Matt Shantz
Lead Pastor
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3, "Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." Matt considers it a privilege to do some of the watering at Central through the preaching of the Word, vision casting, developing leaders, and saying less sarcastic and cynical jokes than he used to. But watching God bring growth to people's lives in and through Central is what he considers his greatest privilege.
Matt is married and has two boys. Central drew them in from the moment they set foot in the building in 2010. Matt is honoured to sit on the Churches Together national leadership team (a group of pastors committed to collaborative church planting across Canada) and the TGC-BC council. He likes to read great books and then interview the authors on his podcast, Deep Thoughts (exploring all sorts of aspects of the Christian faith).
Favourite Quotes
God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.
C.S. Lewis
The Christian Gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time.
Timothy Keller
I find that athletic clothes are perfect for just sitting around in.
Demetri Martin
Favourite Verses
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…we preach Christ crucified.
1 Corinthians 1:18, 23
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
1 Timothy 1:15
To reach Matt please email
Michelle Esau | Executive Assistant - michelle@centralcommunity.ca