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Matthew Thompson has been the pastor at Midway Baptist Church for approximately 18 months, and this is the first church in which he has served as pastor. When talking about what led him to become a pastor, Thompson says he was privileged to sit under numerous pastors who sparked his heart for the ministry. “Through their teaching and mentorship, I realized that God had called me to follow in their footsteps and help people
Matt Thompson is the Pastor at Midway Baptist Church. Pictured with Thompson is his beautiful family: Devin, wife; Brayson, son; and Brynlee, daughter.
through encouraging teaching that can be applied to daily life,” Thompson said. He went on to share his conviction that “it isn’t enough what you know, but what you do with what you know. It wasn’t enough, that I knew God, I wanted to help lead other people to know Him, which in turn helped me to realize and know Him more.”
Thompson says he is motivated by “the thought that so many people have not experienced and received the free and great gift of eternal life and relationship with Jesus. Here at Midway we have a mission statement that is really my own life’s goal; we say we want to ‘help lead people in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, starting where they are.’ That means wherever people are in life, we want to help lead them to Jesus and encourage them further. That is what I want to do with my life because that, in my estimation, is all that really matters.”
Members of the congregation serve in various ministries within the community such as Consolidated Christian Ministries, the Methodist Thrift Store, etc. They handle needs as they arise, if possible, depending on the need.
The church has a great WMU (Women’s Missionary Union) that meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m., at the church. The men’s Brotherhood group meets during the same time at the Burnette Barn where they enjoy a meal, music, teaching and fellowship. The Brotherhood also meets the first Sunday of every month at 8 a.m. for breakfast and devotional time before Sunday School and the morning service.
The church is also very proud of their recently started Children’s Ministry that coincides with the Sunday Morning worship service. This is a safe environment that focuses on sharing the love of God with the kids through song, biblical teaching and free time. Another thing that they are super excited about is their Midway 15 Minutes, where they go to Facebook live for 15 minutes, and Thompson teaches something that can be easily received and applied for daily life. Pastor Matt encourages feedback, questions, or prayer requests for anyone who has a wondering mind and heart. This feedback can be sent to his email at midwaybaptist1856pastor@gmail.com.
Current projects within the church include preparing for a “Big Easter Service where our choir will be performing an Easter Cantata, which will be presented on Easter morning on April 16 during the 11 a.m. service,” Thompson said. The church is also gearing up for Vacation Bible School, which will be happening June 11through 14 in the evenings at the church.
Thompson and his wife (Devin) are both from Madison. They met in high school and “have been together ever since.” “I could not be an effective Pastor without her love and support,” Thompson said. He went on to say, “We have also been blessed with two amazing children, Brayson and Brynlee, who keep us on our toes but constantly surprise us and bring us joy.”
Thompson says he has many favorite scriptures, but there is one he looks at everyday, and it is actually the only scripture he has pinned up in his office. “It is the one that I must keep in the forefront of my mind and it comes from the book of Acts, a time when the church was experiencing growth and meeting so many people where they were in life,” he stated. It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles that are turning to God. (Acts 15:19 NIV). “This constantly encourages me to be a help to anyone who is seeking a relationship with God, and to make sure I am not standing in their way,”
It is clear to this writer that Matt Thompson has found his calling and settled in at Midway Baptist Church. He is quick to want to share about “our wonderful people here at Midway Baptist Church!”
Midway Baptist Church is located four miles south of Interstate 10, at 338 SW Midway Church Rd. in Lee. The best way to contact the church or Pastor Matt (as he likes to be called) is by calling his cell phone (850) 253-5042. Other means of contact include the church e-mail midwaybaptist1856@gmail.com or through Facebook: MidwayBaptistChurch1856.
Worship service times at Midway Baptist are: Sunday School at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., discipleship training at 6 p.m., evening worship at 7 p.m., Wednesday night services at 7 p.m. Midway 15 Minutes, takes place the first Thursday of each month at 8:30 p.m. on the church Facebook page.