Rev. Matt Friend was recently ordained by the Christian Universalist Association. He holds a Master of Leadership (MAL) degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (2016), and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Kairos University (2024).
Matt was born and raised in St. Albans, WV where he currently lives with his wife Sarah, celebrating 24 years of marriage this summer. They have three children: Katie (21, a recent graduate of Marshall University and newlywed to Isaiah), Riley (18, about to begin her freshman year at Marshall University), and Kadyn (12, about to jump into middle school). They’ve also adopted two Goldendoodles, Queso and Wasabi.
He has served in full-time gospel ministry since 2002, being originally ordained in 2005. After serving in several pastorates in West Virginia and Kentucky for 20 years, he launched into Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and vocational chaplaincy in 2022––now a full-time Staff Chaplain for St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, WV. He enjoys caring for people of all traditions and backgrounds, helping patients and caregivers connect to their own spirituality, story, and personal meaning to enhance our collective healing and wholeness.
Matt’s theological journey has been as adventurous as his career, leading him into the beautiful and inclusive world of Christian Universalism. Whether sitting with his hospital patients or teaching from a pulpit, Matt carries the inner hope of Julian of Norwich, believing that, one day, “All shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.”
Congratulations Matt! Blessings upon your chaplaincy ministry at St. Mary’s!
Thank you, Vernon! So kind of you to reach out. Same to you!
Congratulations Matt and God speed in your ministry!
Thank you, Robert! Same to you, friend!
Congratulations Pastor Matt📖🙏🏾🙏! God 🙌!
Congrats
hey brother friend, you may not remember me but I was a young man at a church where you preached at often years ago. I would like to reconnect with you if you have some time.
Hey Matt so glad to see you have landed well. I miss you brother and how you always cared about everyone. Would love to share a cup of coffee with you some day.