There are people that come into your life who make an incredible impact, and Steve Seelig is one of those for me. Always bigger than life and the life of the party, he breathed life into me and my ministry. Steve has a knack for seeing giftedness in people before they see it in themselves.
When we first met, I was a college minister in College Station but Steve saw something of “the city” in me. He saw a possibility that God could use me to impact my hometown of Houston before I saw it in myself. While on staff at Houston’s First Baptist Church Steve invited me to speak on Sunday nights and in the singles’ ministry event he led named Metro. Those opportunities were the biggest speaking invitations I had received in my ministry at that point! I was not sure if I was ready for them, but I said yes trusting that if Steve thought I was ready for them, then I must be. As I would conclude the messages and talk to people after the service, Steve and Bonita always stood with a word of encouragement and invitation to eat out! As we would make our way to the restaurant I always knew that laughter and wisdom were ahead. Not to mention Steve would always pick up the bill and order dessert! The combination of an opportunity to teach about Jesus and have a great meal thrust me into saying yes every time Steve would call!
Fast forward a few years, possibly a decade, and the same church was now looking for a pastor. As God had molded me through the years at Breakaway, now He was transitioning me to my first pastorate at an historic church, Houston’s First Baptist. As I look back on the thread that took me from Breakaway to Houston’s First, I distinctly see the vision of Steve. Truly a big God does big things in calling a newbie pastor to an incredible church. I’m so thankful for the risk Steve took inviting me to speak during those early days. Without the introduction and exposure to the church, I’m not sure I would be the pastor today. Pastoring Houston’s First is a joy, one of the most tremendous honors of my life. I look back on my journey and distinctly see that God used Steve and Bonita to connect the dots between my heart and this church. Now Sunday after Sunday I stand to preach God’s Word, knowing that God’s hand has led me here.
Our big God can do big things! He seeks out the least and the lost, He encourages the downtrodden, and He laid on the heart of the Seeligs that there was something in me that I had yet to discover. Now, as Steve and Bonita go through this challenging time, I know God is also tracing the path for them of BIG things because he is a BIG God.
Be encouraged and inspired as you navigate your way around this website and know that I am one of the many whose lives have been touched and changed by Steve. God has big things in store for you too.
Gregg Matte
Founder of Breakaway Ministries &
Pastor of Houston’s First Baptist Church
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