Leadership

Teaching Elder

Matthew Statler has been the teaching elder at Sierra Vista Baptist Church since September 1, 2019.

Matthew Statler,

I was raised in Senegal, West Africa. My parents were missionaries (supported by Sierra Vista Baptist Church among others) and so I was exposed to the gospel early in life. God drew me at a very early age and I committed my life to Christ. I attended a missionary kid school, in the city that my parents worked, and graduated in 2003.

After High School I joined the Army as a Cavalry Scout and deployed to Iraq for four tours. The deployments and life choices I made led me to a very dark time in my life. I walked away from the Lord and lived my life as I wanted to. This led me down a road of alcohol abuse. While battling alcohol addiction, combined with PTSD and depression, my life spiraled out of control. Eventually I was medically retired from the Army after 10 years of service.

During this process, God never let go of me. God used my life circumstances to draw me toward His purpose for my life. He pursued me relentlessly and, eventually, I submitted to a calling to ministry. I attended the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, graduating with a degree in Christian Ministry. I also attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where I received an Mdiv with a concentration in Biblical Counseling. I am certified with The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors.

God’s love is never ceasing and His grace abounds. He placed me here as a Pastor of Sierra Vista Baptist Church. My passion is equipping the saints for the work of the ministry and walking with veterans and first responders through the trauma related trials they face.

I am married to Jessica Statler and we are blessed with four children, Edward (10), Silas (8), Charlotte (4), and Samuel (2)

Here at Sierra Vista Baptist we would love to have you become part of our family.