I was blessed to serve at my last church for 17 years as a worship, kids, and student pastor. However, I began to sense God stirring something new in my heart. A growing desire for church planting wouldn’t go away. I didn’t know where it would happen or how God would make it clear, but I knew He was calling me to step toward something beyond my comfort. What I didn’t realize at the time was that God was already preparing the next step long before I was aware of it.

At a conference in Westerville, I met Pastor Matt Read from Jersey Church. That meeting was no accident. Unknown to me, he had been praying for a church planter, and someone had given him my name the week before we ever crossed paths. When Pastor Matt shared Jersey’s For the Kingdom vision—to reach 5,000 people, plant 10 churches, and send 20 missionaries—I knew instantly that I wanted to be part of it. The way the Lord confirmed this calling again and again made it clear that this was more
than a nudge. I reached a point where I felt saying “no” would be walking in disobedience to what God had made clear.

Since joining Jersey Church as the SEND Pastor, I’ve seen firsthand that God truly goes before us. As we are preparing to plant Reclamation Church in Johnstown, God is opening doors and aligning people to help fulfill Jersey's vision. I’m grateful to play a
small part in a Kingdom movement that is reclaiming lives for Christ and sending people where the gospel is needed most.

- Matt Clark, Church Planter