to be immersed in the community of Graceland Church.
He looks forward to joining in what God is already doing in the life and culture of Graceland worship that has been established. He desires to shepherd the hearts of members and attenders at Graceland through worship during services and throughout the week.  – Janna McCarty
Matt is a gifted worship leader and faithful follower of Jesus who desires to use his gifts to serve and lead the local church to worship the Lord. He leads and disciples his family, submits to the Lord, and has demonstrated a teachable spirit. Together, Matt and Regi clearly serve as partners in ministry, and I believe their love for the Lord and desire to invest deeply in people would be a tremendous blessing to Graceland. – Jordan Gantenbein