Matt Rusten

Executive Director | Made to Flourish

Matt Rusten serves as the executive director for Made to Flourish. Made to Flourish empowers pastors and their churches to integrate faith, work, and economic wisdom for the flourishing of their communities. To date, the network has grown to over 2300 member pastors and 24 active city networks. Through local city events, online trainings, free resources, and a relational network, pastors grow in understanding a rich theology of work and economics and learn how to translate these ideas in corporate worship gatherings, discipleship ministries, and outreach in the community. As this happens, congregants increasingly know how faith in Christ can be lived out where they spend most of their time at work. For more information, visit madetoflourish.org. 

He has served in churches in North Dakota, Chicago, Kansas City, and Madison, WI. Prior to seminary and pastoral work, Matt worked at Microsoft in Fargo, ND. 

Matt and his wife, Margi, have two children, Olivia and Owen. 

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CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN ENTREPRENEUR

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Entrepreneurship Is About Those on the Economic Margins
Entrepreneurship Is About Those on the Economic Margins

What happens when people lose work, have little option of finding a traditional job, but (paradoxically) have access to significant capital? Last year gave us the answer: they start businesses.

Where is the Church When You Lose Your Job?
Where is the Church When You Lose Your Job?

Each year, nearly 20 million people lose their jobs. That’s how this article opens, but don’t worry—it gets hopeful from there. Hear Matt Rusten from Made to Flourish explain the role of the church when it comes to unemployment and how community can and should play a role in helping people get back on their feet.

What Does Big Data Tell Us About the Land of Opportunity?
What Does Big Data Tell Us About the Land of Opportunity?

Big data has revealed a shocking finding regarding the American dream: you have a better chance of achieving it if you don’t live in America. We Americans generally think of our country as the land of opportunity, that no matter where you’ve come from, you can improve your station in life through hard work.  But research by Raj Chetty at Stanford University reveals that for large swaths of people, they’d have a better chance of reaching the American Dream if they grew up in Canada. Or Great Britain. Or Denmark. In other words, America is no longer the leading candidate for the title, “The Land of Opportunity.”

Faith Driven Team