Matt Caward

Great 4.9(27)
Great value
  • 39 hires
  • Based in Grand Island, NE
  • 27 years in business
  • 1 employee
  • Responds in about 1 hour
  • Background checked

About Matt Caward

Matthew Caward has spent three decades ministering and encouraging Firefighters, firefighter families, and community members after they have endured hardship or suffered a loss in this very challenging life. Whether serving as a soldier, a pastor, a firefighter, a business owner, a coach, a father, or a husband of 27 years, Matt has devoted his entire life to serving others. He motivates and inspires individuals, families, and audiences when he has the opportunity to speak, to rise out of the ashes of destruction or turmoil, and to let God's unique and powerful Grace breathe new purpose for your life and give you a renewed sense to share an Agape love with the rest of the world. After heading off to College to play football and baseball in Kansas, he met the love of his life and married her the following summer. Matt and his wife Crystal started their family early as Matt began his service in the US Army Chaplaincy Corps. Matt spent the next six years serving soldiers and families as a Chaplain’'s assistant stationed stateside in Alabama. Matt then moved to Arizona for the next few years as the manager and director of a Christian youth camp in Northern Arizona, where he grew up. Eventually, Matt would find a new calling in the Fire Service. A calling would lead him and his family to New Mexico, where he would serve as a full-time Pastor and professional firefighter for Bernalillo County and Mountainside UMC, respectively. In 2007 Matt was certified as a Fire Service Chaplain By the International Association of Fire Chaplains and began the first Chaplaincy program in BCFD's 50-year History. Matt would make history by being pinned as the first Fire Chaplain and three years later named the department’s first full-time Chaplain. Matt has served faithfully in the New Mexico community since 2003. His Fire Career was exemplary, earning honors as Firefighter of the Year in 2008, being certified in multiple aspects of the job, including Fire Department Engineer, then as a company officer at the rank of Lieutenant, and a promotion to Captain in 2018. Matt's passion continues to be service to his fellow man, service to his family, and his brothers and sisters in the Fire Department and community. Matt works tirelessly to improve the department's morale, teamwork, and communication skills. He inspires members and families to achieve their dreams by coping with and overcoming even the greatest of heartache and tragedy. With his extensive background as a firefighter, company officer, speaker, teacher, motivator, business owner, Father, Husband, Pro Football player, and professional football coach, including the first professional sports Championship in the state of New Mexico, and 27 years in ministry as a pastor and counselor, Matt has honed his skills to motivate, encourage and inspire audiences and people who are often difficult to motivate. With his passion and experience, Matt connects with people immediately. He delivers content, guidance, advice, and leadership that can help inspire people to overcome and rise amid tragedy or surpass their expectations to the heights of their goals and dreams. Matt is an ordained minister. A graduate of The College of the Open Bible in South Carolina with a Bachelor's and Master's in Biblical Theology. He is also a graduate of Eastern New Mexico University with a Bachelor's degree in Fire Administration and a Master's degree in Business Administration from California Coast University. He is currently a doctoral student in Chaplaincy at Liberty University.

Reviews

Annette R.Sep 2026

Matt came out took time to check my roof and sat and went over everything with me

Diane S.May 2024

Pastor Matt was amazing! He made Our ceremony perfect. Christian Service! You won’t go wrong choosing him. Pastor Matt personalized our ceremony, it was simply amazing. We trusted Pastor Matt so much we let him choose our location the morning of our wedding. We told him what we wanted and Pastor Matt went way beyond anything we could have asked for. You will feel as if your very best friend is marrying you from the word hello. I come from a long list of missionaries and pastors, and this was simply an amazing service. Please feel free to use us a reference any time!

Patricia S.Dec 2023

Wonderful small wedding for us and our family. He brought Christian and Jewish readings that were perfect for us. 100% a professional. We didn't ask for much and he brought more than expected. Thank you again and I'm so glad we found you on thumbtack.

Jenay L.Oct 2023

Matt was our officiant for my husband and I and it was a beautiful ceremony! We truly appreciated the words he spoke and his message about marriage and our union with God. It was very important to us to have an officiant who shared our Christian values, plus my husband and I met as wildland firefighters so it was special to have a fellow firefighter as well! During our first conversation Matt reminded us that however the ceremony goes is exactly how it’s supposed to go, and that kind of confidence and faith made our ceremony feel so natural and perfect!

Annette C E.May 2023

Matt delivered a beautiful service. For our Vow renewal We wanted something simple, brief and sweet. Matt sent us what he had in mind and my husband and I both liked it. He customized it to our needs and it was executed seemlessly

Shari L.Dec 2022

Matt was truly sent from Heaven to us. He accommodated us quickly and at home as was necessary due to being home bound. His thoughtfulness will always be appreciated. Thanks again Matt.

Alisha S.Nov 2022

Pastor Matt was exceptional! He was super nice, supportive, funny, punctual, and professional. You can tell he really cares about what he does! Definitely would recommend especially for a Christian ceremony like we had! Thank you Pastor Matt!

Katie H.Oct 2022

Matt did an amazing job at our small, intimate ceremony. His words were very meaningful and brought everyone to tears. Thank you so much!

Chantel T.May 2022

Our wedding went very smooth & with Matt’s officiating it was beautiful. It was exactly what we wanted. Thank you for giving us a the perfect day we will always remember!

Teresa B.Oct 2021

Matt Caward was really excellent in every way! We are so very happy that we selected him to marry us!!

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Matt Caward★ 4.9
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