Our Pastoral Staff
Matt Giesman
Senior Pastor
Matt was born in 1981 and spent over 20 years living in the Deep South being raised by Midwesterners. In college, Matt studied Journalism at the University of Alabama, worked for the campus radio station, served as the Sports Editor of The Crimson White student newspaper, and served at several Christian camps.
Matt earned his Master of Divinity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. Later, Matt served as Assistant Pastor of Youth and Families at Fort Worth Presbyterian from 2009-2011. He also served for five years as Assistant Pastor at Providence Presbyterian in Clinton, MS, before moving to Colorado Springs to serve as Senior Pastor of Forestgate on October 1, 2015.
Matt's wife is a registered nurse who serves as the elementary school nurse at the same charter school that their children attend. They have a daughter, a son, and a Welsh Terrier. Matt loves skiing and watching sports. Matt defended his dissertation (on leadership and teamwork among ruling elders) for his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological Seminary on April Fool’s Day, 2020.
Contact Matt: matthew.giesman@forestgate.org
Josh Harstine
Assistant Pastor of Youth & Families
Josh was born and raised in the midwest. He studied at Grove City College and then Reformed Theological Seminary (DC) where he earned an MA in Biblical Studies. Josh served as an Intern at NewCity Church and taught high school Bible and Theology for seven years. Josh met his wife Courtney at Trinity Christian School where they both taught.
Josh and Courtney moved to Colorado about a year after they were married where Josh's pursuit of pastoral ministry continued in the Rocky Mountain Presbytery. Josh has a deep desire to see the next generation of Christ's Church raised up in faith and a confident hope in the promises of God which led him to Forestgate in the Spring of 2023. Josh and Courtney have two wonderful daughters
Contact Josh: josh.harstine@forestgate.org
Our Elders
“Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
Acts 20:28
Bartel de Leeuw
Josh Drake
Bruce Harrington
Daniel Klute
Chris Odell
Stephen Sprague
Chuck Young
Our Deacons
Bruce Beyerly
Dick Barthels
Peter Chon
Alex Funke
Daniel Glaser
Bob Welch
Kelly Jones
Mike Patterson
Derek Smith
Bill Denham
Worship Staff
Grace La Force
AV Tech Lead
grace.laforce@forestgate.org