Hello! My name is Matt Patch and I live in the ginormous town of Greer, South Cakalaki. I have 3 roomates Gracie (dog), Oliver and Loyd (cats). In order to keep the tv and lights on I am a Realtor with Prudential C. Dan Joyner. My hobbies include mountain biking, camping, fishin’, and pretty much anything else outdoors. I am currently playing basketball, volleyball, softball and bowling in club and mens leagues. I attend St. Mark Methodist Church in Greenwood, SC (about an hour away from my house) where my best friend Jason preaches that Good News. I attended Brookwood Church in Greenville for about 8 years and still stay involved with their mens ministry.
FAMILY:
I was blessed by growing up in a loving Christian home with supportive parents. My mom has shown me the true importance of faith and belief in prayer, especially through tough times. My father is definately the most intelligent person I’ve ever met and has always been there with answers and advice when I needed it most. I have an older brother Nathan who I am extremely competitive with in sports but it’s like the Clemson and South Carolina rivalry… it’s a little one sided. Ha, just kidding Nathan. My little sister Jessica is married (Richard Bolan) and they have a 6 month old son named Eli who looks just like his uncle. Eli has talked to me but no one believes it… I don’t understand. I have 2 more nephews, Matt and Stewart and a niece Taylor. Matt and Taylor are twins and live in North Carolina. Stewart lives with his parents Jason and Amber in Hodges, SC (he’s not my blood nephew but the kid is awesome, and calls me uncle corndog).
FAITH:
I was saved when I was in seventh grade at chapel after Clayton King spoke… but it wasn’t until high school that my life really had a drastic change and I started living for Him. It was then that I started getting more involved with bible studies with my accountability partner and best friend Kyle. After high school my life took a turn for the worse, and by turn I should say downward spiral. Being the life of the party became first and foremost in my life and Jesus took the back seat, however I’m just glad he was still riding with me or who knows where I’d be right now. He never let me get too far… Two years ago my roomate talked me into going on a mission trip with him, I had always had a heart for missions but always felt like I was too busy and made excuses. At this time I was bartending at night at the local college bar and was getting sick of working until 3/4am every night so I figured it’d be a good vacation. God had big plans for me and I didn’t even see it coming! On this trip several things happened. 1. I realized I was not living my life the way God wanted me to… 2. God took the burden for missions that he already had laid on my heart and made it ten times worse… 3. I met Jason Wilson, who soon became my best friend, mentor, and pastor. I wouldn’t be going on the World Race if it weren’t for Jason and St. Mark.
My biggest fear is being inadequate… and that my past follows me… but as the song goes “they’re all behind you, they’ll never find you… your sins are forgotten, they’re on the bottom of the ocean floor” (it just came up on my itunes how convenient). My prayer for the World Race is that God will break me… strip me down… and erase all of my fears, make me passionate and give me words to speak because I can’t do it on my own. I want an open mind and open heart and to go in with zero expectations. I’m yours God mold me and use me…
