Matt Nightingale is an educator, musician, speaker, writer, and spiritual director living and working in the North San Francisco Bay Area. He is the co-pastor (along with his long-time best friend, Tony Gapastione) of The Quest, a progressive American Baptist church in Novato, California.

As a gay Christian, Matt is passionate about the intersection of sexuality and spirituality. He works to create safe, sacred spaces for people exploring these identities. His TEDx talk, “Choosing Gratitude and Hope,” with his former wife, Luanne Nightingale, tells their story of their 23-year mixed-orientation marriage, an evolving understanding of faith and sexuality, and the choice to end their marriage with gratitude and hope. When he first acknowledged his authentic sexuality, Matt believed he needed to be cured, and tried to do this in the confines of the church where he then worked. Eventually, he grew to accept his sexuality though it cost him his marriage and the job he held in his church. 

Matt is now a spiritual director and support group facilitator with The Christian Closet, which offers web-based counseling, coaching, and spiritual direction for LGBTQ Christians. Matt’s musical/creative exploits have included performing a solo show at the Tulsa Jazz Hall of Fame, singing the national anthem at two 49ers games and a stint with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. His song, “Always Entertaining Me,” was featured in the hit Korean drama IRIS, and his song, “Going Home,” was recorded by Broadway star and Emmy winner Loretta Devine and is featured on the soundtrack of the short film “Neighbor.”

Matt is the proud father of Joshua (24), Jacob (21), Emily and Zachary (18).