Matt Edison
Senior Pastor
Rev. Matt Edison serves as Senior Pastor of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church. A native of Austin, TX. he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Texas Southern University and a Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Matt has served in ministry across Houston, Austin, and San Antonio in roles including youth and college ministries, chaplaincy, as well as congregational leadership. He and his wife have been married for over 15 years and are proud parents of their daughter, Brooklynn.
Kyle Utterback
Bookkeeper
Perris Beal
Director of Children & Family Ministries
Now Hiring for Current Position OpEning
Director of Student Ministries
Pastor Matt is currently serving as our director of student ministries. If you are interested in applying for this position, please click here.
James Garcia
Director of Music Ministries
James Garcia, a native San Antonian, serves as Director of Music Ministries at St. Matthew’s. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Theory & Composition from UTSA with additional studies in vocal performance, choral directing, and sacred music. James has directed church ensembles in a wide range of worship styles, from traditional hymns and choral works to Gospel, Spanish liturgical music, and contemporary praise. In addition to his ministry at St. Matthew’s, he directs opera and teaches voice at St. Mary’s University, sings with the San Antonio Mastersingers, and performs with local bands. James and his wife, Tawni, are proud parents of four children.
Hawaii waites
Day School Director
Hawaii-Kalani Waites serves as the Director of St. Matthew’s Day School, bringing 17 years of experience in early childhood education. Beginning her career as a preschool teacher, she worked her way into leadership while building strong relationships with staff, parents, and children. Hawaii holds a Child Development Associate in Early Childhood, Texas School Ready Certification, and a Director’s License through the State of Texas, and she is currently pursuing a business degree in Early Childhood. A San Antonio native and proud mother of three daughters, she is passionate about creating a nurturing, play-based learning environment where children can thrive.
Tawni Garcia
Administrative Assistant & Assistant Director of Music Ministries
Tawni Garcia serves as Administrative Assistant and Assistant Director of Music Ministries at St. Matthew’s. A San Antonio native and Judson ISD graduate, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Music Studies from UTSA and has years of experience teaching, accompanying, and supporting music education. Tawni and her husband, James, have shared 28 years of marriage and a life of music ministry, serving together at numerous local churches. Outside of her work at St. Matthew’s, Tawni enjoys caring for her husband, their four children, and their lively household of pets.
Carl Watson
Custodian
Location
We are located just down the street from MacArthur High School.
Our address is:
2738 MacArthur View
San Antonio, TX 78217
Directions
At Nacogdoches Rd. and Loop 410, go north on Nacogdoches. Turn left on MacArthur View and you will find us on the left a little past the high school.
Beliefs
We believe everything begins with God’s love (also called Grace). God loves us before we know about God. God is our Creator.
God came to earth to become one of us. This is our Christmas celebration each year… God is with us and is called Jesus. Jesus was born in humble circumstances and came not as a powerful king, but as a lowly servant to save the world. Jesus is our Redeemer.
God remains with us today to guide, inspire and breathe life into us as the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is our advocate.
We are called Christians because we follow Jesus, the Christ. Jesus lived his life as an example for us to follow. He died so that we wouldn’t have to carry our sin which separates us from God. Jesus was resurrected so we might know eternal life, which is a life not defined by death.
We learn about Jesus, the early church and the history of God’s work in the world through the scriptures. We believe the Bible is inspired by God and contains everything necessary for salvation.
We are all subject to the effects of sin. Sin is when we turn our backs on God by our actions and inactions. The good news is we don’t have to be bogged down by our sin, but as we allow Jesus to forgive it, the weight we carry falls away. This is all due to God’s love for us and desire for a relationship with all.
As we live in a relationship with Jesus… we learn the greatest commandment which is to love God and our neighbor with all our heart, soul, mind and being. In this life, strangers become friends, enemies are loved, the downtrodden are lifted up and those on the margins are counted as important. Everything begins with God’s Love.
About the United Methodist Church
Regardless of one’s age, race, life-story, or standpoint, each unique individual is welcomed within our churches. We strive to weave the fabric between our disciples through our appointed-clergy system, mission-based outreach practices, and united giving.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Derived from this “Great Commission,” our church’s mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We uphold this all-encompassing objective through four basic principles: welcoming, worshiping, nurturing, and sending.
This page provides a brief overview of our purpose of action within the United Methodist Church. Please visit the Main UMC Website for more details on our mission, our faith, our people, and our world.
Mission / Vision
St. Matthews United Methodist Church, a part of the global denomination known as the United Methodist Church, is affectionately called St. Matt’s. Among the many United Methodist congregations in the San Antonio area, we thrive through our connections with other churches through our shared missions and ministries.
Our faith is guided by scripture, tradition, experience, and reason. We firmly believe that everyone is called to participate in the ministry of Jesus Christ. As John Wesley famously said, “Do all the good you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” This spirit of service and compassion is deeply ingrained in the fabric of St. Matt’s.
Worship is an integral part of our St. Matthew’s experience. Our pastor, lay leaders, music staff, band, and choir are dedicated to leading meaningful and uplifting worship services that inspire and uplift our congregation.
Embracing our Methodist heritage, we affirm God’s claim upon our lives and actively invest our hearts, minds, and resources in living as disciples of Jesus Christ. We value diversity of belief and strive to create an inclusive environment where people can explore and expand their spiritual lives. Our goal is to make God’s love visible in the world around us.
Our History
November 1, 1959 – The first service for St. Matthew’s Church was in a rented building at 2930 Nacogdoches Rd.
Originally the home of the Jack Cone family, this building was once a country club and, more recently, Gilbert’s Bar and Lounge.
August 14, 1960 – Groundbreaking was on Bitters Rd. since renamed to MacArthur View. That building is still in use for classrooms, the choir room and nursery.
Today – Growing and changing to meet your needs, we provide disaster relief and feed the homeless under the bridge. We host a Scout Troop and have a Parent’s Night Out ministry. We also have a Day School that has been in operation for 50 years. We have a Spanish language ministry called Agua Viva. On Wednesday nights, we offer a light meal before classes for children, youth and adults are held.
Our Worship
Accommodations
St. Matthew’s welcomes all abilities!
Earplugs are available in the lobby for sensory needs, and our soundproof sensory suite near the sanctuary offers calming activities.
