Matt Shively
Position
Pastor of 5th-8th Grade
Family
Wife, Rachel Shively
Chloe, 0
Interests
Jesus
My family
Baseball
Football
Golf (although I am no good)
Writing
Listening to "Adventures in Odyssey"
Favorite Books
Under the Overpass - Michael Yankowski
The Shack - William P Young
Through Painted Desserts - Don Miller
Jesus Wants to Save Christians - Rob Bell
I am Not, but I Know I Am - Louie Giglio
Irresistible Revolution - Shane Claiborne
Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, but Nobody Wants to Die - David Crowder and Mike Hogan
Favorite TV Shows
Baseball Tonight
American Idol
The Office
Smallville
Kings
Heroes
Yes, Dear
Favorite Sports Teams
D-Backs
AZ Cardinals
Suns
Cubs
Background
Matt grew up in several different states including Kansas, Texas, and Nebraska. Rachel was born and raised in Strongsville, Ohio. Matt went to Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois where he received his B.A. in Christian Ministries with an emphasis in Youth Ministry. Upon graduating in 2005, he moved to Arizona and started as an intern at The Grove. Matt was licensed as a Pastor in May of 2008, and currently pastors the Zone (5th and 6th grade) and Ka’os (7th and 8th grade) ministries at The Grove.
Passion in Ministry
My passion in ministry has to do with seeing the transformation process from when a student enters my ministry to when they enter high school. The tween and early teen years are some of the most influential and important years in the life of a student. During those years they make important decisions as to how to live their life. I have a passion to teach the Bible and form relationships with students. My hope and prayer is to see my students start or strengthen their relationship with Jesus during the years I have to speak into their lives. Seeing a student truly own their faith, is one of the many blessings of my ministry.