Mat grew up in Mississippi and graduated from Belhaven College with a BA in Philosophy. After studying Greek at Reformed Theological Seminary, he attended Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia, and received his Master of Divinity in 1997. Mat first served a small congregation in Louisiana while his wife Robin studied law at Tulane University. Upon her graduation from Tulane in 2000, they moved to Mobile, Alabama, where Mat served as Pastor of Cottage Hill Presbyterian Church and Robin worked as an attorney for a small, well-respected law firm. In February 2005, Robin and Mat became the proud parents of Zachary Allen Taylor. Soon after Zachary's birth, the family moved to Covington, Tennessee, where Mat served as Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church. While in Covington, their son Jack Thomas Taylor was born.

Mat has a lifelong love for the Presbyterian Church. Like many people, he has had his period of doubt (even though he is a preacher's kid), but he has come to treasure the mystery of grace. He brings to his ministry a deep appreciation for liturgy within traditional forms of Presbyterian worship. Mat is committed to serving God's children with a compassionate heart, a love for congregational care and social outreach, and relevant, timely sermons. He values the role of music as a vital part of the worship experience.

Mat enjoys teaching Sunday school classes and expects to continue that practice at Fondren. Supporting a priesthood of all believers, he encourages all members to participate in the various church leadership positions that best utilize their individual gifts.

During his eleven years as a pastor, Mat has organized both adult and youth mission trips, joined with other churches in an ecumenical prison ministry, and participated in Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics. He has been active in various community organizations such as Rotary and Kiwanis.

To refresh his spirit and for relaxation, Mat enjoys camping, the two family dogs, watching movies, and listening to many different kinds of music.

Mat feels an affinity with Fondren's heritage and vision. He values the diversity and intellectual curiosity of Fondren's members, the church's traditional worship services, and the tradition of excellence in worship. Mat and Robin feel called to serve Fondren church in this time and place and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.

To read Mat Taylor's "Statement of Faith," Click here to download