My Name is Matt Kanner, I was born in the capital of Alabama, my life’s path led me to a Jewish home in New York, where I was raised and adopted by my wonderful parents. At the age of 22, I ventured to Connecticut, where I reside today and work at a mental health treatment center. I met my loving wife Cassi, and my two beautiful step-children; Kylie and Levi, here, also. In the earlier years of my life I recognized a distance between the rhythms of my life and the eternal hope I was meant to have. I did not have the understanding of how to bridge that distance, and to me, religion did not seem to have the answer. I wrestled with early childhood trauma and was able to identify fairly quickly many areas of my life that were in despair. It was evident to not only myself, but others as well – I needed real transformation. My journey to God was not without struggles, but when I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ, the weights that once held me down, addictions, adoption, disordered eating, anxiety, depression, were quenched and faith grew.

It began as a chance visit to a small church in Fair Haven, Connecticut, in 2019 that I had a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. The pastor’s sermon seemed like some sort of set up, as the message was about the pastor’s Jewish upbringing, attending the same college as I attended, struggling with many of the same things, even mentioned being adopted himself. I recognized my need for a savior. I felt the undeniable tug of the Holy Spirit, prompting me to surrender my life at the feet of Jesus Christ, our Messiah and Redeemer. As I stood there recording the date I accepted Christ, my babysitter from my childhood, who used to teach the Bible to me, called. She said: “I just feel like I needed to tell you that God loves you, and He accepts you.” I told her that I had just given my life to Jesus, and she said, “I knew God was trying to tell me something!” I began to understand the impossible avenues God used to reach me all this time to prove his faithfulness. He has become my rock and salvation. Jesus has redeemed my life In more ways than I could count. I’ve faced challenges in my walk with God, including a decision that required me to go against the grain of an extreme religious organization, upholding the truth in Christ; within my first year of following Jesus. Despite the persecution there, God proved to be greater.

God led me to a God-fearing church in Branford Connecticut. An authentic Spirit-led congregation, not only in word, but in deed, welcoming my family, who are also of Jewish heritage. God has led me to become Ordained in the Spiritual Coaching Ministry; where I get to come alongside others and encourage them in their walk with God. All would have been impossible if it wasn’t for God’s redemption and grace. There is an abundance of grace and knowledge found in the Bible, that through application there is freedom in Christ. I am here to help you in the areas of your life you may be struggling. My desire is not only to equip you along your walk with God, but also to persevere above life’s adversity by taking hold of the purpose God has purposed for you and within you. As your Spiritual Coaching Minister I am here to help you identify, plan and manage your goals.