FQKYVA-Bustamante,Ma
Collegiate/University Missionary
Reno Nevada
Pathfinder Church
February 17
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About My Family
Matt grew up in Chico, Calif., and Ellie moved to Chico from Riverside. They were involved with Christian Challenge as student leaders during their time at Chico State. Matt graduated with a degree in statistics, and Ellie graduated with a degree in English.
They married in February 19, 2021, in Chico and have been serving on full-time staff with Challenge since 2020. They enjoy playing games with friends, outdoor activities like rock climbing and backpacking, and activities like piano (Matt) and baking (Ellie). In February, they had a baby girl, Lainey!
They are excited to move to Reno in June 2025 to start a new college ministry at University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), where they will plant their lives for many years as they seek to build roots into the community and serve at Pathfinder Church, the church Ellie’s father started in 2024.
They married in February 19, 2021, in Chico and have been serving on full-time staff with Challenge since 2020. They enjoy playing games with friends, outdoor activities like rock climbing and backpacking, and activities like piano (Matt) and baking (Ellie). In February, they had a baby girl, Lainey!
They are excited to move to Reno in June 2025 to start a new college ministry at University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), where they will plant their lives for many years as they seek to build roots into the community and serve at Pathfinder Church, the church Ellie’s father started in 2024.
About My Ministry
Christian Challenge changed their lives when they first got connected. It’s a college ministry at Chico State that helps students have a relationship with Jesus, find an authentic community, and take next steps in faith.
Christian Challenge emphasizes personal relationships, which is what makes the ministry so effective. Challenge puts a strong emphasis on one-on-one discipleship, where every student who comes to Challenge is encouraged to connect with a staff member or student leader within Challenge.
Because of the impact of the ministry in their lives and in what they’ve seen at Chico State in hundreds of others, it became clear that more campuses need this type of ministry. This is why Matt and Ellie prayerfully looked at other campuses and decided to move to Reno, Nev., to start Challenge at UNR, a school much in need!
Christian Challenge emphasizes personal relationships, which is what makes the ministry so effective. Challenge puts a strong emphasis on one-on-one discipleship, where every student who comes to Challenge is encouraged to connect with a staff member or student leader within Challenge.
Because of the impact of the ministry in their lives and in what they’ve seen at Chico State in hundreds of others, it became clear that more campuses need this type of ministry. This is why Matt and Ellie prayerfully looked at other campuses and decided to move to Reno, Nev., to start Challenge at UNR, a school much in need!
