LEADERSHIP TEAM

Matthew S. Diehl

I was born and raised in Houston, Texas, in what I call a “Leave It To Beaver” neighborhood, graduating high school in 1976. However, my life took a deep dive into fallen humanity when I joined the Houston Police Department at 21. Before coming to Round Top (Dec. 1999), I was the pastor of a mission (new church plant) (1994-1997). Then, I served on staff in many roles at Houston Baptist University in the Office of Advancement for about two years. My official title was Alumni Director. The year before coming to Round Top, I served as the Southwest Ministry Representative in Houston for the American Bible Society, New York. 

My wife, Renee, and I, of 42 years, followed the Lord’s calling to Round Top in 1999. On September 29, 2020, Renee died of cancer. The Lord’s love and peace provided strength and encouragement through the year-long battle with cancer. We Believers know that we will all be united with the Lord and our loved ones someday. Renee’s time came sooner.

I survived bladder cancer (diagnosed in August 2015) after a few years and multiple treatments and surgeries. However, Renee was diagnosed with stage 4 appendiceal cancer when we realized there was something wrong. The best doctors in the world at MD Anderson, Houston, could not save her life. The Lord did save her eternal life, and she is now with Him forever. God’s grace, peace, and love sustain us through this temporal, fallen world’s sufferings and death. We chose to humble ourselves to God through life’s challenges. He did not disappoint us. We grew to a greater understanding of the love of God at work in our lives and in others. We choose God’s love to overcome all life’s challenges, including death. Renee had surrendered to God and chose His love to carry her through life and death. It is said that we do not leave this world with anything. We do leave this world with God’s love carrying us. God is love, and we are in Him, and He is in us (“In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” John 14:20 NAU). I pray these words find a home in someone’s heart who reads them and is faced with such a time in their life.

We have been blessed with two children, now adults, Christopher and Jeniffer, who blessed us with one granddaughter, Eve.  

My hobbies include taking pictures, driving cars, carpentry, staying in shape, and doing many outdoor activities. 

My training and experience include my first real profession as a Houston Police Officer (July 2, 1979).    I served 12 years in law enforcement.

I earned a BS in Political Science and Mass Media from Houston Baptist University (1990) and a Master of Divinity Degree with Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1994). I have continued experience in public service since I was twenty-one. In January 2024, I entered a Doctor of Ministry program (Apologetics) at Southern Evangelical Seminary.

Since serving in Round Top, I have also been involved in private business ownership and operations, which ended successfully. This experience provided great insight into the lives of many in our community and the challenges people face outside of ministry.

 

From Pastor Diehl

I recognize Jesus is the head of the church. I emphasize that under the Resurrected Lord’s leadership, I am to prepare and equip believers to serve Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit, which includes prayer, confession, forgiveness, service, and spending time in God’s Word. All of these are essential to all our lives as servants of the Lord, who works in our hearts to build a Christian Community of Faith. 

I pray that I avail myself of God’s Holy Spirit to work through me to serve His purposes and ways.

I believe God has called me and gifted me with compassion, teaching ability, preaching, and the ability to protect the church as shepherds are called. The Church’s Great Commission is to reach the lost. “Go therefore, make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

The Church consists of born-again believers. This means a person has surrendered their heart and mind (re-birth) to God (John 3:16), thereby being indwelled and empowered by His Holy Spirit to practice faith taught by Jesus, God our Savior (Acts 2:37,38). Jesus sent us a Helper (Holy Spirit) to empower Believers to live the life He has called us to live (Acts 2; John 14:26, 15:26, 16:7). Jesus did not call us to live the Christian life alone without His indwelling Holy Spirit. We will fail if we attempt it alone. Worshipping together as a Fellowship of Believers is a great way to draw closer to God and each other.

In today’s world, the word “Christian” has many meanings. Many define Christianity through the lens and filter of society’s culture. Therefore, for many, there is no truth in God’s infallible and inerrant Word. The truth is often believed to be what you feel is good for you at a point in your life. Therefore, secular culture accepts anything as Christianity.

The truth is that God’s Word teaches we must surrender to His love and grace to access the saving power of the Cross (John 3:16). You cannot have a saving relationship with God by earning or working your way through the rites of man-made institutions(Ephesians 2:8). Therefore, at Round Top Christian Fellowship, we are not aligned with a denomination. We are called to witness God’s proclaimed Word without error as contained in the Holy Bible’s 66 books, fulfill the Great Commission, make disciples, and baptize believers in the name of Jesus Christ. Being a work (Ephesians 2:8), water Baptism does not save you or make you a Believer but witnesses your surrender and faith in God. God’s great love invited us to ask Him to save us (Ezekiel 36:37; Matthew 7:7; Hebrews 10:22; 1 John 5:14)

I pray you worship with us soon.

Matthew

Veronica Skaggs

My passion is to share Christ with others.  I have experienced, in and through my family and community, Christ’s unfailing devotion and love.  To those whom much has been given, much is required.  This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly.  In a society that has lost sight of Christ as their first love, God has impressed on me the great urgency that we turn back to Him. Throughout my life God has continued to fill my heart with His great compassion and love for our children.  As a child advocate in His service, I continually strive to help promote and create a healthy environment for our children to learn and grow in. I grew up in a home hearing the Gospel message and understanding that God must always have first place in our lives.   His unconditional love was the reason for the Cross and has been experienced in my life.  It is my prayer that His unconditional love will touch your life as well.