Pastor Matt graduated Cum Laude from Hope International University in Fullerton, CA with a B.S. in Christian Ministry. He is an exceedingly committed and driven servant leader with over twenty years of ministry experience, seeking to equip, motivate, and lead God’s people to live a lifestyle of worship. With a heart for helping people overcome, learn, laugh, grow, and succeed, Matt has invested in many lives by serving as an Associate as well as Worship Pastor for three churches in California.
Matt joined RHCC in November of 2017 as the Associate and Family Pastor and became Lead Pastor on March 1st, 2020. Together with his wife Lisa, they have three beautiful girls Abby, Emma, and Ayva. He is a lover of all things outdoors like camping, fishing, hunting, and golf, and loves to cook, whether it be on the grill or on the stove. He is also very rooted in music, raised in a very musical family of piano players, guitarists, and vocalists. You can always find him either listening to, singing, or playing music somewhere!
"I believe we have a unique and exciting opportunity, starting right now, to build strong, well-equipped, and powerful individuals and families here who will make a lasting and eternal impact in our communities and in our schools. I am very excited and looking forward to seeing lives being changed and people making decisions to follow Christ. There are absolutely no limits to how great and how effective Rolling Hills Community Church can be!"
With over 10 years of experience as a worship leader in the Texas Hill Country and 30 years of live music performances under his belt, Stuart Smith combines his experience with his love for Jesus Christ. A devoted follower of Christ, father of two daughters, Emery and Nevaeh and husband to wife Micka Smith for over 20 years, Stuart focusses on team building and growing with the RHCC Worship Team.
Jim and his wife Julie moved to Lago Vista in 2016 and have been active in the church and choir since then. Jim retired from 30+ years in the computer software business having lived in California and Australia. Prior to the computer business, Jim was an officer in the US Army and was involved both in airborne and Army Ranger Units.
Jim majored in both Chemistry and Public School Music at Southwestern College in Winfield KS and obtained a PhD in Chemistry from Kansas State University and later, an MBA from Pepperdine University.
Jim grew up in a musical family as his grandfather was a Professor of Music at Southwestern College for over thirty years and several members of his family were or are professional musicians. During his working career, Jim was almost always involved in church music and civic music and theater organizations. He directed several church choirs and was involved in a number of civic music and theater productions.
Here in Lago Vista, Jim is actively involved as President of Hill Country Singers, Vice President of Lake Travis Music Theater and is active with Lago Vista Players and Lakeside Singers.
Lisa Ritter has an extensive background working with children and youth that began in 1996. She served as a youth intern for Valley Bible Fellowship in Bakersfield, CA for one year before she majored in youth ministry at San Jose Christian College. She helped launch the first children's ministry at New Life Center in Taft, CA. She also helped organize Vacation Bible School for Olive Drive Church, which served hundreds of children in the Bakersfield area. Lisa served on children/youth staff in serval additional churches throughout California. She was on leadership with Intervarsity Fellowship at Bakersfield College.
Lisa has a background in working with non-profit organizations. She served as the administrative assistance for Jesus Shack in Bakersfield, CA bringing Christian concerts throughout California; with a mission to raise a generation to reach a generation. She also held a board member position for Be Finally Free, an organiaztion who strives to restore and equip those impacted by addiction, crime, incarceration, and poverty by providing education, instilling life skills and giving hope to overcome their circumstances.
Lisa joined RHCC in November of 2017 with her husband and our Lead Pastor, Matt Ritter. Together they began our youth program and serve nearly 60 youth each week. She began serving in Children's Ministry in June 2019, where she revised our children's program bringing new vision and excitement. Lisa has a passion for sharing God's Word to children through music, crafts, story time, skits and most importantly through relationship.
Adding to her list of passions, she accepted the position as Youth Director in May 2020. Lisa is also a volunteer leader for Young Life/WyldLife. In June 2020, Lisa began the first skate ministry in Lago Vista when Refuge Skate held its first free 3 day Skate Camp, which shared the love of Jesus through skateboarding to over 60 kids and youth in our community. She has overseen the build of a portable skate park for this ministry and has big plans for the future of this ministry.
Lisa and Matt have been married since April 2001, and have three beautiful daughters. All three girls serve in ministry throughout the church and can be found on the campus daily. Lisa loves spending time with her family, going to the beach, camping, road trips, crafting and being on Lake Travis.
"Our children and youth are growing up in such an interesting and challening time. I long to partner with each of them to provide help, support, guideance and joy as they endure the greatest journey of all. My passion is to provide excitment and energy as they come to learn about the most amazing man to walk this Earth. I strive to give kids an enviroment where they can be themselves and know that they are loved, protected and important. I look forward to the future of the children and youth ministry at RHCC."
A career administrator, Mrs. White has previously served with Texas State Health Services, Austin Community College, and The Junior League of Austin. Currently living in Jonestown, Lisa hales from Temple, Texas, is an active member of a Leander church, and has a passion for missions. We pray she helps us to be a better missionary outpost for Jesus Christ!