Seen Around Church – Week of October 19, 2025

SMPC Pastor Takes a Trip Down Memory Lane, Reconnects with Faithful

Dr. Matt Brown and his wife, Donna, attended a worship service honoring the ministry of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at First Presbyterian Church of Mexico in Matt’s hometown of Mexico, MO, over the weekend. Matt was part of Mexico’s FCA in high school and credits his experience with planting the seed that eventually led him to a life of ministry.

“It was really something,” Matt shared. “A lot of classmates came back – people I hadn’t seen in 45 or 50 years. It was meaningful to think about the witness of that group over the last five decades and the number of young people whose lives were shaped by that ministry – my own included.”

Matt was honored to give the sermon during worship, which you can watch here.

“This is a real full-circle moment for me,” said Matt during his sermon. “I am retiring at the end of next month and to come back here, where it all began, is really rather surreal.”

Matt reconnected with the group’s longtime sponsor, who has led the FCA for more than 52 years. “His energy and positivity show what happens when someone commits to building relationships – it opens the door for faith to grow,” said Matt.

He also met a 16-year-old student who is now part of FCA and hopes to become a pastor someday. “It’s incredible,” Matt reflected. “To see the next generation catching that same spirit of faith – that’s God at work.”

Thank you to Donna and Matt for these wonderful photos!

Sunday Snapshots!

We love these Sunday snapshots! They remind us how much a faith community adds to our lives!

Photo credit: Terry Gaines

SMPC Walks to End Hunger

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the CROP Hunger Walk yesterday at Providence Baptist Church! Many of our team were confirmands and their mentors, which really warmed our hearts. Our SMPC team is just a smidge shy of our $1,500 goal! While the walk is over, there is still time to donate to our team! Link to donate is here.

Photo credit: Rev. Lindsey Odom