His degree in Biblical Studies is from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and emphasizes Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is happily married to Traci and they have three delightful children: Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. Matthew’s books aspire to minister to believers with love, equip them for service in God’s glory, and nurture the body of Christ with edification through His work. He hopes that all who read his content will feel the loving touch of God’s encouragement and guidance.

INTERVIEW:

How long have you been writing? How many books or series have you published?

Since 2015 but I stopped writing from 2018-2023. I am on book 5 of somewhere around 15-18 stories that I intend to write in a world I call Kedoshim.

What inspired you to write? How does your faith impact your writing?

My Mother is the person who inspired me the most when it comes to writing. I am learning that with each story I write, my faith deepens and grows through the stories I write. I spend so much time trying to find answers to pointed questions about faith and connecting the dots between history and scripture that every story forces me to face my own struggles and that is reflected in my stories.

Do you have a favorite author or book? Why is that your favorite?

My Favorite book by far is The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. The reason why is because reading that little tiny book changed my whole perspective on faith and showed me that there was so much more to it that just accepting it, it’s a life we live each and every day.

What is your favorite genre to read/write?

I am becoming more fascinated with Christian Fantasy than anything right now, but most of the books on my TBR (to be read) list, or even my TBW (to be written) are in the biblical fiction genre.

What do you like most about what you do? What are your biggest challenges?

I have a pretty severe diagnosis with ADHD, GAD (general anxiety disorder), Dyslexia, and OCD. All of these factors are things I battle every day when it comes to finding my voice. What I am learning is that none of those factors have to hold me back from what God has given me to do. The struggle to find the confidence to share my voice with the world is probably my biggest challenge, but also my biggest blessing, other than my faith.

Do you have a favorite character in your most recent release?

The Hope of Inheritance was a difficult story for me to write. In fact, I delayed it several months because I was so overwhelmed by the story that I had to put it down for a while so I could grow in my own faith more in order to finish it. In putting it aside the character of Nathaniel, who is the scribe writing the story, was born. He quickly became one of the most complex characters I’ve ever written and there is a lot more of him to come in the World of Kedoshim. His story and mine are connected in ways I never imagined. In truth, every character I write is connected to me in some way or another, but Nathaniel has a special place in my heart for very specific reasons that I’m not quite ready to reveal just yet.

What are you working on now? What can we expect in the future? 

I am working on a book that focuses on the healing at the Pool of Bethesda. I introduced the character named Rahmiel very subtly in the book that I released this summer called The Hope of Inheritance. He is the man who was lame for 38 years. However, my character will not be an older man. In the story, Rahmiel actually became lame as a child and will be in his early 40s. It’s a story about overcoming grief and embracing the love of God. It will introduce characters such as John the Apostle and bring new life to some of my characters who already exist in The World of Kedoshim, Simeon Cyrene and Onesimus. However, I have something else that will come out before that which is Part 2 of my Episodic Series, The Ephesus Pages. Part 2 is called Mysteries in Ephesus, and it will focus on Paul’s ministry in Ephesus during the 3 years he stayed there on the second missionary journey. Characters like John Mark, Timothy, Aristarchus, and Luke will return. This will be another 10 episodes and end just before the famed Riots of Ephesus begin.

Do you have any fun facts to mention? (what is your go-to snack when writing/reading? Daily habits…)

Posted-Note Philosophy is the tool I use most often when mapping out my stories. Basically, I turn my bedroom wall into one of those chaotic looking theory walls you see in suspense movies that map every little detail out visually in front of me. Because of my struggles with ADHD and Dyslexia having that visual representation helps me keep track of the whirlwind of thoughts that circle around in my mind when I’m developing and researching a story. It serves as a guidepost grounding my ideas in reality.

What would you like to say to readers? (What do you hope readers take-away from your book?)

Oooh, this is always a very hard question for me to answer. My goal is always to present the message of faith in a way that is relatable, but also so that it gives the biblical narrative a voice that tells the reader, “These people were human just like you. They had their own struggles they had to overcome, and they were far from perfect.” So many times, we look at the biblical story and struggle with finding ways to connect with it, at least that has always been my struggle. I want readers to know that whatever they are facing in life, that there is always hope on the horizon, a light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak… well… write. My hope is that those who read my stories will find something they can relate to and learn from. With my stories, it’s not about getting on the best seller list. I mean that would be awesome, but the reason I write is to bring encouragement to the world around me in relatable ways that teach us all, including myself, that there is something worth fighting for. (Sorry for stealing your thunder, Samwise…)

ABOUT THE BOOK:
397 pages
Released June 15, 2025
Lanterns of Light Penworks
Available in Kindle and Paperback

Book Blurb: One Story Still Untold. Four Unlikely Authors. Together their Message will Speak to Many. The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place– on the surface. That is until a great fire burned and destroyed most of it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to share a message of truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of the calling to go forth and preach. The message has always been clear; The hope of our inheritance is Christ living within each of us. In the echoes of persecution, sorrow, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering. Each one of these men has endured their own journey for such a time as this, and have been given a different message they were called to teach. Together, they must rebuild what has been lost as they face the painful circumstances of the world they have inherited from the founders of their faith. Silas, Luke, John-Mark, and Timothy, all knew Peter and Paul and the message God spoke through them. The time for these four individuals to stand in the gap between faith and reality has finally come. Will they complete this mysterious letter before they are all killed just like those who came before them? This story is the epic journey these four brothers in Christ, and their scribe, experienced as God prepared their hearts to write that Letter and how HE led them through it. Are you ready for the Journey?

The World of Kedoshim:

Kedoshim (Holy Ones) is a fictional world inspired by Biblical Events. Within Kedoshim, you will discover the stories of historical figures, both well-known and lesser-known, who contributed to building the Early New Testament Church. This is their journey, and the roots of those who are more widely recognized, shaping the world as we know it today.

“Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.” Philemon. 1:7 NLT