As self-taught guitar player from the age of 10, Matt Fafrak fell in love with music at an early age. At 14 years old, Matt gave his heart to Jesus at a Charismatic Catholic Prayer Group in Twinsburg, Ohio. Continuing to grow in his faith, he remained involved in the prayer group for the next 12 years as a worship leader.
Matt gives thanks for a career built on his passions of music and ministry. Currently, he serves as the Newman Center Music Minister for the University of Akron (2010) and the Life Teen Music Minister at St. Barnabas (2011). Matt's band consists of several different members of his music ministry teams that play with him every Sunday at his various Mass times.
In addition to his regularly held positions, Matt leads numerous retreats, conferences and activities, including: Life Teen Summer Camp, Cleveland Youth Conference, Youth Rally at the Fest, the Cleveland Catholic Charismatic Conference and XLT at the Center for Pastoral Leadership. One of Matt's major accomplishments includes a new and growing ministry that he started out of his home which now moved to a church: First Fridays at Francis. He co-leads this ministry with a few colleagues on the first Friday of every month at his former parish, St. Francis of Assisi.
"Matt Fafrak truly enjoys spreading God’s message through worship and praise. He is an accomplished professional whose motivational style includes a combination of speaking and singing. Whether leading the young or old, Matt is able to engage and spiritually inspire his audience."
- Elementary School Principal
"Matt Fafrak is my "go to" Praise and Worship leader in my 19th year as a Youth Minister. He is musically gifted, vocally and instrumentally, and is able to prayerfully lead and involve those who are gathered, be it tweens, teens or adults. He is dependable, professional, and will exceed your expectations."
- Youth Minister
"Matt is one of the most inspiring and loving people I'ver ever met! Getting to worship with him has been such a blessing; musically and spiritually. Seeing his ability to simply worship has had a huge effect on me as I journey though high school! Everyone in youth group loves Matt so much and I've seen God use his incredible talent countless times to inspire a passion for God in the hearts of my peers. He's truly awesome!"
-High School Teen
"God has called Matt to sing praise and lead worship, and he lives this out every day of his life. I have seen his ability to respond to the promptings of the Spirit which allows him to invite others into deeper prayer, adoration, and worship of the God of the universe. He is relatable, approachable, and is not too proud to have fun with young people of all ages!"
-Lifeteen International staff member