Matt Raines
Hi. I'm Matt Raines, and I have the joy of serving here at New Beginnings Church in Amherst, Ohio. I’ve been married to my wife, Melissa, for 28 years, and together we’ve raised three children—Makayla, Dawson, and Leanna. When I’m not preaching or meeting with people, you’ll usually find me working with our church family, planning what’s next, and doing my best to live the same grace I get to talk about every week.
My passion is simple: to help people draw closer to the God of grace. I believe real life change happens when we encounter the gospel and, as Paul says, “understood the grace of God in truth” (Colossians 1:5–6). That grace—revealed in Scripture and proven in my own life—is at the heart of everything I preach and lead.
I want New Beginnings to be a church family that shares the love of Jesus wherever we go. We endeavor to be a community where people can come as they are, find hope in Jesus, grow in God’s Word, and discover their place in His mission. Whether you’ve been in church your whole life or you’re just beginning to explore faith, my prayer is that you’ll experience Christ’s steady love, practical truth, and the fresh start He offers.