Matt Chandler

Matt Chandler is a prominent pastor, author, and speaker known for his passion for preaching the gospel and equipping the church to live faithfully in today’s world. Since 2002, he has served as the lead pastor of The Village Church, a multi-campus congregation based in Flower Mound, Texas. Under his leadership, the church has grown significantly, reaching thousands each week with biblically grounded and Christ-centered teaching.

Born in Seattle, Washington, and raised in a military family, Chandler lived in various places during his childhood before settling in Texas. He became a believer as a teenager and felt a strong call to ministry early in life. He studied at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, where his leadership and gifting as a communicator began to emerge.

Chandler is also the President of Acts 29, a global church-planting network that seeks to establish and support gospel-centered churches around the world. In this role, he has championed the importance of theological clarity, mission, and cultural engagement in advancing God’s kingdom.

As an author, Chandler has written several influential books, including The Explicit Gospel, To Live Is Christ, to Die Is Gain, and Take Heart: Christian Courage in the Age of Unbelief. His writing combines theological depth with pastoral sensitivity, encouraging readers to deepen their faith and live boldly for Christ.

In 2009, Chandler was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, a journey that shaped his ministry and personal life profoundly. His recovery and ongoing health challenges have given him a unique perspective on suffering, faith, and the sovereignty of God, which he shares openly with his congregation and audiences.

Matt and his wife, Lauren, have three children. Together, they are committed to building a Christ-centered home and encouraging others to pursue lives marked by faith, love, and mission.