Matt Barnes is honored and privileged to serve as the Vice President of Formation at Asbury Theological Seminary, beginning in January of 2022. Matt grew up in West Texas, among the oil and football fields. He earned a BA in Psychology from Hardin-Simmons University and an MDiv from George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. Moving to Southern California, Matt completed his PhD in New Testament at Fuller Seminary and served the Church in very diverse settings as a lay leader, church staff member, academic, commissioned missionary, interim pastor, and senior pastor. He was ordained in a Texas Baptist church in 2004, which was subsequently recognized by Transformation Ministries in Southern California in 2018.

Matt loves Jesus, his wife (Alida), his three boys (Myron, Smith, and Toby), prayer, calling people to the grand adventure of following Jesus, community development, the academic study of the Bible, theology, pastoral counseling, writing, preaching, playing guitar, hiking, camping, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Chicago Cubs. Seeing the Church change the world by making disciples and not merely converts is Matt’s deepest desire and fulfilling Jesus’ prayer in John 17 for unity among those who believe in the Apostles’ message is a close second. 

Email : matt.barnes@asburyseminary.edu