Grace, Grief, and the Intersection of Medicine & Ministry (featuring Matt Rehrer)

Welcome to afterWord, an extended conversation about topics that matter, hosted by Kent Dresdow, senior pastor at NorthCreek Church. In this episode, Kent is joined by Jeremy Pray as they sit down with Matt Rehrer, one of NorthCreek’s executive pastors.

Matt and Jeremy currently share the role of executive pastor, and this episode focuses on Matt’s story. In the next episode, the conversation will turn to Jeremy.

In this episode, we sit down with Matt to hear his powerful story—one marked by early faith, deep sorrow, and profound grace.

Raised in the South and drawn to Christ at a young age, Matt shares how a personal struggle shaped his understanding of the gospel. But it was a life-altering event in his twenties—just after marriage and the start of a demanding professional journey—that tested everything. What followed was unimaginable loss... and unexpected preservation. In the midst of devastation, certain items were untouched—reminders that God was near, even there.

Matt opens up about the quiet strength that sustained him, the words that held him together, and the slow process of healing. He also reflects on the unique overlap between his calling in medicine and his role in ministry—how caring for the body has shaped his approach to caring for the soul.

You’ll also get a glimpse into his work as an author, where he brings biblical wisdom to real-world struggles like grief and sleeplessness.

This is part one of a special two-part conversation designed to help you get to know the executive pastors at NorthCreek Church. It’s a story of loss, healing, and hope—one that reminds us how God meets us in our deepest valleys.

afterWord, Podcast, NorthCreek Church, Kent Dresdow, Jeremy Pray, Matt Rehrer, Executive Pastor, Christianity, Faith, Testimony, Conversion, Baptism, Grief, Suffering, Family Tragedy, Loss, Car Accident, Psalm 73, God's Grace, Ministry, Medicine, Medical Ministry, Doctor, Emergency Room Doctor, Biblical Counseling, Caring for Soul and Body, Christian Writing, Redeeming Memory: How God Transforms Memories from a Heavy Burden to a Blessed Hope (Counsel for the Heart), Sleep, Sleepless, Biblical Worldview, Christian Living, Pastoral Ministry, Wisdom

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Conversation

01:04 Matt's Journey to Christ

03:36 Family and Personal Life

04:05 Tragedy and Transformation

14:21 Education and Medical Background

19:19 The Intersection of Medicine and Ministry

28:01 Writing and Future Projects