Who is Your Super Hero?

With Marvel’s new Movie The Avenger’s coming out soon, I thought it would be a great time to blog about a real modern-day super hero, my friend Matt Bell.  When I first met Matt, he was the worship leader at a satellite DWC church in Freeport.  My brother had warned me about this guy at the church that was sure to make a big impression.  He said the kid was only in his late twenties, but had the insight of someone far older.   I was just testing out the waters of a new church, and as soon as I walked through the doors one Sunday, I knew exaclty which guy my brother was referring to.  Needless to say, Matt makes a big impression on a small stage.

True to form, Matt made it a point to make sure I felt welcomed each and every Sunday.  We became fast- friends…so of course I had to teach him how to surf!   Today, Matt is more than a friend, he is family.  In the past few years, Matt has gone out of his way to be a mentor to my budding musician Kelsey Anna;  he is a buddy to my little Thor (pictured below), and most importantly, he is a rock of unprecedented faith.

Last year when Matt came to tell me that he had joined the World Race, I didn’t know how to react.  On one hand, I was so proud of him for making such a huge sacrifice in the name of faith, but on the other hand, I knew that my buddy wouldn’t be singing at church on Sundays and he wouldn’t be on the receiving end of my countless Hey-Matt-let-me-run-this-by-you texts.

The World Race is a “stretching journey into 11 countries in 11 months to serve ‘the least of these’ while amongst real and raw community. This unique mission trip is a challenging adventure for young adults to abandon worldly possessions and a traditional lifestyle in exchange for an understanding that it’s not about you; it’s about the Kingdom.”

Matt left last Summer and has been blogging about his journey along the way.  Matt has encountered and experienced far more in the past few months than I ever will in my lifetime.  He has fed children in the Philippines, comforted orphans in China and shared God’s peace with everyone he encounters.   He even spent time in South Africa teaching young kids how to surf.  I am so proud to call this guy a friend, but he is much more than that.  My friend Matt Bell is a super hero…no cape necessary.