HAVING grown up in Southsea and worshipped at St Paul’s Church, Sarisbury Green, moving from London to Gosport felt like coming home for Matt Gatt.

Matt is the newly appointed pioneer minister at South Gosport parish, and was licensed on Thursday by Ven Kathryn Percival, Archdeacon of the Meon, at a service at St John’s Church, Forton. He comes to Gosport from St Dionis in Parsons Green, south west London, where he was worship pastor, and has a number of years experience working with young people, young adults and creatives.

His new role will see him working towards planting a new worshipping community back into St John’s Church, which has been used as a popular music and recording venue since the parish reordering a few years ago. 

Matt said: “I love working with creatives, and the partnerships already established here with Quay West studios and St Vincent’s College present great opportunities to engage with teenagers and young adults in the area. My degree is in music and I’ve had the opportunity in the past to work with a number established creatives, producers and writers, and my hope is that I’ll be able to bring that experience into pioneering new initiatives and expressions of worship in this vibrant area.”

Matt has been married to Lauren for six years, and their first child is due within the next month. “I’m so glad to be back in this area, it does feel like home even though it’s been a long time since I last lived here,” he said.

He and his wife love getting out into the countryside, with their two dogs, and enjoy rock climbing and paddle boarding. Matt also describes himself as a huge sci-fi nerd!

You can read more about the South Gosport parish here, and the help they provide to local families through weekly hot meals here.