Pastor Matthew C. Manning, B.Th

Pastor Matthew C. Manning was not always a man living his life for Jesus Christ.  In his early adolescent years, he was confused about his identity and purpose in life and began to rebel and isolate himself from his peers and family.  Feeling out of place and alone, he plunged deeply into homosexuality.   Instead of facing his issues, he ran.  After high school, he entered  the United States Coast Guard, where he served his country for seven years.  During this time, Matthew received two Commandant Letters of Commendation.  However, his early years in the Coast Guard were far from glamorous.  Matthew lived a double life – manly rescuer in the Coast Guard by day…and erotic dancer for money in gay clubs by night.  Little did he know his life was about to change forever in the summer of 1989.

It was early June when, at nineteen years of age, Matthew was brutally assaulted at Baker Beach in San Francisco, California.  This tragic event caused him to question the purpose of his life and his behaviors.  This was the beginning of a journey that led him from the road of life he was on to an intersection where he came face to face with his Creator, Jesus Christ.

Shortly after receiving Jesus as his Savior, Matthew experienced a dramatic deliverance from his desires of homosexuality.  However, on January 22, 1990, he was given a devastating diagnosis - HIV positive.  By late 1993, he was diagnosed with full-blown AIDS and was hospitalized. Although Pastor Matthew was faced with certain death, he sought even harder to know his loving Savior in a deeper way, believing God would heal him.  Then, in early January of 1994, a miracle happened - his AIDS went into a state of remission.  Then, on November 27, 1994, another miracle happened - Matthew was diagnosed for the first time HIV negative and has consistently tested HIV negative ever since!  The road Matthew now walks  is one of knowing his purpose in life, hand in hand with Jesus Christ!

Matthew became a licensed Minister in 1997.  In June of 1998, Pastor Matthew received a two-year biblical studies diploma and was awarded the Donald McKenzie Award for Christian Leadership at The King's College in Van Nuys, California.  During the course of his studies, he met his wife, Christa, who attended the college as well, who graduated with a one year certificate in biblical studies.  They were married on November 21, 1998.

During his biblical studies, Pastor Matthew also assisted Dr. Jack Hayford and Dr. Paul Chappell at the Jack W. Hayford School of Pastoral Nurture at The Church On The Way in Van Nuys, California.  After nearly three years of service at The Church On The Way, Matthew left his position to enter into full-time ministry.  He is the founder and president of LightHouse World Evangelism, Inc., a para-church, 501-C (3) ministry organization that travels around the world holding evangelistic outreaches and sharing the love of Jesus Christ to the hurting. Matthew and his wife are standing in faith, believing for an outpouring of God's Spirit to bring healing and restoration to those that are downcast.

Pastor Matthew re-enrolled in the King’s College and achieved high honors (magna cum laude) with a bachelor's of theology in Biblical Counseling in June of 2007.  He was also selected to the National Delta Epsilon Chi Honor Society.  For pictures of his graduation, click here. 

Pastor Matthew is currently working on his Master's of Divinity at the The King's Seminary. In June 2009, Pastor Matthew graduated with his Graduate Certificate in Christian Ministry. For pictures of his graduation, click here. Once he completes his masters program, he intends to continue working towards a Doctorate of Ministry at The King's Seminary.

Pastor Matthew, after helping start the Jack Hayford School of Pastoral Nurture in 1997, has also personally attended the Jack Hayford School of Pastoral Nurtureas a participant. The School of Pastoral Nurture is a Leadership Advancement Program, which focuses on increasing ministry effectiveness of pastors and leaders and facilitating personal growth and renewal. These consultations involve a small group of pastors (limited to 35-45) in which they spend an intensive week with Pastor Jack Hayford in disciplined reflection and interaction. Pastor Matthew completed all four consultations receiving college and Seminary credit.

Consultation I (March 15-19, 2004)
The Pastor's Personal Life, with Perspectives on the Congregation and Its Ministry (Click here to see Certificate)
Consultation II (October 17-21, 2005)
The Pastor's Public Life, with Perspectives on Preaching and Passion in Ministry (Click here to see Certificate or here for Group Picture)
Consultation III (June 15-19, 2009)
The Pastor's Professional Life, with Perspectives on Leadership, Administration, and Ministry Direction. (Click here to see Certificate or here for Group Picture)
Consultation IV (July 7-10, 2009)
The Pastoral Couples Consultation, both Pastor Jack and Anna Hayford share interactively on building your ministry, while growing your own family and marriage and helping others do the same. (Click here for Group Picture)