Let me start by saying, Thank You! The outpouring of love and prayers for my family and me has been so overwhelming that it has moved us to sobs. To see the tangible love of God for us in the saints has been overwhelming and a great comfort…Thanks.

Prognosis: Anaplastic oligodendroglioma

Battle Plan: Radiation and chemotherapy start on Dec. 29, bolstering my system with some homeopathic means.

Dec. 29 at 1 p.m.
Start radiation. This will continue every day for six weeks.
Chemo will be happening right along side of radiation and will go through February, and then we’ll take a four-week break, get an MRI and see where we stand.

The players:

Dr. Karen Fink, neuro-oncologist – Dr. Fink is the quarterback for my team, and she happens to be the Peyton Manning of neuro-oncology. Please pray for her as she monitors my treatment and vitals through all of this. Pray for her wisdom and insight.

Dr. Scott Cheek, radiation oncologist – I enjoy Dr. Cheek very much. He has a refreshing and encouraging personality with a great sense of humor.

Dr. David Barnett, neuro-surgeon – David performed my brain surgery, and it was an amazing success. He is a man of great faith, and I have enjoyed getting to know him as a surgeon and a brother.

Dr. Hammon, homeopathic doctor – He’s working with my other doctors. I have been moved by everyone’s humility and willingness to hear from each other

Prayers:

• My doctors
• That God might glorify Himself in amazing ways through all of this
• The Village Church and our elders
• Complete healing
• Healthy appetite
• Protection from side effects of radiation
• Protection from side effects of chemotherapy
• Peace for my family…specifically my children and their salvation
  • Audrey 7 yrs. old
  • Reid 4 yrs. old
  • Norah 6 ½ months

Christ is All,
Matt Chandler

We taped this video of Matt on Friday, Dec. 18 and aired it this weekend at our worship services. Matt and his family feel very loved and are grateful for your continued prayers.

The following video can also be found on The Village Church YouTube Channel:

Dear church,

In the first chapter of Philippians, the Apostle Paul writes that whatever imprisonments, beatings and trials he may have suffered, they all “serve to advance the gospel” of Jesus Christ. We implore you to keep the gospel of Christ as the main focus as we walk with Matt and Lauren through this trial.

On Tuesday, Dr. Barnett informed Matt and Lauren that the findings of the pathology report revealed a malignant brain tumor that was not encapsulated. The surgery to remove the tumor, the doctor said, was an extremely positive first step; however, because of the nature of the tumor, he was not able to remove all of it.

Matt, who is being released from the hospital today, is meeting with a neuro-oncologist this week to outline the next steps of the recovery process. There is a range of treatment possibilities but the exact course of action has not yet been determined. He will continue outpatient rehab.

The Lord is calling Matt and Lauren and The Village Church body to endure this trial. It will be a challenging road for Matt, his family and our church body. The gospel is our hope and the Lord is our strength. Matt and Lauren continue to find solace and hope in Christ. They weep facing this trial, but not as those without hope and perspective. The gospel clarifies their suffering and promises more of Christ through it all.

You have done a wonderful job respecting the family, and we ask that you continue to do this. They are processing all of this together and need you to give them precious space. Please do not visit them at their house unless personally invited by the Chandlers. The best way to serve the family is to continue to be faithful in prayer. Specifically, pray for the following:

• Wisdom for all the coming decisions
• Strength and peace to endure
• The kids’ (Audrey, Reid and Norah) hearts; pray the Lord is merciful as they process and that their little hearts do not grow embittered
• The Chandlers and The Village would suffer well because of the gospel and for the sake of Christ’s name

As you hurt and weep for the family, do not do it alone. Gather with your home group and with other believers in homes and pray together. This is a time to walk together with others and to endure this trial in community. If you wish, send cards and letters to Matt and Lauren at 2101 Justin Road, Flower Mound, TX 75028.

We will continue to keep you informed as new information is made available. Please be patient with the frequency of the updates. May God strengthen us all and may His glory shine brightly through this.

Matt’s doctor is meeting with him and Lauren and the family late today (Tuesday) to provide them the pathology report’s findings. We hope to communicate those results to you by noon Wednesday. Many of you have speculated that we know the results, but haven’t shared them. Actually, the family will learn the results for the first time today. The reason we are waiting till Wednesday to let everyone know is to give Matt and Lauren time to communicate to family members first. Please honor the family’s request and continue to pray diligently. Thank you for your patience. Your love and prayers for Matt and Lauren and for our church are encouraging.

Church family,

The Lord seems to be forming patience and a call to endure in us. This time of uncertainty beckons us to either trust in the Lord, His goodness and His timing or slip into paralyzing anxiety. Throughout the scriptures we read about Spirit-filled courage and a solid trust in the goodness of our God. David writes in Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Please know that as we pray for Matt in this season we are also praying that the Lord be near to you.

Matt will start in-patient rehab on Wednesday, which will include speech, occupational and physical therapy, and will extend his hospital stay between one to two weeks.

His recovery will take longer than originally anticipated, but everyone is encouraged by his daily progress.

The pathology report of Matt’s tumor is still not available from Dr. Barnett. We will continue to provide updates as information is made available; please be patient because updates may not be daily.

Thank you for your faithfulness in praying for him, Lauren and the kids. If you want to send the Chandlers a card, please send it to 2101 Justin Road, Flower Mound, TX 75028. Your prayers and written notes are encouraging to the family.

We taped this video of Matt a few days before his surgery and aired it this weekend at our worship services. We pray your heart is challenged and encouraged by it. Thank you for your continued prayers.

The following video can also be found on The Village Church YouTube Channel:

Matt was moved out of ICU on Sunday and continues to get plenty of rest as part of his recovery, per doctor’s orders. Please continue to pray for patience during this recovery time and to honor family-only visitation until further notice.

Pathology results of the tumor are due sometime mid-week, and we will keep you notified whenever possible.

If you attended a worship service at The Village this weekend, you saw a brief video with Matt that was taped prior to his surgery. Many were encouraged by it, and you can view it above.

The doctors have ordered Matt to get as much rest as possible in the next few days. For that reason and because his hospital room cannot accommodate many people, visitation is being limited to family members only until further notice.

Matt will have a CT scan done today as is routine after brain surgery, and he is expected to come out of ICU on Sunday. When praying, pray that the Lord give everyone patience as we navigate through the next few days of recovery.

We promise to update you whenever possible. Thank you for your testimony of prayers and for being the Church.

Matt Chandler recognized his surgeon and was responding well after a seven-hour surgery to remove a brain tumor. The operation started at 2:30 p.m. on Friday.

The tumor’s pathology report, originally thought to be available on Friday, is not expected until next week. Doctors were pleased with the surgery, especially after Matt responded to questions in recovery. He will remain in the hospital for a few days before being released. His wife, Lauren, is staying with him. Full recovery is expected to take several weeks.

On behalf of the church, we thank God for Dr. David Barnett, for his skill and thoroughness of the surgery.

Evidences of God’s grace abounded throughout the day, as people from all over the world prayed and fasted. A young woman came to faith through this situation, and time and time again, everyone responded with prayers and testimonies of God’s goodness and mercy.

We will continue to post updates as they become available. Thank you for your continued prayers. Praise God for His grace. Praise Him. Praise Him.

The start of Matt’s surgery was delayed until 2:30 p.m. CST on Friday. An earlier surgery took longer than expected thus moving Matt’s later in the day. We will communicate further information later tonight or Saturday morning. Please continue to pray without ceasing.