Matt Dillon

“These last four years of my life have been more than just a common, everyday struggle for me, going from day to day in the realization that I am fighting a battle far greater than one with mere worldly value. I have learned to draw strength and encouragement through Christ and my church. Prestonwood has been an incredible influence in my life by not only the powerful messages delivered to us but through the people who attend it.

There have been so many that have been such an encouragement to my life. Carter and the Student Ministry staff have always been there for me and have been not only ministers, but friends. I knew that I could drop in at the offices at any time and any one of them, Steph, Justin or Carter, would be ready to talk about anything. Prestonwood and its staff is a great example of what Jesus is trying to preach to the crowds in John 10: 27: My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.

My one hope is that I have made even a fraction of the impact on the people around me like the people of Prestonwood have done for me. The mission statement that I have come to adopt from the teachings here is that I should never stop sharing my faith and that I should not be afraid or back down when confronted. This is best summed up by the apostles in Acts 6:2 where it says: Day after Day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” —Matt Dillon, Prosper High School Senior