Hall takes lead BCM role at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Matthew and Rebekah Hall

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – At the start of January, Matthew Hall began his new role with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention as Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) campus minister at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.  

“I’ve been loving it since I got to step foot in that office the first day,” Hall said.  

Already sharing the love of God with college students through his work as a campus missionary with the BCM at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Hall said he had not been looking for a new position when Bruce Venable, Arkansas Baptist State Convention College + Young Leader Team leader, reached out to him about coming to Arkansas. Hall and his wife, Rebekah, were content with where they were.  

“When Bruce called me, I was kind of in shock because I had basically known him for like three weeks. I met him at collegiate week. We were talking. I didn’t think anything of it. I didn’t know that he would be praying and seeing me as a viable candidate for the position,” Hall said. “It was when we came out here and got to see Pine Bluff that we were like this makes sense. We want to be here.” 

Venable and Hall met during collegiate week in Oklahoma.   

“He is hard to miss. His personality is huge and only surpassed by his love for Jesus being lifted among college students.  He is a perfect fit for UAPB and already developing relationships with pastors, administration and students.  I will enjoy watching his contagious personality make Jesus known,” Venable said.  

When Hall was officially hired in early December, he said it was a “breath of fresh air” to call Pine Bluff home.  

A native of Carencro, Louisiana, Hall attended University of Louisiana at Lafayette for three years, majoring in music education and organizational communication. His junior year he transferred to News Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree and is now earning his master’s degree in theological studies. He hopes to complete a second master’s in marriage and family counseling.  

Hall and his wife, Rebekah, have a Belgian Shepherd named Ahsoka.  

Hall enjoys cooking, especially Cajun food. He loves music and is a musician. He is a classically trained flutist by trade and plays the guitar, piano and trombone. He also enjoys hiking and the outdoors.  

Hall, 26, was saved his first year of college, found the BCM and never looked back.  

“I’m loving it. I love my job,” Hall said. “I’m just really thankful that God would put a guy like me in a position like this to love college students when I was loved so well as one.”