Interview with Matthew Riggins

Feb. 2, 2016. 10:15 a.m. DeMoss Grand Lobby.

Q: How long have you been involved with missions?

A: Over 10 years, involved in youth ministry for eight years, working with Global Partners for about three years

Q: When did you feel called to serve in this way?

A: Worked part time in youth ministry for a while, but left the door open to full time ministry… “When God opens a door, we’ll pursue it…”, took teens to Haiti with Global Partners two times, went “all in” with Global Partners three years ago.

Q: Did you feel called to a specific area?

A: “It’s always kind of evolving… We feel called to serve in the local church… meaning the Body of Christ…”, “My passion is building bridges for smaller churches,” bridge from church to overseas.

Q: What was your first mission experience?

A: Inner city missions at the age of 14 or 15, wasn’t a good experience, walked away a little bitter… surrendered heart to God around age 24, took trips to Peru and India and then was “all in”

Q: What has been your biggest area of growth?

A: Faith

Q: In your experience, what has been the biggest evidence of God’s glory?

A: Seeing transformation in team members, allowing God to use them and hearing stories, seeking someone go from wondering to knowing

Q: How do you remain spirit led during a trip?

A: It’s pretty easy during a trip. God’s strength is the only thing that gets you through… surrounded by people who are all in… coming back is the hard part… you must depend on God to protect hearts and minds

Q: What do you do specifically on trips?

A: Prepare details- logistics, working with co-leaders, spiritual wellbeing of teams, lead worship, email prayer updates, making sure teams are functioning as scheduled, invest in translators

Q: What is the most impactful trip you’ve been on?

A: My most recent trip to India- I don’t try to compare, but we dedicated 16 wells, the work we put into it is paying off

Q: What piece of advice do you offer to those who feel called to missions?

A: Don’t lock yourself into one specific area. Be open to taking advantage of opportunities- dive in!