Matt Zrust
Teaching and Preaching Pastor
Matt was born in Missouri, but spent the next 14 years of his life split between there, Nebraska and Texas. At 14 his family moved to Costa Rica, where the Lord found Matt at age 15 during a youth campout. After serving in various ministry contexts in Costa Rica he moved to Portland to attend Multnomah University where he earned his bachelor's degree in Intercultural Studies and Bible/Theology. More importantly, he met Amber, his beautiful wife during that time and they have since called Portland their home for the 16-plus years of their marriage.
Matt is a founding member of The Gathering Church, being privileged to serve in a wide array of opportunities ranging from the counseling ministry of TGC, to his work in outreach and mercy ministries in the local community when he served as a deacon. Matt's foremost vision and desire is to see Christ-centered maturity in the lives of those around him, whether his awesome family, neighborhood or local church. In summer of 2019 Matt graduated from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon where he attended to be better equipped to fulfill this vision in all of these spheres of influence.
Portland has come to shape many of Matt's favorite pastimes, including indulging in the pervasive foodie culture, going on hikes and camping trips, biking as much as his schedule allows him to, and reading books about culture, theology, politics, anthropology, Central Texas BBQ, philology, and pretty much anything else. Matt and Amber are parents to the 9 most absolutely wonderful children in the world, with whom Matt enjoys doing all of his favorite things with, as well as wrestling, building things, going on walks and trying to convince them of the excellency of 90's alternative rock.
LeeAnn Bennett
Office Manager and Deacon
LeeAnn was born in Longview, Washington and has lived in the Pacific Northwest her entire life. Her family went to church most of her childhood, but it was in high school that LeeAnn asked the Lord into her heart and was baptized. It wasn’t all smooth sailing from there though. She rebelled against God and had a 6 month period of denying Christ and living a life not glorifying Him. She renewed her commitment to Christ in January 1990 and has been living for Him ever since.
LeeAnn met her best friend for life, Todd Bennett, in October of 1991 and married him in September of 1992. Todd and LeeAnn had big plans for a large family and a homeschooling lifestyle but this was not to be; God had other plans for them. Although Todd and LeeAnn were not able to have biological children God did provide children for them another way. In January of 2001 they received their first bouncing baby girl of 11 years old, her name is Tamara. Then in August of that same year their niece, also 11, came to live with them as a daughter. Instant family! Her now adult daughters are both married and she is also blessed with 3 grand-babies. LeeAnn testifies that God’s way is always best even if we don’t realize it at the time.
LeeAnn and Todd came to The Gathering Church in July of 2015. LeeAnn became a deacon in March of 2018 and started working as the office manager for the church in July of 2018. She loves the church and is humbled and honored to serve the church in whatever capacity God provides.