The Tea Table is a special feature where you have the chance to get to know our team on a more personal level. Pour yourself some tea (hot or sweet– we won’t judge) and enjoy. Have a question you’d like to ask our team? Just leave it in the comments below!
What is your name and what is your role at CODE?
My name is Matthew Murray and I am the Executive Director and Founder of CODE Ministries.
When and how did you get started with CODE?
I started CODE back in 2009 after returning from two missions trips and feeling called to the mission field. After running into all sorts of difficulties with other missions boards I felt like there had to be a better way, and that is when God called me to start CODE to help people get to the missions field– not in a new way, but in a way more similar to the Gospel.
What has been your favorite part of serving with CODE so far?
My favorite part about serving with CODE is getting to help make people’s dreams come true. Two of my greatest passions are Dream and Story, and with my job I get to deal with both, basically on a daily basis. During the interview process, I get to meet new and amazing people all the time. I get to hear their story of how God has taken them from one place to another and has given them a dream– a dream that, in some cases, I get to help make come true. And in turn, they get to help make others’ dreams come true! So that is probably the best part of my job at CODE.
What are you most excited about for 2015?
I am most excited to see where God is going to take us this year! We have been around for just over 5 years, but have only really been operating for the past year and a half now. In that time, we have tripled in size and have grown and matured in so many other ways that I can’t wait to see what God does with us in 2015. We really rely on God to lead and guide this ministry, and I don’t think I would have believed you a year ago if you told me we would be where we are now, so I am excited to see how God is going to blow all of our minds at where we will be this time next year!
What is your favorite country?
I spent the last year of my life in Thailand and really fell in love with the people and the culture and the climate. However, I think my favorite country I have ever been to is Nepal. It was by far the most beautiful place I have ever been, and it didn’t hurt that the people and the food were great as well. I even had one of the most amazing experiences with the Lord there. I even wrote a blog about it! You can check that out here.
What is your favorite food?
Well, I don’t think I would be a true New Yorker if I didn’t say pizza. We have some of the best pizza in the world (that I have tried anyway) right here in New York. If you haven’t tried a New York Slice, you should really check it out!
What is one country you would like to see that you haven’t yet visited?
I would really like to visit the Tibet area of China. After spending a year in an overwhelmingly predominant Buddhist country, I would like to go and see where the religion originated. I love history and anthropology, so that is probably the top place on my list right now. Also, I hear they have Yetis… and who doesn’t want to see a Yeti?!
What is your favorite song right now?
My favorite song right now is “Out of Hiding” by Steffany Gretzinger from The Undoing album. This whole album speaks to me, but this song really speaks to me by reminding me that there is nothing I have done, am doing, or will ever do that could keep me from the Father’s love! Another great song on that album is “CeCie’s Lullaby,” but really the whole album is great so you should check it out!
Now it’s your turn! We want to hear from you. What is one country you would like to see that you haven’t yet visited? Answer in the comments below!