ST. LOUIS — A man born and raised on the south side of St. Louis desired change in his community and then decided to be a changemaker. Now, 24-year-old community leader Matthew Woodard is spreading light in dark times.
Five years ago he started two ministries, Saturday Night Live Praise and Men of God Ignite, aimed at getting more young adults off the streets and into a positive community.
Woodard's mission grew out of his respect and admiration for his grandfather, 83-year-old Reverend Matthew Turner, after whom Woodard is named. Growing up, Woodard has fond memories of going to the "Big House," his grandparents' home in Swansea, Illinois. It symbolized safety for his large family and the entire community.
"He kind of instilled all those things in me when it comes to loving people and giving back and love in general," Woodard said. "That relationship is extremely strong even beyond the conversations."
Woodard said God gave him the vision to start the ministries at his grandfather's church, Galilee Central Missionary Baptist Church in East St. Louis. When his grandfather retired, he kept his foot on the gas and continued the vision impacting one life at a time.
Rev. Turner is proud of his grandson.
The outreach Woodard leads begins in the streets of St. Louis, alongside 15 other people. They hand out flyers inviting young adults to different events and services hosted by the ministries every other month. As a result, there are 40 to 50 people that show up.
Once the young adults come to the events, they can choose to be part of a family-style community that checks in on one another, makes hospital and home visits, shares scriptures, and sends text messages to engage daily. They are recreating the safe haven Woodard feels at the "Big House" for the next generation that may not have that place.
Woodard credits his success to being approachable.
"It's as simple as finding a common interest," he said. "In our generation, we're so real, you know, we need real. So it's like, you have to be able to relate."
Woodard went to City Garden in downtown St. Louis to pass out flyers on the morning of July Fourth. He said his ministry gathered despite the potential danger as seen in recent incidents. They focused on getting their flyer in hands and at the end Woodard recalls three great conversations.
Less than 12 hours later chaos unraveled in the same place.
"Yes, It makes you cry sometimes to look at the conditions of things that's happening. But in order to have a better place to live, a better community, a better home, it starts with you," Rev. Turner.
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Although Woodard was not in the Downtown area on that night, he said he heard about the violence from his friend who was downtown with family for the fireworks display.
"It has to be another way. It has to be another change, which is why I feel like it was just not really using smart judgment, wise judgment, you know. And I'll just put it that way, cause you know young adults they like to just have fun, but at the same time we have to use wise judgment when it comes to those events, and when it comes to everyday living, you know safety," Woodard said about the conversation he had with his friend.
Men of God Ignite came out of a need to get more men inside the church, Woodard said. He said he would see people walking past his church on the street and think to himself they could use some redirection and love.
"We were igniting the flame and someone ignited the flame in the next person," Woodard said. "That's kind of where the word ignite comes from, and just with the word of God."
The 24-year-old said they have been able to give food to families during the holidays and provide resources to help men with their mental health needs.
Saturday Night Live Praise's mission is to bring both men and women into the church.
"You have to identify the problem and then work for a solution to better conditions," Rev. Turner said. "Better people will bring about better conditions. That's what I teach and that's what I stand on. You have to change the mindset and make them think they are somebody and appreciate who they are."
Woodard believes that "there is light and there is a better way," for the young adults who are choosing to participate in the violence across the St. Louis area. He believes that his age gives him an advantage.
"We are dedicated to the betterment of our young adults in St. Louis and it is something that we take serious," Woodard said.
