Matt has felt a call to ministry since high school. He planned on going to Bible college right out of high school and becoming a youth pastor. However, his father asked him not to, stating, “You’ll starve to death, son.” Honoring his parent's wishes, Matt earned a B.S. in General Science.

After graduation, Matt and Jenn were married and moved to Bend, OR, where Jenn studied to become a firefighter and paramedic. Matt volunteered in youth ministry and built furniture.  

Jenn was accepted to a nursing school in Ohio, so the Johnsons headed east. This move was the start of a seed of opportunities for Matt. Matt sought out youth ministry opportunities and supported the family through various jobs including a book stacker, mortgage broker, bank operations, restaurant server, and realtor. While a realtor, Matt learned many valuable lessons in time management and relationship building.

In 2007, the Johnsons -- with their first child -- moved cross country, settling in Yakima, WA. Matt held down several jobs at the same time: restaurant server, realtor, and medtech at an assisted living facility. Jenn worked at the same assisted living facility. This is when Matt obtained his CDL and traveled the country. This job provided a great income and opportunity for study (Matt earned his MBA in marketing and supply chain management while on the road), but his family suffered from his absence. During this difficult time, their church in Yakima was very supportive and caring, especially when the Johnson's third child was born and required hospitalization.

After that Matt obtained local work, and the family became very involved in church, serving in the children’s Sunday School and VBS. Jennifer also found employment caring for medically fragile children so that they could attend school. Jenn discovered great satisfaction from helping these children.

During this time Matt once again felt a call to ministry and started attending Martin Luther College to become a staff minister. After some time in study and the loss of financial assistance for tuition, the Johnsons were led to Village Missions and the Contenders Discipleship Initiative (CDI).

Once again the Johnson family packed up and moved to the Portland area to attend CDI and be mentored by Village Missionary Robert Fletcher at the Bible Church of Dilley. They served there as youth leader, Sunday school teachers, pulpit fill and (thanks to Covid) in online ministry. 

In June 2023 they started serving as full-time Village Missionaries in Morton, Washington. 

Would you consider supporting the Johnson family and the ministry they have been called to with Village Missions? We would be grateful for your prayers and/or financial support.