The Rev. Dr. Matt Hook, Senior Pastor at Dexter United Methodist Church (Dexter, Michigan), will make a presentation at the WCA’s Sixth Global Gathering – More Than Conquerors – in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Saturday, May 7, 2022.
“Matt is one of most humble, kind, and compassionate pastors you will ever meet,” said the Rev. Keith Boyette, President of the WCA. “A pastor with a servant’s heart, he leads by example, and it shows. During his 18 years at Dexter UMC, the church has experienced numerical growth, but even more important, the congregation is well known for its discipleship making, its missions, and its heart for the kingdom of God. I’m so pleased that Matt has accepted our invitation to speak at our Sixth Global Gathering!”
Hook’s presentation at More Than Conquerors will focus on Hebrews 12.1-3, where the author challenges his readers to “run with perseverance” before a “great cloud of witnesses.”
A graduate of DePauw University (Greencastle, Indiana), Hook received a Bachelor of Music degree. After completing his Master of Divinity degree at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary (Evanston, Illinois), he went on to earn his Doctor of Ministry degree at Asbury Theological Seminary (Wilmore, Kentucky). Prior to his present appointment at Dexter UMC, he served at Friendship UMC (Bolingbrook, Illinois), Christ UMC (Memphis, Tennessee), and Birmingham First UMC (Birmingham, Michigan).
“My passions are worship, preaching, singing and music, being pastor not just to our church but to our community,” said Hook. “I take the mission very seriously, but I don’t take myself quite so seriously.”
Beyond the local church, Hook has served for over 25 years as a leader with World Methodist Evangelism, under the direction of Rev. Dr. Eddie Fox and Rev. Dr. Kim Reisman. He has led many worship services and workshops in multi-ethnic gatherings. He also serves as a board of trustees member for both the United Methodist Retirement Communities and the Michigan Annual Conference. One of his greatest passions is his relationship with Healing the Children, an organization that helps children from outside the U.S. receive critical medical care at the University of Michigan Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. Over the years, he and his wife Leigh have hosted nine children in their home for two to six months while they are treated for life-threatening conditions.
“Matt is one of the most winsome and gregarious evangelists I know,” said the Rev. Tom Anderson, Senior Pastor at Thrive Church in Highland, Michigan, and President of the WCA’s Michigan Regional Chapter. “He is one of the most effective pastors in Michigan and in our denomination. He is uplifting, encouraging and full of the Holy Spirit. I am inspired by every moment I spend with him, and I’d be glad to listen to him any Sunday. He’s a small group junkie who wants to go to heaven and take as many people as he can along with him!”
Hook and his wife Leigh have four adult children, one grandchild, and one on the way. They live in Dexter, Michigan.
More Than Conquerors, the WCA’s Sixth Global Gathering, will be held at Kingsway Christian Church with seating for 1,260 people. People wanting to attend the gathering at the host site should register as soon as possible. In addition to the host site there will be numerous simulcast sites across the United States where people can also participate in the WCA’s Sixth Global Gathering.
To learn much more about the gathering and to register to attend, visit More Than Conquerors online.