It is with great joy that we introduce Rev. Matthew Olson as the Interim Dean of the SDB School of Ministry. Matt has tremendous experience among SDBs and beyond, and has deeply invested in a significant number of SDB pastors and ministry leaders over the years. September 1st marked the date that Matt’s formal role began with the SDB General Conference.
We are incredibly thankful for the great SDB education foundation that Rev. Nick Kersten has established as the SDB Director of Christian Education. We also celebrate Nick’s next chapter as the lead pastor of the Milton SDB Church (Milton, WI), and ongoing service to the SDB General Conference as Librarian-Historian. We are grateful for Nick’s attention to getting Matt launched in the role of Interim Dean during this season of transition.
Introducing Matthew Olson
Matthew Olson hails from New Auburn, Wisconsin, and has contributed to Seventh Day Baptists in numerous roles since 1981. His service includes two years with the Summer Christian Service Corps, time as national youth director, membership on multiple SDB boards and agencies, short-term missionary work in both the Philippines and Zambia, as an instructor for SDBU, and writing a sermon preparation manual for Seventh Day Baptists.
In 1992, Matthew earned his Master of Divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary and was called that same year to pastor the Seventh Day Baptist Church of Berlin, New York, where he still ministers today alongside his wife, Ellen. Together, they have four daughters: Juliet, Emily, Rebecca, and Elizabeth. Outside of church activities, Matthew enjoys traveling to National Parks with Ellen and restoring malaise-era Ford Mustangs while listening to Elvis.
The Dean Role
The Dean of the SDB School of Ministry will play a key role in strengthening the student experience and investing in the next generation of Seventh Day Baptist leaders. Through mentorship, pastoral support, recruitment, and connection to ministry opportunities, the Dean will help students grow in their faith, discover their calling, and prepare for meaningful service. Working alongside Seventh Day Baptist University (SDBU) and Conference leaders, the Dean will also help bring fresh energy and vision to the continued growth of Seventh Day Baptist University.
As per SDB Conference Session 2026 ratification, the stand alone position of Dean of the SDB School of Ministry was established. This role has previously been one of many hats that Rev. Nick Kersten has worn over the past decade of service with the SDB General Conference. As of September 1st, Nick commenced his service as the Pastor of the Milton SDB Church (Milton, WI). At the same time, Nick has also started his part-time tenure as the SDB Librarian-Historian of the SDB General Conference.
Rev. Matt Olson began serving as the Interim Dean as of September 1st. He is also the SDB Executive who will be collaborating with the SDB Christian Education Council. In this role, Matt is also a member of the SDB Coordinated Leadership Team, which includes other SDB Executives who collaborate with Councils and Standing Committees: Jeremiah Owen, Senior Director of Strategy, Innovation, and Partnerships; Nate Crandall, Director of Coaching; Nick Kersten, Librarian-Historian; Lydia Solomon, Women’s Board President; Ron Ochs, Director of Finance; Andy Samuels, SDB Missionary Society Chief Executive Director; Miriam Berg, SDB Missionary Society Director of Advancement and Operations; Carl Greene, SDB General Conference Executive Director.
