Our Team

LEAD PASTOR/ELDER

Matt Herron has served as Lead Pastor of Sojourn Church since June 2006 primarily invested in vision and preaching. He holds a masters from Moody Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Kim, have four daughters, one son-in-law, and a dog he does not want to talk about. His life was radically changed by an awakening to the beauty of the gospel in 2009 and it has changed everything.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dave is responsible for staffing, operations, and ministry alignment. He is married to Em and they have two delightful daughters, Anna and Jill. He graduated with degrees in philosophy and law from Purdue and Notre Dame. Outside of work, you'll find Dave on a hike, at the library, or absorbed in a British period drama.

COMMUNITY & ARTS DIRECTOR

Kyle helps with all things related to worship, liturgy, music, and the arts. Kyle and his wife, Lindsey, love raising their four children on their family compound with grandparents. Apart from Sojourn, Kyle enjoys writing songs, designing/building all sorts of things, and a great conversation over a game of chess.

OFFICE MANAGER

Krista is the office manager at Sojourn and is often described as the glue that holds all of Sojourn together. Krista and her husband, Scott, have been a part of the Sojourn family since 2012. She enjoys time with her family and friends and loves spending time at the beach. 

SOJOURN STUDENTS DIRECTOR

Carter is responsible for developing the Sojourn Students curriculum, equipping leaders within the program, and planning the fun events our students enjoy throughout the year. Carter and his wife, Avery, moved to Traverse City in the winter of 2024. When Carter is not working, he enjoys running, rock climbing, and brewing specialty coffee.

SOJOURN GROUPS DIRECTOR

Sam helps identify and address discipleship needs within Sojourn, coaches and cares for CG leaders, and nurtures community life in the church. Sam and his wife Sara grew up in Traverse City and have been married since August of 2017. They have three children: Norah, Josiah, and Nevaeh. Sam enjoys good coffee with great company.

SOJOURN KIDS DIRECTOR

Kellie oversees Sojourn Kids, shepherding parents, children, and volunteers, equipping them to live and share the Gospel in all aspects of life. Kellie and her husband Jason are Traverse City natives and have one son, River. She loves camping, kayaking, beach days, and quilting.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION COACH

Jill serves alongside the staff as a spiritual formation coach and certified spiritual director, helping them care for the health of their souls by paying attention to the ways God is at work in their lives. She also offers prayer retreats shaped around the rhythms of the liturgical calendar. Raised in Leelanau County, Jill and her husband, Dennis, settled in Traverse City after meeting at CMU and have been part of the Sojourn story since 2017. They love their community, spending time with their nine grandchildren and their families, and enjoying hiking, biking, and life on the lake.

DISCIPLESHIP COACH

Lou brings more than 23 years of pastoral experience, including 19 years as a lead pastor in two churches. He is passionate about seeing the local church thrive through intentional disciplemaking and wise peacemaking. Lou and his wife, Patti, have been married for 47 years and have four children and 16 grandchildren. Outside of ministry, Lou enjoys investing in the local church, spending time with his family, and enjoying the many seasons of life together.

ELDER

Mitch is a member, community group leader, and elder at Sojourn with a heart for reaching others for Christ and equipping the saints.  Mitch and his wife Heather are entering their 19th year of marriage and have two daughters, Hannah and Claire.  Mitch is a teacher by trade and enjoys making things new including painting, car repair, and handyman work.

ELDER

Scott is one of the lay elders on the elder team responsible for shepherding the Sojourn flock - a position he has held since 2024. After graduating from the University of Michigan, Scott enjoyed a career as a scientist at Dow. Scott and Carol (wife) moved to Northport in 2020 after retiring.  He treasures time spent together with the growing families that his two adult sons are nurturing, being active outdoors experiencing the splendor of God through his creation, being in community with his fellow Sojourners, and fellowshiping with missionary partners working to shine the gospel into places where it is least proclaimed.

ELDER

Dave serves as a lay elder at Sojourn Church and counts it a privilege to walk alongside others as they grow in their relationship with Christ. He and his wife, Rebecca, have been married since meeting in the Chicago area, now call Traverse City home, and for the past 20 years Dave has served with Christ's Hope International, partnering with local churches to care for orphaned and vulnerable children in Africa. Dave and Rebecca enjoy spending time with their two adult children, hiking northern Michigan with their golden retriever, Opie, cherish friendships with believers around the world, and are grateful to worship and serve as part of the Sojourn Church family.

ELDER

Dennis has owned and operated Prout Financial Design in Traverse City since 1990. He and his wife, Jill, have been married for 43 years and have called the Traverse City area home since 1984; together, they have three children and nine grandchildren. They have been part of the Sojourn community for nearly nine years and continue to treasure the friendships and connections they have formed along the way. Outside of work, Dennis loves spending time with his family, hiking, enjoying the water, and embracing all the outdoor activities each season has to offer.