About

My name is Matt Judkins, and I am an Elder in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church. More than anything else, I try to live as a passionate and faithful disciple of Jesus.

I grew up in rural Southeastern Oklahoma and graduated high school with 13 other classmates. From there, I pursued and finished a Bachelors degree in Biology and then began a PhD program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. To make a long story short, after I finished the Masters portion of my degree, I left to pursue a call to full-time ordained ministry.

I worked for a few years at Chapel Hill UMC in Oklahoma City, while teaching part time as an Adjunct Professor at Oklahoma City Community College. My wife Nanci, our newborn daughter Emma, and I moved to Kentucky in December 2002, and I entered Asbury Theological Seminary.

We moved back to the Oklahoma Conference after I graduated in 2005, and I was appointed to Quinton and Canadian, a two-point charge in the McAlester District. Our son Caleb was born later that year. In May 2008, I finished the probationary process and was ordained as a full Elder in the conference.

I have been serving as Minister of Discipleship at Church of the Servant United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City since October 2008. A short time later, our son Blake was born at the beginning of 2009. In May 2010, I graduated from Drew University with a Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development.

It’s an exciting time as we experience life together as a family of five.

In my spare time over the last few years, I began this blog as a place where I could think and write, two things that are inseparable in my life. It has also ended up being a place where I can connect with folks I might not otherwise connect with. If it serves to ignite a few thoughts or a good conversation, then it will far exceed my meager expectations.

It should probably be said that all views on this blog represent my own opinion and not necessarily the opinion of The United Methodist Church or any of its affiliates. That is especially true for anything that is not helpful, charitable, or useful. On the other hand, anything useful, charitable, or helpful was surely formulated within the rich connection that is the United Methodist Church!