Matt serves as the President and CEO of Awana, a global leader in child discipleship. As a researcher in child discipleship and children’s ministry, Matt has commissioned 14 research projects since 2013, including a study conducted by Barna Group called, Children’s Ministry in a New Reality. He’s a board member at large for the National Association of Evangelicals and is the author or co-author of eight books, most notably Forming Faith, winner of a 2025 Christian Book Award, RESILIENT: Child Discipleship and the Fearless Future of the Church, and The Story We Tell Our Children. He’s also the co-founder of the Child Discipleship Forum and D6 Conference. Matt and his wife Katie have been involved in children’s ministry for more than 25 years and spend their time in Nashville. They have two sons and a daughter-in-law. For more information go to www.ChildDiscipleship.com and www.Awana.org.