Episode Details

Matthew Wyatt’s story is one of addiction, destruction, faith, redemption, and what can happen when a man finally reaches the point of complete surrender.

In this episode of Rain Brings Growth, Matthew shares the brutally honest story behind the man people see today.

Growing up in a deeply rooted LDS/Mormon family in small-town Washington, Matthew was raised around faith but eventually began questioning what he had been taught. His search for truth led him to study different religions, wrestle with the identity of Jesus, and eventually develop a completely different understanding of Christianity and his relationship with God.

But Matthew’s spiritual journey was only part of the battle.

After being prescribed pain medication, what began as legitimate use slowly developed into a devastating prescription drug addiction. His addiction escalated into stealing, prescription fraud, multiple dealers, arrests, felony charges, jail, job loss, alcoholism, broken trust, and a marriage hanging by a thread.

At one of the lowest points of his life, Matthew’s wife discovered dozens of empty vodka bottles he had hidden from his family. Divorce papers were on the table, and Matthew believed his wife and daughter would be better off without him.

On July 20, 2009, he decided to take his own life.

But in the final moments, something changed.

Matthew cried out to God and surrendered everything. The next morning, he and his wife began calling rehab facilities. The only facility that called him back was a faith-based treatment center.

What was supposed to be 30 days became 90 days.

Matthew says that season became less about simply overcoming addiction and more about falling in love with Jesus.

From there, his life began rebuilding piece by piece.

His marriage survived. His relationship with his daughter was restored. He entered ministry, became a youth pastor, family care pastor, and eventually returned to the same small Washington town where his addiction and arrest had once become public knowledge — this time as a lead pastor.

Matthew also shares the powerful story of using the same Bible that once held his suicide note to eventually preach, minister to others, and even lead his father-in-law to Christ before his death.

Years later, Matthew would earn multiple degrees, including a doctorate in ministry, while continuing to follow what he believed God was calling him to do. After leaving pastoral ministry, moving to Idaho, and spending nearly 10 months driving DoorDash despite his education and ministry experience, another door eventually opened.

Today, Matthew serves as Church Engagement Director for the Idaho Family Policy Center, working with pastors and churches across Idaho while continuing his ministry outside of the traditional pastor role.

This conversation goes far beyond addiction recovery.

Matt and Matthew talk about:

• Growing up LDS/Mormon and beginning to question his beliefs
• Searching for truth and discovering Christianity for himself
• LDS doctrine, Mormon culture, Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon
• Prescription painkiller addiction
• Prescription fraud, theft, felony charges, and jail
• Alcoholism and hiding addiction from his wife
• Losing jobs and destroying trust within his family
• The moment his wife was ready to leave
• His July 20, 2009 suicide attempt
• Crying out to God and completely surrendering
• Spending 90 days in a faith-based rehab
• Rebuilding his marriage after addiction
• Becoming the father and husband he wanted to be
• Transitioning from addiction and incarceration into ministry
• Returning to his hometown as a pastor
• Forgiveness, grace, and redemption
• Marriage, leadership, prayer, and reading Scripture
• Leaving pastoral ministry and entering a season of uncertainty
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