Matthew Cimorelli
Matthew
Cimorelli was raised in a Roman Catholic family as one of six children.
Because his father was in the Air Force, the family lived in several
places. His family was very musical, and played music at a folk mass at
the chapel on Fort Dix, NJ for three years in the early 1970s. As a young
boy he had a strong sense of call to the priesthood, but also felt called
to be a husband and father. After leaving high school in the early
1980’s, Matthew worked a number of jobs, including van and truck driver,
fork lift operator, HVAC technician, and technical school teacher. Music
and faith have been strongly connected throughout Matthew’s life. He was
a church musician at Corpus Christi Roman Catholic church in Willingboro,
NJ, for 8 years. In 1984 Matthew met Karen, the daughter of Pastor C.
Paul and Dolores Strockbine. Pastor Strockbine has preached at Living
Waters. Karen and Matthew married on April 12, 1986. Karen and Matthew
were blessed by the birth of their daughter, Jillian, on March 2, 1994.
ministry to teaching bible studies and writing, performing, and recording
contemporary Christian music with Karen and others. During this time he
realized that his understanding of the faith was not what was taught by
the Roman Church, and he discovered a theological home in the writings of
Luther and Melanchthon, as well as a worshiping home at Lord of Life
Lutheran Church in Tabernacle, NJ. Under the mentorship of Pastor David
Jones, Matthew served as High School Youth Director at Lord of Life, and
was heavily involved in the Music Ministry. Matthew sings and accompanies
himself on the guitar.
part-time in Liberal Studies at Thomas Edison State College in Trenton,
while working two jobs. Starting in 1999, in which
year he was also a voting member at the Churchwide Assembly, Matthew
attended Lutheran Theological
Seminary at Philadelphia full time, from which he recently graduated at
the top of his class. His daughter Jillian has enjoyed this time at
the seminary, has been quoted by students in their papers, the chaplain in
prayer, and is known by some of the faculty as "the little theologian".
Karen has worked as an office manager, and is skilled in internet
marketing and design. 
