Matt Farabow

Lead Pastor • mfarabow@seasideumc.org

I am a life-long North Carolinian growing up in the central part of the state in Thomasville, NC.I went to college at Guilford College where I played on the Men’s Soccer Team.  I gained my Master of Divinity at Duke University. And I recieved my Doctor of Minsitry from Drew University in Madison New Jersey in Congregational Growth Through Community Outreach. I came to Seaside in July of 2022 moving from Winston Salem, NC and always wanted to live at the coast. Prior to being at Seaside I have been serving as a United Methodist minister since 1996 serving at 5 churches over the past 28 years. Prior to working in ministry I worked in the restaurant business for a few years as a waiter, manager and bartender at a micro-brewery! My amazing wife Amanda is in real estate and works for the Saltwater Group down here. We have 4 wonderful kids, Sydney(25), Jordan(24), Kenton (22) and JT(22). They all have graduated from college and are out on their own. You can do the math and decipher that all 4 were in college at the same time for 2 years…it felt like getting a raise when they graduated. We also have 3 dogs, all Labrador Retrievers. Sadie is a silver lab who is 10. Salem is a black lab and Willow a yellow lab and they both are 2. I love fishing, golf, exercise and spending quality time with friends and family.

Favorite Scripture Verse: 2 Kings 2:23-25 where some young boys say to Elijah, “Go away, baldhead!” and Elijah curses them. Then 2 bears come out of the woods and mauled 42 of the kids. It just makes me laugh. 

But seriously, it is difficult for me to pick a favorite scripture lesson but Philippians 4:6-7 stands out as it says, “Do not worry about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  It says to me, “Don’t worry, give it to God, and will take care of it.”  Therein I may not get what I want, but I understand God is in control and I am not. 

Favorite Restaurant: Well, I kinda like to eat everything except tomatoes. However, down here Oyster Rock is where we take our friends who come to visit.  My second, but kinda my first, is Boat Landing in Sunset Beach because the food is wonderful and the owners are very kind. Lastly, my favorite restaurant is our house because I love to cook. My mom instilled in me a strong ability to cook anything and everything and I get great satisfaction out of cooking for others.

Favorite Vacation Destination: Traveling! We now live in our favorite place so it is like being on vacation but working all the while. It is the best of both worlds.  But, if I had to choose I would say my favorite recent vacation was going to Italy with our kids a few years ago. It was wonderful because of the food, history and so many things to do. My second choice would be Barcelona, Spain. I have been three times and cannot wait for Amanda to go with me. Again, the food is spectacular, the history is wonderful and the location is amazing. I feel like traveling gives us a greater understanding for others in our world and enhances my understanding of how wonderfully diverse our world truly is.