A Bit About Me
Rev. Matthew Fenn grew up in Windsor, Ontario, directly south of Detroit. As a teenager, he joined the Jehovah's Witnesses and was deeply involved in that religion for many years. However, his Christian friends challenged him to take a closer look at the Bible and its central message concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ. In 2006, Matthew's life took a profound turn when he became a Christian after reading Philippians 3. His newfound faith led him to explore different Evangelical churches for a time. Still, his convictions about Christ and his free forgiveness of sinners made it clear that some aspects of Evangelical Christianity were lacking. Ultimately, Pastor Matthew found his spiritual home in the Lutheran Church, which he is convinced offers the most authentic expression of Biblical Christianity. He has learned through his experiences the importance of keeping the Scriptures central to our faith. By prioritizing Christ and his Word, all other aspects of life will fall into their proper place.
In 2012, First Lutheran Church in Windsor, Ontario, welcomed Matthew to the Lutheran Church. Not long after his reception, the pastor encouraged Matthew to consider pursuing Holy Ministry. He embraced this encouragement and enrolled at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) in St. Catharines, Ontario. Matthew's passion for Christ and his Gospel drew him to the ministry. He has since devoted his life to helping others appreciate the life-giving message of forgiveness. Matthew completed a vicarage in the dual parish at Dryden and Vermillion Bay in northwestern Ontario, two hours north of International Falls, MN, as part of his seminary training. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) from the University of London and a Diploma in Lutheran Theology with Certification for Ordination from CLTS.
On May 25th, 2019, Pastor Fenn received a call to serve as pastor of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stratford, Ontario. He was ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry on Pentecost, 2019. Just eight months into his tenure, COVID-19 brought some of the strictest lockdowns in North America, challenging Pastor Fenn and his congregation in new ways. Despite these challenges, he served God's people at St. Peter's for four years. Pastor Fenn has served as Associate Pastor at Ascension since June 2023. He also serves as Provost of American Lutheran Theological Seminary and serves on the board of Just and Sinner Publishing. Pastor Fenn is always eager to share the good news of Christ with others. He is happy to engage in conversations about the great things God has done for all humanity through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Fenn and his wife have happily been married since 2015. He and Laurin have been blessed by a gracious God with five energetic children, three boys and two girls, who bring them joy and keep them busy. Their shared commitment to family and faith is a cornerstone of their lives, and they are grateful for the many blessings that they have received as a family. They are avid readers, including genres like fantasy and historical fiction, theology, and philosophy. The boys enjoy playing tabletop games with their daddy. The entire family enjoys spending time together outdoors and on hikes.