This past week together we remember the passing of a dear husband, father, friend, and church planter Matthew Gillette.
Matt’s life was synonymous with presence. Matt truly knew and exemplified the importance of presence with friends, family and the beautiful, unhurried work God was doing in his neighborhood. Though an influential voice in the area, Matt was perfectly at home walking the sidewalks of his neighborhood. Matt’s own willingness to allow the gradual in-breaking of God’s Kingdom in rooted and incarnational ways was built out of a practiced trust in the Spirit that became contagious to all he encountered. There is a counter-intuitive way to this world that Matt knew and embraced. He tasted morsels of God’s Kingdom on earth as he walked those neighborhood streets—morsels many of us will only fully taste when God calls us home. As he is now fully present with the King and nestled in Father’s arms, Matt’s life will continue to be an echo for the rest of us of a richer Kingdom and love that awaits. May we find the same truths as our dear friend and brother and forever feel the warmth of his sincere embrace and soft smile.
“The fruits of the earth are not brought to perfection immediately, but by time, rain and care; similarly, the fruits of men ripen through ascetic practice, study, time, perseverance, self-control and patience.” – St. Anthony the Great, Desert Father
If you would like to contribute to the family during this time there is a fundraiser here: https://gofund.me/9fc32d42
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