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Ethan Matott

Background​

  • Pastor at Red Rocks Austin, part of the Red Rocks Church network
  • Age 36 (as of July 2025)
  • Originally from Denver/Colorado area
  • Came to faith in college at Boulder, Colorado (described as an "unlikely place")
  • Moved from Denver to Austin in 2018 to plant Red Rocks Austin church
  • Married with children, including 6-year-old son Zeke who owns a leopard gecko named Cap

Ministry & Church Leadership​

  • One of the founding pastors of Red Rocks Austin, which launched in 2018
  • Works alongside senior leadership including Sean (senior pastor of Red Rocks network)
  • Close ministry partnership with Doug and Ryan (friends since high school)
  • Known for authentic, vulnerable preaching style addressing his own past struggles and insecurities

Personal Journey & Testimony​

  • Describes himself as coming from an unlikely background for ministry
  • Struggled with looking very young for his age throughout his teens and early adulthood
  • Had significant insecurity about his past and qualifications for ministry
  • Strong emphasis on God using "unlikely people in unlikely times and places"
  • Influenced by his grandmother's wisdom: "God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called"

Teaching Focus & Theology​

  • Passionate about revival and spiritual awakening
  • Believes current time (2025) represents a significant revival period in church history
  • Strong emphasis on:
    • God's grace and returning to relationship with Jesus
    • Authority of Scripture and returning to God's Word
    • Worship and entering God's presence
    • Joy and celebration as essential to Christian life
    • Intergenerational ministry (all ages called to participate in God's work)

Church Philosophy & Mission​

  • Red Rocks motto: "Imperfect people pursuing a perfect God"
  • Mission: "Make Heaven more crowded"
  • Hospital model: "This is a hospital, not a courtroom - we don't pretend to be better than we are"
  • Strong emphasis on authenticity, vulnerability, and community
  • Focus on reaching people who wouldn't typically attend church

Current Ministry Context (2025)​

  • Leading what he believes is a significant revival movement
  • Preaching about widespread return to God happening globally
  • Emphasizing Gen Z's role in current spiritual awakening
  • Advocating for active participation rather than passive observation of revival
  • Teaching series focus on being "revival ready" and stepping into what God is doing

Ministry Statistics & Impact​

  • Red Rocks Austin holds Saturday services at 4pm and 6pm (mentioned "Rowdy Six" Saturday evening service)
  • Growing congregation with increasing baptisms
  • Prison ministry component through McKenzie Hamilton at Arlane Murray unit
  • Services now available on GoGo app reaching 1,250 correctional facilities
  • Reports church growth across all Red Rocks locations

Personal Characteristics​

  • Self-deprecating humor about his youthful appearance
  • Values intergenerational wisdom and mentorship
  • Strong family man, references to wife and children in teachings
  • Practical, business-minded approach to ministry
  • Emphasis on joy, celebration, and authentic relationship with God

Transcripts​

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2025-07-19-red-rocks-austin-ethan-matott-revival-sermon-summary2025-07-19Revival sermon emphasizing current spiritual awakening and readiness for God's work