Calvary's Leaders
Matt Doan
What do you do at Calvary?
I wear 3 unique hats hear at Calvary Church. I am the Pastor of Young Adults, a ministry to people in their 20's. I am the also the Pastor of Local Outreach, overseeing the homegrown ministries and non-profit partnerships that reach out to our Orange County community with the love of Jesus Christ. Finally I oversee our Lifelabs, greeter teams, visitor follow-up, New to Calvary lunches and evangelism training as the Pastor of Connections.
How did you come to Calvary and how long have you been here?
I came to Calvary Church as a volunteer in the High School Ministry in the summer of 1998. I have been serving on staff at the Church since January of 1999.
What is your educational background and training?
I attended Biola University, majoring in baseball (and communication/public relations) and minoring in Biblical Studies, graduating in 1998. After a five year lay off, I enrolled at Talbot Seminary and graduated in 2008 with a Master's degree in Biblical and Theological Studies.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Santa Cruz, California and lived there for the first 18 years of my life before moving down to Southern California to attend College. I have lived in Orange County for the past 10 years.
Tell us about your family...
I am married to beautiful Marie (since 2002) and we have been blessed with 2 children, Lily (born in 2005) and Samuel (born in 2007). My in-laws Paul and Joanne Mittmann attend Calvary as well. We also have 3 goldfish and a neighborhood cat named Gilbert who drinks our sprinkler water.
Describe how you popped the Question:
I asked Marie to marry me on December 14th, 2001. We started off with bagels and a book reading at Craig Park in Brea. Then I surprised her by driving to John Wayne Airport and getting on a plane to Northern California. It was just after 9/11 and I was so stressed security would confiscate the engagement ring hidden in my backpack, but it made it through without Marie or security noticing. Then a limo picked us up at the airport in Northern California and drove us to my childhood home in Scotts Valley, Ca. We then went on a treasure hunt through Santa Cruz and winded up on a cool bench overlooking the Monterey Bay where I got down on one knee and asked Marie to marry me. We then went to my parents house for dinner and flew home that evening to celebrate with her side of the family in Orange County. It was a great day!
What is your favorite memory at Calvary Church?
My time as the High School Pastor at Calvary is a time that is so special to me. The camps, the Wednesday nights, the missions trips. I loved being a Pastor to high school students. I still think it is the best, most exciting ministry at Calvary Church! I have also loved the baptisms I have gotten to be part of, it is such a joy to celebrate what Jesus has done in changing people’s lives.
Who have been the spiritual Influencers in your life?
My Parents, Larry and Susan Doan, Jeff Biddle (fellow Pastor at Calvary), Ed Noble (Pastor at Journey Community Church), Dan Kimball (Pastor at Vintage Faith Church), Henry Holloman and Victor Rhee (Professors at Talbot Seminary), John Piper, Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler
Favorite place you’ve been in the world and where do you want to go next?
My favorite places in the world are Pebble Beach, California, Oakland Alameda County Colisuem (Go A’s), my parent house in Aptos, California and the Hotel Bel-Air near UCLA. Marie and I want to go to Germany in the next 5 years to visit the town her Dad was born in.
When I can't be found at Calvary, I can be found...
At Starbucks, at home playing with my kids or working in the yard, hanging out at Balboa Island with the family, sitting in our backyard listening to Sermon Podcasts on my i-pod or at a Lens Crafters continuing in my quest to find the exact same pair of glasses as Eric Wakeling.
Hidden Talent?
I once tried out for the Fox Sports show, Sports Geniuses because I am such a sports nerd.
What do you count as the greatest invention of the last 100 years?
The Snuggy.
On what reality show would you most want to be a contestant?
Fear Factor or Extreme Home Make-over