Matt Corcoran

Matt Joseph Corcoran is the third and final child of John and Nancy Corcoran. He is married to Marlee Corcoran; they have two children, Ella and Natalie.

### Occupation

student (former: preacher, professional soccer player)

## Early Life

Matthew Joseph Corcoran was born on September 5, 1987, to John and Nancy Corcoran. His parents brought him and his siblings up in Downington, Pennsylvania, where they were close to much of Matt's extended family.

As a child, Matt's family had a set time for breakfast and dinner, which all family members attended. These meals also included daily family devotions.

Matt was homeschooled until the 11th grade, when he began attending Downington West High School. During his last two years of high school, Matt began to get involved in the "weekend party scene".  Matt played soccer while in high school, and was named regional All-America as a junior.

## Family

### Courtship

Matt met Harold and Madelynn LeFond while they were visiting a friend in San Antonio and happened to attend a church fellowship at Matt's house. Matt struck up a friendship with Harold, and a couple months later when visiting Harold and Madelynn he was introduced to Madelynn's sister, Marlee. As he began to get to know her, he started praying about pursuing a relationship with her. Shortly after, Matt went on a mission trip to Central America with the Frigell family, where he spent more time with Marlee and discovered his interest in her was mutual. On December 11, 2015, he asked her father's permission to begin getting to know her more seriously. On June 20, 2016, the couple announced that they were courting.

### Engagement

On July 26, 2016, while on a trip to New York City, Matt took Marlee onto the rooftop of a building under the pretense of taking sunset photos together with Matt's photographer friend. He had arranged for a string quartet to be playing one of Marlee's favorite hymns. It was here that he proposed to her.

### Wedding

On November 5, 2016, Matt married Marlee Frigell at the Cathedral of the Ozarks at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas in front of nearly 1,000 guests. The ceremony was officiated by Matt's father, Jim Corcoran. Matt's best man was his brother, John Corcoran. Marlee's brother, Malachi-David Frigell, and brother-in-law, Harold LeFond were among the groomsmen. Matt's sister, Talia, was one of the bridesmaids.

The couple went to Australia for their honeymoon. The honeymoon was featured on *Counting On* episode "A Honeymoon & a Courtship".

### Fatherhood

On January 3, 2018, Matt and Marlee announced that they were expecting their first child.

On April 9, 2018, Matt and Marlee announced that their child would be a girl.

At 4:37 am on July 19, 2018, Matt's first daughter, Ella Nicole Corcoran, was born. She weighed 8 lb, 3 oz, and was 19.5 inches long. In a statement to People Magazine, Matt said “God is so kind. Both mom and baby are healthy, doing great, and resting well. We are very thankful for her safe arrival and look forward to life as parents!”

On May 28, 2020, Matt and Marlee announced that they are expecting their second child, a girl, who is due in November of 2020. In this announcement they also shared that they experienced a miscarriage in the fall of 2019. In May 2021, when their book 'The Hope We Hold' was published, the dedication inside named their miscarried child as Jillian Grace.

On November 22, 2020, Matt's second daughter, Natalie Jo Corcoran was born. She weighed 7lbs.

## Career

### Education

Matt begin attending Hartwick University in 2007, where he was studying business. In 2009, he transferred to Syracuse University for his senior year, where he was enrolled in the MBA program in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. He continued to play soccer as a goalkeeper at both universities, and in 2010 was his team's captain. Matt graduated from Syracuse University in 2010.

On May 14, 2018, Matt announced that he had been accepted into the theological and pastoral studies program at The Master's Seminary.

In July of 2019, he moved to Los Angeles to attend seminary full-time.

### Professional Soccer Career

After graduating from college, Matt began playing with Finnish First Division side AC Oulu. In January of 2012, he signed with the New York Red Bulls. Matt said of his time in New York, it “proved to be one of the most difficult, while simultaneously being one of the most fulfilling, that I had ever had. Soccer did not progress how I had foreseen but it was clear that God was molding and nurturing me. I could go into great detail on the particulars but, for the sake of brevity, will simply say that God humbled me beyond what I thought possible.” On November 19, 2012, the team declined his option for the next season. Matt went on to make a trial appearance with Finnish club HJK Helsinki in 2013 and was also offered a chance to join a North Caroline team for preseason training. Although Matt posted a blog post on March 6, 2013, claiming that he would be leaving soccer to pursue full-time ministry, later that month he announced on Twitter that he had signed a contract with the San Antonio Scorpions.

### Pastor Career

For a few years, Matt studied under Dillon Currie of Grace Community Church in San Antonio, TX. On March 5, 2016, he was ordained a pastor at Grace Community Church in Laredo, TX. Around this time, Matt officially became the pastor of GCC. He left this position in the summer of 2019 to attend seminary full-time in Los Angeles.

## Arrest Record

On January 16, 2008, Matt was arrested for harassing a police officer. According to the arrest record, which was obtained and published by *In Touch* magazine in June of 2016, Matt "was acting belligerent and shouting obscenities". He was held overnight and fined $250.