Interview with Pastor Matt Hall

In our commitment to Daring Faith, our members are filling God’s house with thousands of new worshipers at our weekend services. Part of meeting this goal means growing through dedicated leadership and campus pastors who are committed to helping build God’s kingdom.

As we reported in February, Saddleback South Manila is entering a new season of growth after commissioning new campus pastor, Matt Hall. Together with his wife Natalie and their three boys, the family made the decision to dedicate their lives to discipling members and reaching the community for Christ.

Making this new role official was Matt’s recent move to South Manila in early March! He immediately took on the leadership position by shepherding members during weekend services. Between now and Easter, he intends to help his family prepare for their big move to South Manila where they will join him in April.

Although relocating to a foreign country is never easy, Matt feels God has been shaping him for the Philippines for over a decade.

“My wife Natalie grew up in the Philippines as a missionary kid,” says Matt. “After hearing her stories and visiting the country on a few trips, I fell in love with the Filipino people. For the last 14 years, we’ve been discussing the possibility of someday moving to the Philippines to do ministry. Now, in God’s perfect timing, it’s happening.” 

Being a leader at Saddleback is nothing new to the experienced pastor, who has been leading student ministries at our Irvine South campus since 2011. With over 17 years of pastoral experience, the couple has led five PEACE Trips to the Philippines, helped launch South Manila’s youth program, and has remarkable family connections throughout that country.

Not only did Natalie spend 22 years in the Philippines, but she also speaks one of the local languages. She has has been a huge advocate of Purpose Driven Church strategies since childhood. Having lived in the Philippines since 1975, Natalie’s parents are pastors of a PDC church in Lucena City, and currently train and equip leaders to plant other Purpose Driven Churches.

Despite these advantages, Matt says they’re praying that the transition will be smooth for his family. “We’re moving across the globe, taking our kids out of their schools, and leaving a ministry role in Irvine South that I really love. But God is opening doors, and we’ve already found a house and signed a lease in South Manila!”

Matt says there was no doubt that this was God’s will. Through prayer and guidance from mentors, he felt it was the right time to make the move. With a vision to develop strong and devoted disciples of Christ, Matt hopes to build on the solid foundation of dedicated members and servant hearts that make up the South Manila campus. He also plans to focus on the five purposes for God’s people and the church: Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, and Evangelism.

“We will do all we can to reach the lost,” says Matt. “We will share the hope and love of Jesus all around the Santa Rosa are of South Manila.

For more information about Saddleback South Manila, visit http://saddleback.com/southmanila.