Matt Lucas has been the pastor of the Smith Center Church of the Nazarene since July, 2006. Matt grew up in Garden City, KS where he attended the Church of the Nazarene with his family. He graduated from Garden City High School in 1993, from MidAmerica Nazarene University in 1996, and earned a Master’s Degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 2000. He was ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene in 2000. Prior to coming to Smith Center Pastor Matt pastored churches in Leavenworth County, KS and in Oakes, ND.
Pastor Matt was called to preach as a teenager and has found great joy in the call ever since. His passion is to preach the life changing truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition to his ministry work Matt enjoys outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and an occasional game of golf. When not outside, he can usually be found hanging out with his family, reading a book about American history, or cheering on the Kansas Jayhawks or Kansas City Royals. Pastor Matt is blessed with a terrific family, wife Kristi, daughter Erica, and son Elijah.
Hilary Peterson has been a tremendously involved member of the Smith Center Nazarene Church for about 5 years. Hilary currently teaches our Jr. High/High School Sunday School, manages, facilitates and teaches within our Nazarene Youth Fellowship, leads weekly women’s bible study’s and has found herself loving her time mentoring young girls in the community. With a passion for people and a passion for the heart of God and His Word, Hilary brings to our church and community a dynamic personality! She has recently taken on other responsibilities in the Church as a staff member including, but not limited to: administration, organization, and communication within various ministries of the church including Music Ministry, and other areas of Administration and Technology. God has blessed her with an incredible musical talent in which she loves to use for His Glory through song writing, guitar playing and singing her heart to the Lord. Furthermore, Hilary finds great joy in her career as a nurse at the Smith Center Memorial Hospital, currently working PRN. Her passion of caring for others truly shines in this facet of her life. There’s not a hospital room she won’t light up with a smile! In addition to her ministry and nursing work, Hilary enjoys riding horses, reading, creative artwork, home decorating, running, dancing, hunting with her husband, Aaron, and spending time with her twin sister doing just about anything! Hilary is truly blessed in being the wife of an incredible man of God and her best friend, Aaron Peterson.