Matthew G. Mattson is a writer, speaker, social mystic, and spiritual leader dedicated to cultivating sacred human connection. As the founder of BETWEEN, an innovative and highly inclusive global faith community, Matt invites people to embrace curiosity, conversation, and shared moments of meaning. Drawing on his background in education and leadership, Matt has spent his career growing cause-based organizations and exploring the power of relationships--co-founding Phired Up, The Social Excellence Project, and GrowMyGroup. He lives in Colorado with his wife and daughters.

"[Mattson] argues that connecting with others can bolster spiritual growth, because even when conversations don't directly center faith, they can teach participants important moral lessons and help them practice caring for others as Jesus cares for them... Such a message is timely, and many of the author's stories are affecting." -Publishers Weekly

"Cathedrals of Connection is a breath of fresh air for anyone who feels both drawn to and disillusioned by faith. With honesty and gentle wisdom, Matt Mattson shows us how the sacred can be found in the everyday spaces between us, reminding us that the truest kind of church is built through love, presence, and relationship. This book is both an invitation and a gift." -Esther Joy Goetz, Spiritual Director, author and cohost of the Deconstructing Mamas Podcast

"Have you ever walked into a room and had your breath taken away by the beauty and said, 'This is a sacred space'? Or maybe you came upon a vista, were inspired, and thought, 'This is a sacred place.' Well, the book you're about to read is like that room, and it's like that view. This is a sacred book. The setting is this: The author, Matt, and you, the reader, are having a conversation at a coffee shop about spiritual things. I read the book with my morning coffee. I read about Matt's amazing adventures around the world, as well as his encounters with the kids on his block. I was underlining and dog-earing the pages. As I sipped my coffee, I felt I was being guided on a spiritual pilgrimage--Matt Mattson and I, with a cup of coffee and a book, building a cathedral of connection." --Rev. Dr. Steve Poos-Benson, author of Sent to Soar and The Jesus Path

"Cathedrals of Connection invites readers to imagine the tables we share as safe sanctuaries for one another. In Matthew's work, he shows how the connections we cultivate are made sacred through the stories we live--brought together by promoting openness & authenticity. Matthew's conversational tone is tender, tempered, and trustworthy. He models the kind of thoughtful dialogue that our current cultural moment desperately needs." --Liz Daye, Hospital Chaplain & Theologian

"At a time where we are relentlessly pummeled by technology, Cathedrals of Connection invites us to remember and embrace our humanity. While doing that, Matt consistently and kindly, and I think accurately, uses memoir, scripture, and reflection to point out that embracing our humanity and making connections with people is actually sacred. This book made me shout 'Amen!', this book made me cry, this book gave me hope, and this book made me want to drive to the author's city and have coffee and conversation. In a culture of immense religious upheaval, Matt invites us to recalibrate our compasses toward sacred connection. If you're looking for a deep dive into doctrine or theology, this is not the book for you. If you're looking for how we can be more like Jesus, this is a solid read." --Dr. Clark Roush, York University chair of the Division of Biblical Studies & Humanities

"By laying out the foundation for how we can better connect with each other and find God in our midst, Cathedrals of Connection provides a new way to approach church in the 21st century. Mattson has taken what could be a ponderous topic and turned it into an intimate conversation between himself and the reader using humor, humility, and honest introspection. I recommend this book for everyone looking for ways to better understand the why of their connection with each other and with God." --Ruth Ann Nelson. Lay Pastoral Leader and Senior Warden at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Aurora, Colorado

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