Topher Matson

I was blessed to be born and raised in Northern California in a loving Christian home. I love laughing, oldies music, vintage cars and anything lovingly restored. As a kid, I was fortunate to attend Family Camp and later Ponderosa Lodge. I didn’t know it then, but the generosity of donors made it possible

During college, I served three summers (04/05/07) at Day Camp. Some of you might know me as Spiff. It was then that God shared with me that He would one day bring me back to serve year-round at Mount Hermon, but during a tough season. It was a thrilling thought after witnessing camp ministry from the inside, but a little puzzling too. I was studying Business Strategy at Point Loma Nazarene University and I thought my ministry trajectory would be to dive into a business career and make money for the Lord.

Soon after, I was blessed to marry Kelly, a college friend and Ponderosa Lodge counselor (07/08). The market crash of 08 meant we had to take work where we could get it, and God took us on many interesting little adventures before landing us in Auburn, CA where we purchased a home.

After years of praying that we could start a family, we became the parents of one, then two rambunctious boys. Parenting brings with it a whole new set of burdens. As we reflected on how to trust God with these cares and impact the world for the next generation, a new staff role became available at Mount Hermon. We were able to sell our home and move into Mount Hermon staff housing in May 2018. It’s a fun God story, so I won’t spoil it here.

God continues to speak, lead and provide for Mount Hermon in exhilarating ways. He has given me a heart for His people and camp ministry as a whole. I am blessed to connect folks to the needs of this place so God’s work here can continue “till he returns or calls us home.”

If we haven’t met, I hope we can soon. I would love to hear your Mount Hermon God story and answer any of your questions. It’s incredible to think of all God has accomplished since 1906 when a faithful few said “yes” to his calling. We live in a lost and hurting world that desperately needs a place to meet their Savior and reconnect with each other. I wonder what God will do in our generation if we say “yes” to Him today!