Meet Matt Meek
With ‘Reload’ the ECU camp fast approaching, the number of camp pamphlets you have building up in your bag is in all likelihood increasing exponentially, even if you have already registered. What’s more there seems to be a countless number of people around you telling you to come to Reload “because it’s awesome”. Finally there are songs at main meetings suggesting to you that Reload could well be the place where you meet your future spouse. When you consider all these factors, Reload might be starting to sound a little bit surreal. This week ‘The Page’ has decided to anchor the camp firmly into reality by catching up with the gentleman who will be speaking at Reload. So without further rambling on my part in order to reach the minimum word count, this dear reader is your chance to take a glimpse into the life of Reload speaker and University of Wollongong ECU/FOCUS staff worker Matt Meek.
The Page: What is your full Name?
Matt Meek: Matthew John Meek
TP: Where did you grow up and go to high school?
MM: I used to live in Castlecrag, which is not far from Manly. I went to North Sydney Boys High School
TP: Do you support any sports teams?
MM: Yes I support Manly in the NRL. My dad’s mates were avid Manly supporters and my father took me to Brookvale Oval for the first time in 1972. Manly won the competition that year and another 3 times in the 1970’s so I figured it was a team worth supporting. I ended up playing 3 years junior football in the Manly District.
TP: Where did you go to Uni and what did you study?
MM: I went to the University of Sydney and studied a Bachelor of Arts majoring in languages. So I can speak fluent English, Indonesian and Japanese. I also have a marginal ability in Mandarin, French and Korean, though not enough to be able to keep up a conversation.
TP: Who is in your immediate family?
MM: Evelyn is my wife. Her background is Malaysian-born Chinese. I have a daughter Annabelle who is 20 months, and a son Christopher who is 2 months.
TP: What is your favourite food?
MM: Most foods if not all, but a couple of favourites include Bulgogi (Korean BBQ meat with sesame seeds), laksa (Malaysian coconut noodle soup), Beef Rending (Indonesian hot curried beef) and sushi.
TP: Can you do any impressions of celebrities?
MM: In the past I have done impressions of Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Benny from Abba.
TP: What did you do after you finished uni?
MM: I worked for five years as a Japanese translator/interpreter, this included working with the NSW Tourism Commission, doing publication work such as editing the Qantas Japanese language in-flight magazine, taking Japanese film crews around Australia, working in a Japanese book shop and teaching English to Japanese kids.
TP: Where do you go to church?
MM: I attend Wollongong Baptist Church. I used to go to both the evening and morning service but now it is mainly just the morning service with my family.
TP: How long have you been at UOW and how did you end up here?
MM: I started in ’98 so I am now in my 9th year. The short answer to how I got here is Richard Chin (that wasn’t a short joke –Ed). After studying at Bible College (Moore) I began ministry at Panania Anglican Church. Rich (who knew me from College) called up to say he had started a Christian group for international students (then known as IBM) at UOW and wanted me to teach the Bible to Indonesian and Japanese students, who happened to be the biggest groups of international students on campus at that time.
TP: How are you involved at UOW now?
MM: I am part of a wonderful team that teaches the Bible. I oversee the group we call FOCUS which ministers to our international students. I am involved in teaching and training both students and staff.
TP: What are you speaking on at Reload?
MM: The topic I was given was ‘The Holy Spirit, who is He?’ and I was happy to speak on this topic.
TP: Why should people be interested?
MM: Well I don’t want to give away too much, but without the Holy Spirit we would have no knowledge of God, we wouldn’t have salvation or a guarantee of heaven.
TP: Well thanks for sharing a little about yourself, is there anything else you would like to say to the ‘The Page’ readers?
MM: Please pray for me that I would speak in a way that explains the Holy Spirit in a way the Holy Spirit would want me to explain it. Pray that despite the busy start to the year, I’d get my preparation done and talks written. Please come along to Reload and see how your prayer has been answered!
[Lachlan Orr]
<< Evangeli-what? | Return to the Index | Books Aplenty! >>