(Photo taken the pier at Bognor Regis, England).



To all those considering supporting me on my journey,

Here is a little background information as to why I am fundraising... 

Several years ago, I received a radical change in heart where my heart became open to God through an experience of Jesus.  I had always been a Christian, but something was different in me....So I switched colleges and degrees, avidly pursuing answers to the questions following my experience of Jesus .  This led me to Concordia University, Wisconsin.

At Concordia, a door opened up for me during my senior year to be the male RA for Bethesda College in its inaugural year (Bethesda College is a two-year, post-secondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities to attend college).  Just days before the start of school, I was asked by the staff of Bethesda College to apply for this position, as their previous choice for a male RA had backed out.  After agreeing to take the position, I found myself moving from a dorm with some of my best friends to another dorm with 3 young men who all had intellectual disabilities ranging from autism to down syndrome, and who would become my new, best friends.  My life was opened up to the world of disability for the first time, and I found myself experiencing blessing after blessing, challenge after challenge.

After graduating from Concordia, I moved to Pasadena, CA in pursuit of a Masters of Divinity at Fuller Seminary.  Here, my eyes were further opened as I responded to a call to be (unofficially) a chaplain of Pasadena Residential Care Center (PRCC).   Every week I would lead a small Bible study for the residents suffering from mental illness.  These friends had some very deep wounds (PTSD, being homeless, addictions, having no family or friends, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, depression, etc.).  But again I found God's love in this place.  Every week the residents would ask questions as to why they were suffering.  They would ask me if they were going to hell. Over and over again I would share the good news that each individual is valued by God, as demonstrated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  Sometimes I would just have to be silent and sit there with no answers because the pain was so deep....but I would also bring snacks, cakes for birthdays, peaceful music, items that the residents needed which I could find for them, and presents at Christmas.   We had many times of laughter too!

Now, in order to graduate from Fuller, I must complete 8 months of apprenticeship at a church or para-church organization. 

I have chosen L'Arche--an international network of small communities where people with and without disabilities live together.  L'Arche is both ecumenical and interfaith, meaning it does not require that assistants or core members with disabilities be Christian, or religious, in order to live in community.  It is therefore beautifully rooted in God's heart for every individual, especially those who are marginalized by society.   

For the next year, I have committed to L'Arche in Bognor Regis, England.  I would have never sought out Bognor Regis on my own. However, after applying to L'Arche in the US, I also applied to L'Arche in some different countries, and as it turns out, this tiny, sea-side town on England's southern coast was most in need of assistants, so that is where I am writing from today!

After seven years of school, and receiving a call to work in L'Arche (not a place where people go to earn a lot of money), I have to find to way to maintain proper funding while I am away.  L'Arche will cover my room and board, plus most meals, but I need some money set aside for travel, any emergencies that should arise, and to do the work I am called to do this next year. 

What I hope to convey most in terms of fundraising is that if you feel led to support me financially or through prayer, you are participating in the building of God's kingdom.  I have not seen anything more beautiful than when atheists, Christians of different denominations, and friends with disabilities, gather together and share meals in support of one another.  Personally, I feel deeply blessed to have received experiences like this where there is mutual love and transformation. 

So...I am not volunteering here in Bognor Regis to do a nice, Christian thing FOR my friends with intellectual disabilities, and I am also not doing this to simply earn my degree from Fuller. 

I am doing this to BE WITH my friends with disabilities and to experience authentic community life so that one day, I might be a part of building more L'Arche communities.  I want to know if God is calling me to L'Arche as a life-long "apprenticeship."  

Thank you for your support and prayers,

With love,

Matthew



Also, here is a link to my blog where I will posting pictures and stories of my journey in England.

https://matthewgates.blog/