Meet Pastor Matt

Group portrait of a family with six children and a dog, all dressed in formal attire, standing against a dark backdrop.

I was born and raised in Anderson, SC. I received Jesus Christ into my life on August 2, 2003, in the Anderson County Detention Center. I was reading John 19:30-35, and I realized that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. After getting out, I was discipled by Louie Dodd for a year at the Men's Training Center in Belton, S.C., through the Haven of Rest. I later sensed a call to preach, so I moved to Hendersonville, NC, to enroll in Fruitland Baptist Bible College. During that time, I got an email from my wife-to-be, Shannon Griffin, about my mission trips to India. We later dated and got engaged. We got married at New Prospect Baptist Church.

I later took a youth pastor position in Laurens, SC, and went to North Greenville University. Although I still had classes to finish, we moved to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. I double-enrolled in the Master of Divinity at SWBTS and finished my BA in Christian Studies at NGU. I was able to preach my first revival, preach in various churches, and a mentorship program at Travis Avenue Baptist Church under Dr. Michael Dean. I finished four Master's degrees at SWBTS: Master of Theological Studies in Cross-Cultural Missions, MDIV Preaching and Pastoral Ministry, Master of Arts in Christian Education in Counseling, and a Master of Theology in Missions (Th.M.). God has done amazing things in a man saved from a jail cell. 

Later, we were called to New Ellenton, SC, to pastor my first church, then called to Bluffton, SC. After pastoring two churches, I became Associate Pastor/Pastoral Resident in Hardeeville, SC, and Savannah River Baptist Association Evangelist. God worked through this time to get me prepared for First Baptist Church of Goose Creek. In June of 2025, I became the first pastor to get a unanimous vote to become the Lead Pastor. I am currently working on my Doctor of Ministry at Anderson University. My subject for the dissertation includes Training Pastors at the Charleston Baptist Association for Evangelistic Invitations in Preaching.  

We have five wonderful kids: Nate, Cater, Katie, Megan, and Judah. Nate, Carter, and Judah love playing football. Katie and Megan love skating and hanging out with our dog, Henry. My wife homeschools, works toward a master's degree in missions, loves evangelism, and sings at the church. 

Welcome Home,

Pastor Matt McAlister, Th.M.