Rev. Dr. Art Matheny
Raised in a small farm town in Iowa, Art first became a follower of Jesus when he was nine years old. The town he grew up in had big front porches and no fences, people and communities are inherently important to Art. Art has pastored for over 25 years in the local church in various pastoral roles such as Youth Pastor, Lead Pastor/Church Planter, Revitalization Pastor, and Pastor of Discipleship.
Art has pastored in large and small churches, in cities and rural areas in California, Oregon, Canada, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas. Art met Jenny, his wife since 1996, while they both pursued biblical studies at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO. Art and Jenny continued biblical studies at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada, with Art later completing a Masters of Divinity degree (Spiritual Theology emphasis) and later a Doctorate of Ministry degree (Spiritual Direction emphasis) from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. Art has taught as an adjunct professor at Manhattan Christian College and Ozark Christian College in the areas of Spiritual Formation and Pastoral/applied Ministry. Art is a pastor, retreat leader, spiritual director, supervisor, and pastoral mentor. You can see more about Art at his website. https://akouolife.org
Art is the Lead Pastor at Living Vine Church and also is the Director of the Living Vine Center. The Living Vine Center is a place of Spiritual Transformation and Companionship. The Center offers retreats, spiritual direction for individuals and groups, as well as personalized coaching for Christian Leaders.
Jenny and Art have two adult children Emma and Sam. As a family they enjoy watching, playing, and coaching sports and camping outdoors. Art loves preaching and teaching God’s Word and delights listening to people share about their spiritual journey. He also loves playing board games, coaching youth sports, garage sales, cheering for the Seattle Seahawks, and 7-11 slurpees.
One of his favorite verses in the bible is John 15:5 where Jesus says, “I am the vine and you are the branches, if a person remains in me, and I in them, they will bear much fruit, apart from me, you are unable to do anything.”