Support Mat Grover’s family after their heartbreaking loss.

It's with tears in our eyes and with the heaviest of hearts that we write this unbelievable message about the very unexpected loss of our amazing friend Mathew Grover.

On Monday, on the last leg of his flight journey to Uganda to participate in his Chosen service mission with World Vision, Pastor Mat experienced a medical heart episode right after his connecting flight from Istanbul to Uganda took off. Airline staff jumped into action, and his close friend Pastor John was with him the whole time, and the plane made an emergency landing, but unfortunately, it was too late, and our beloved Mat passed away.

Dozens of family and friends immediately surrounded Amy, Jane, and Ethan (and their 3 fur babies Windsor, Lillie & Cozie) with community and love. A loving, supportive, all-encompassing community that they will need a lot more of and need for a long time to come.

Mat was excited to head to Uganda and celebrate with some of the world's most vulnerable kids because that is who he was. Whether on the other side of the world or right here in Tucson, Mat's infectious love for Jesus and care for every person he encountered was at the core of his leadership legacy.

Mat made a profound impact on so many in our Tucson community in so many different ways. Whether through his childhood friends, his music and bands, his love for soccer, involvement with Tucson’s youth, CDO high school clubs and sports, church ministries, his love for Oregon (“Go Ducks”), or life in general both locally and nationally, Mat was passionate about helping people create and cultivate deep and lasting relationships and he led by example always. He loved his people in big ways, gave the best hugs, and was always down for a deep conversation about all things philosophical or the many crossroads in life.

To know Mat was to feel love and joy and laughter and to dance ridiculously all while giving high-fives and endless hugs. Mat was truly one of a kind, everyone’s friend/brother/mentor, he never met a stranger and he welcomed you with a warm smile and open arms always. He gave the best hugs to any and all who wanted them (and even some that didn’t “want” them but he truly knew they “needed” them). Mat was a guaranteed advocate for all, and a fierce cheerleader too. His voice could always be heard cheering and encouraging the loudest, which was comforting and often comical at the same time.

Mat’s exiting of this earth was far too early. The world lost a GREAT one, friend! You are so loved and will be missed beyond measure.

John 16:22 “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

A portion of the monies raised here will be donated to World Vision in honor of our beloved Mathew Grover.