by Journalism student Jasmine T.
Matt Nylin is a New Life alum, parent, and now the newest middle school Bible teacher. Nylin was a youth pastor for fifteen years and has a passion for sharing the gospel and his knowledge of the Bible with kids.
Nylin’s plan after graduating from New Life was to get a degree in secondary education and become a high school teacher. He went to North Central his freshman year and played college basketball, and then transferred to Northwestern University for his sophomore year because North Central did not have a secondary education program.
Nylin spent his time at Northwestern studying in the Physical Health and Kinesiology education program. A week before his student teaching began, he shared that he “started to feel a strong shift.” He said, “I could tell that the Lord was saying that teaching was not what I was supposed to do. I was conflicted because I was almost done. I felt like I had wasted so much time and money preparing to be a teacher, but I knew that it was not what I was supposed to do.” He added, “My roommate’s girlfriend at the time asked me if I had ever considered ministry. I hadn’t ever considered it, because my church at the time had some dysfunctions and drama, which I didn’t want to be a part of.”
Nylin shared that his roommate’s girlfriend challenged him by asking, “What if you could change somebody’s experience at church so that they don’t go through the things you did? What are the things you love about church, and how can you expand that?” The questions that she asked changed Nylin’s perspective and caused him to view ministry from a different lens.
Immediately after talking with his roommate and his girlfriend, he went to the admissions office to switch from his education major to ministry. He graduated with a ministry degree from Northwestern a year and a half later and went on to be a pastor for 15 years.
At the end of 2023, Nylin shared that he “began to feel another shift.” He was a pastor in Woodbury at the time and asked the Lord to give him direction.
Nylin said, “Dr. Schrader told me that a new Bible teacher position had just opened up, and he asked me if I would be interested. In the moment we just laughed about the possibility of me being a teacher, but once I thought about it I thought that this could possibly be the direction the Lord is leading me in.”
Dr. Schrader said, “Matt Nylin and I come from a very similar background. We both were youth pastors with zero teaching experience, but the Lord opened up doors for us here at New Life.” He added, “We both are not trained to be a teacher, but there is something so special about New Life that makes people know that they are meant to be here.”
After talking with Dr. Schrader, Matt Nylin applied for the new Bible teacher position. He said, “I figured that if I got the job, then that was the Lord opening up a new door, and that I would run with it.” Months later, Matt Nylin was hired.
The fact that I get to be back with the next generation and teaching the content that I’m super passionate about, it’s like a dream.
Mr. Nylin, Middle School Bible Teacher
This year Mr. Nylin is teaching three 6th grade Bible classes and two 7th grade Bible classes. He said, “My goal for my students is to not just pass my class, but to grow, learn, and develop personally.”
7th grader Mia Moreno said, “I love having Mr. Nylin as a teacher. I always feel super comfortable in his classroom, and I feel like he understands us. He is a great teacher and helps us be excited about learning.”
Matt Nylin hopes to make an impact as a teacher. He said, “I want my students to know that yes, I’m their teacher, but also that I am always there for them. If they are experiencing something hard, if they want to just breathe and relax, or if they simply need somebody to talk to, my room is a safe place that they are always welcome.”