Matthew will be made Deacon on 13th September in Chelmsford Cathedral.
He is 35 years old and married to Rachael. They have two children, Evelyn (6) and Albert (2). Before training for Ordination, Matthew served for twelve years in The British Army as a musician, serving with The Royal Artillery and The Parachute Regiment. He was lucky enough to serve all over the world, in many different capacities and roles – and also to witness the breadth of human society. Although he had felt a vocation to the Priesthood since his childhood days as a chorister at Wells Cathedral, Matthew is the first to admit that he ran from it again and again. When he finally “gave in and said yes to God”, things all fell into place, leading to eventual training for Ordination at St Stephen’s House, Oxford. He and his family are now settled in Brentwood, where he has begun serving his title at the church of St. Thomas of Canterbury.