Matt grew up on Long Island, NY and believed the good news of Jesus at a young age. After completing a degree in religious studies and music at Vanderbilt University in 2006, Matt returned to NY to serve on the staff of his home church. He moved to DC to participate in the CHBC Pastoral Internship in 2009. Following the internship, Matt worked as a music teacher for a year, then joined the staff at CHBC as a Pastoral Assistant in the summer of 2010. He completed his Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2015. He and his wife Erica have one daughter and one son. Matt now also serves as an elder at CHBC. You can find Matt's congregational hymns, including lyrics, sheet music, and chord charts, at www.mattmerkermusic.com.