Pastor
Matt joined the Harvest E-Free staff in the summer of 1999. He had been a part of the Harvest church family prior to that time. Matt grew up in Story City and is a graduate of Wartburg College and Bethel Seminary. For many years, “Coach Soderstrum” has been an assistant football coach at Roland-Story High School. As mentioned earlier, Matt is a licensed funeral director, which means he does the “embalming thing” when he is on call at the funeral home. Matt is married to Stacy, who is a part-time nurse at McFarland Clinic in Story City. They have five children-- Bailey (17), Shelby (15), Samuel (13), Charlsea (12), and Josiah (10).
[matt.soderstrum@harvestefree.org]
Things I’m Thankful For: My family, our church (and my job at this church!), God’s grace/patience, and football to name a few. I am also thankful that God gave our family a child with special needs – it gives us a better perspective on life!
I Enjoy: My family, friends, football, golf and attending church meetings!
Favorite Movies: Silence of the Lambs, It’s a Wonderful Life, National Treasure, Lethal Weapon series, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger.
Favorite Music Groups/CDs: Phillips, Craig and Dean, FFH, Contemporary worship music, Mercy Me, and my all-time favorite: Barry Manilow!
I Hope To Someday: Run and complete a marathon (although I dislike running!), learn to play the piano, weigh 200 pounds, golf around the world, have a ministry focusing on families with children with special needs.
Some Favorite Books Read: Holy Ambition by Chip Ingram; Confessions of a Pastor by Craig Groeschel; The Church of Irresistible Influence by Robert Lewis; Season of Life by Jeffrey Marx; Prayer – Finding Your Hearts True Home by Richard Foster;
Favorite Verse/Life Verse: One of my favorite books of the Bible is Habakkuk. I especially love 3:17-18. Nahum 1:7 is also an important verse to me.