Matthew Bell Associate Pastor for Family Ministries
Pastor Matt was born and raised in Arizona. He attended Deer Valley High School and competed on the wrestling team. After graduation he attended Arizona Christian University where he served as both the Media Director and President of the Student Life Council. While studying he served in a middle school ministry in Fountain Hills, AZ and then served as a youth pastor in Phoenix, AZ.
In 2011, he graduated from ACU with a B.S. in Secondary Education with an emphasis in English and minor in Bible. Upon graduation he received the “Outstanding Student in Education” award. Also in 2011, he started teaching English courses at Valley Vista High School in Surprise, AZ. While working there he took on many additional roles including assistant wrestling coach, student council advisor, PLC lead, intervention coordinator, and peer mentor.
In 2012, he was awarded the “Teacher of the Year” by the VFW Post 10695.
In 2013, he graduated from Purdue University Calumet with a Masters of Science in Educational Leadership.
In 2015, he started teaching 6th grade Language Arts at Canyon Ridge School in Surprise, AZ. While teaching he took on additional roles as the student council advisor, Rachel’s Challenge sponsor, grade-level lead, and writing professional development presenter.
In 2016, he reached the advanced level of the professional development program for the Dysart Unified School District.
During his years as a teacher he kept volunteering in the youth ministry for his church in Surprise, AZ. However, in 2016 he felt the call to go into full-time ministry.
Matthew came on staff at GCC in June of 2016 as the Associate Pastor for Family Ministries, and was ordained on December 13th, 2016.
In 2017, Matthew started the Masters of Divinity with the emphasis of Biblical and Theological Studies at Phoenix Seminary.
He and his wife Rachel were married in 2008. They have three children and live in Surprise, AZ. In addition to studying and teaching the Bible, Pastor Matt enjoys eating sushi with his wife, watching Ohio State Football, coaching wrestling, and playing games with his children.
