Matt Aragon-Bruce (Lake Michigan Presbytery) begins as the Director of the Cultivating the Gift of Preaching Initiative on January 8, 2024. In this position, he will guide the implementation of the $1.25 million grant that we received from the Lilly Endowment’s Compelling Preaching grant program. A systematic theologian by training, Matt has taught at several colleges and seminaries and is the theologian-in-residence at First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven (MI). (See his full biographical sketch below)
Born and raised in Northern MN, Matt has spent the last decade teaching theology, ethics, and church history. He presently serves as Theologian-in-Residence at First Presbyterian Church Grand Haven (Grand Haven, MI) and as a frequent Adjunct Professor for Western Theological Seminary, Calvin University’s Prison Initiative, and the Hope Western Prison Education Program. Matt earned a MDiv and a PhD (in the history of doctrine) from Princeton Theological Seminary, and an MTh from the University of Edinburgh. He is a candidate for ordination in the Presbytery of Lake Michigan. Matt is married to the Rev. Kristine Aragon Bruce, who serves as the Associate pastor at First Pres. Grand Haven. Matt and Kristine have two children, Phoebe (12) and Jenson (10). In his free time, Matt enjoys wandering in the outdoors with his family, cooking, and gardening.