Matt and EB have had the chance to share Christ throughout Eastern Europe since 2002.  They have seen first hand the spiritual extremes of Europe: from places with the spiritual hardness of secularism such as the Czech Republic, to areas where hearts are open to the gospel as in Albania and Bosnia.  As Director of Development for Campus Crusade for Christ in Eastern Europe, Matt desires to facilitate partnerships between churches in America with Christians working in the field in their own countries.  He enjoys traveling around Eastern Europe, speaking at conferences and university campuses as he shares his faith to the unbeliever, disciples new Christians, and encourages and supports those helping to spread the Gospel.

“My ministry is to help resource the work of the gospel across Eastern Europe and Russia, where it is culturally Christian in most places, but the number of evangelicals is very small”, states Matt.  “The church in these countries is very poor and she cannot afford to pay pastors, let alone fund missionaries and outreach strategies.  The doors across much of Eastern Europe and Russia are open to the gospel; what is lacking are resources and laborers to walk through those open doors.”  Matt’s goal is to build bridges from churches in America to those not only in Eastern Europe and Russia but also across the whole planet, with the hope that every man, woman and child has the opportunity to hear about Jesus.

The Jackson’s have five children, who consider Hungary home and attend the International Christian School of Budapest.  Even though EB stays busy supporting Matt’s ministry and managing their household, her gift is one of hospitality.  It is her passion to use her home as a place of encouragement to those who visit them in Budapest, as well as a place where she can welcome and minister to her Hungarian friends.

For a unique look at a view of the mission field from the perspective of a “Missionary Kid”, please see the following essay written by Matt and EB’s oldest daughter, Liz.