A Mission from God: Longtime His House Campus Minister Matt Schantz departs fellowship

It’s not easy to pull up roots after two decades, but Matt Schantz will go where he feels he’s needed most.

Sunday marked the last time Schants served as the Campus Minister of His House. The Central Michigan University alumnus contributed to the religious group for almost 20 years.

“I’ve always wanted an opportunity to influence not only the church,” he said, “but the marketplace as well with faith and spirituality.”

Schantz will continue to follow God’s lessons in the workplace with his new position as the director of organization and development at the National Nail Corporation. He’ll move over Labor Day weekend to Grand Rapids with his wife and kids.

At his new position, the campus minister will hire, train and mold the business into one centered around values such as integrity and honesty. He said he’ll work to “bring faith into business.”

Replacing Schantz at His House’s Mount Pleasant location will be campus minister of His House Lake Superior State University Scott Crary.

The minister has been a part of His House for five years. He called Schantz a “great friend,” having served with him on statewide staff for eight years.

“At first, I was shocked and overwhelmed,” Crary said of Schantz’s departure. “However, after taking some time to pray, talk it through with my wife and some trusted friends, it was clear that God opened this door and it was up to us to walk through it. Five days later, we officially accepted the call to minister at CMU and then we began making plans to transition to Mount Pleasant.”

During his time at CMU, Schantz earned a master’s degree in Arts and Communication. He is currently working on his doctorate degree in student educational leadership at CMU and has taught communication classes on campus.

His House history

Schantz’s role at His House began in 1991 when the group only had 15 to 20 members.

The men and women gathered in the living room of what is now the Men’s House on Main Street, where members give out free hotdogs every Saturday night.

Over time, participation and attendance grew for His House.

To accommodate the growing numbers, Schantz and the fellowship purchased their hall at 211 West Broomfield St. three years ago.

Derek Collard, an intern ministry leader at His House, said Schantz is a great model of a man of character who shows a genuine love for people. He said many faculty, staff and students at CMU will miss Schantz.

“I’ve never questioned whether or not (Schantz) is doing is the right thing,” said Collard, a Sterling Heights senior. “He’s been a great example of how I hope to be someday, the way he lives his life with great integrity.”

Schantz has been grateful for the continuous support of his family. Because of his leadership role in the group, his duties sometimes required him to stay late nights on campus.

“My wife has been a key person in allowing me to be involved on campus,” he said. “My kids have attended events at CMU with us and have been exposed to a lot of great college experiences.”

Schantz said he measures the success of his ministry by how the students are doing five years after they graduate — if they are being good husbands and wives and if they still look to God.

“Matt Schantz was a faithful and passionate leader of His House,” said assistant campus Minister Josh Chaffin. “Matt has never been about doing everything by himself but rather he has helped thousands of college students gain a vision to reach the world for Christ, by first sharing the love of Jesus with a roommate or classmate.”