Our History
In 1976 a survey was conducted to determine the transportation services available for missionaries. There was little available at that time on a local basis and nothing on a national basis. When an African doctor communicated the need for this service to Chuck Schroth in 1977, Chuck founded Missionary Auto and Truck Service, Inc. to supply transportation solutions for domestic and international ministries.
The Missionary Auto and Truck Service eventually came to be known as MATS International, Inc. and has grown from these beginnings to now being able to offer national as well as international services to meet the ever changing needs of ministries across the world.
Our Vision
We feel strongly that we have only scratched the surface of possibility in the assistance we can offer Ministries around the world. We believe there are thousands of people yet to benefit from the transportation savings we can facilitate.
Josh Nottingham accepted the position of President of MATS in January of 2006 with the goal of growing the ministry significantly. MATS' three largest goals are to:
- Grow into countries not yet served by MATS to assist the ministries in those countries.
- Develop stronger connections with denominations and mission boards across the U.S. to see how we can best serve their missionaries and pastors.
- Seek opportunities to provide vehicles to humanitarian organizations in developing countries.
Our Staff
Mike Nottingham – Chairman
Bev and Mike Nottingham
Mike has been around the automobile business for his entire life. Growing up as the son of a Ford dealer in western Michigan and owning three auto dealerships in Richmond, IN over a 36 year period has given him the level of expertise necessary to guide MATS effectively. In June of 2007, Mike made the decision, along with his family, to finish his career in the traditional automobile business in order to take on an increased role in the services that MATS provides to ministries and their staff. From the overall picture of MATS’ Vision to the small, day-to-day details of how we function, Mike is an invaluable resource to our organization’s efforts.
Mike and his wife Bev reside in Richmond, IN where Mike oversees MATS’ main office and Bev teaches a women’s Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class. They are grateful to be a part of their local church (First Baptist, Richmond) as well as serve on the board of several other community organizations (Young Life, Boys and Girls Club). Other than Mike’s hobby of rebuilding older vehicles and Bev’s love for her golden retrievers, they enjoy traveling to Indianapolis, IN and Saint Louis, MO to visit their three sons, three daughters-in-law and six grandchildren.
Josh, Emma, Marisa, Lincoln, and Reese
Josh Nottingham – President
Josh brings to MATS a unique background that pairs experience in both ministry and business:
- Ministry: Josh worked with the mission of Young Life in both West Lafayette and Richmond, IN for a total of 6 years. He also received his Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in the spring of 2007.
- Business: Josh also holds an MBA from Purdue University and has years of experience working in a family-owned automobile business.
These two aspects of his background enable him to assist you and your ministry with your vehicle needs, because he knows first-hand how limited resources are in ministry.
Josh resides in Indianapolis with his wife (and high school sweetheart) Marisa, daughter Emma (born 9/2002), son Reese (born 11/2005) and son Lincoln (born 4/21/2008). After Christ, his family, and the Church both universal and local (Redeemer Presbyterian Church), his greatest passions are baseball, music, and movies.
Mark Nottingham – Development
Mark and Sarah
Mark came on board with MATS in June, 2007 after working with Young Life for 8 years in State College, PA and Lafayette, IN. Working with MATS allows Mark to combine his experience in ministry and seminary environments with his business education background and passion for economics. Mark holds a BS in Management from Penn State University and a Master of Arts in Christian Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL.
Mark currently resides in Indianapolis, IN with his wife Sarah, who also has experience in full time ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ in La Plata, Argentina. Sarah is currently pursuing a nurse midwife degree at IUPUI in Indianapolis. Among other things, Mark and Sarah share a passion for Christ, the Church and ministries that care for people spiritually and physically.
Jeff Nottingham – Domestic Development
Jeff, Autumn, Asher, Winter and Violet
After working full-time in the car business for 10 years in Richmond, IN, Jeff and his family have just begun the Master of Divinity program at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He and his wife Autumn have three children: Asher (born 09/2001), Winter Noel (born 12/2003), and Violet (born 01/2007). With a desire to enter full-time ministry after earning his degree from Covenant, and with an acute awareness of the difficulties involved in buying an automobile, Jeff brings a heart to help you and/or your ministry to make a wise purchase... with no pressure... from an honest source.
Tom Daugherty – International Sales
Tom & Mara Jan Daugherty
Tom brings to MATS 30+ years of vehicle experience, 19 of which have been directly involved with MATS, providing vehicles for ministries.
Tom is a lifetime resident of the Richmond, IN area, and makes his home there with wife Mara Jan. They have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren also in the area. Involved in a 45+ year relationship with Christ, music and discipling at his church, Tom also enjoys family, photography, and golf.
Karen Chaney – Administrator
Tim, Karen and Sara
Karen has worked in the automobile business for 28 years in many different capacities. She respects the commitment MATS has to serve others and wants to contribute to MATS heart and mission. In the automotive business, there is always a new corner to turn and she is ready to take that challenge!
Karen resides in Richmond with her husband Tim and daughter Sara and handles all of the paperwork and logistics issues with MATS.
Please contact Karen (see the contact page) for any questions on paperwork or logistics!
Jon Mires – Western Region Assistant
Whitney, Jon, and Elijah
Jon began serving with MATS in 2004 when he and his wife, Whitney, moved to Denver, CO. Being located in Denver allows Jon to provide personal assistance to many of the ministries and individuals that we serve in the Western United States, particularly in the Rocky Mountain Area. Jon also works for his alma mater, Hastings College (Nebraska), recruiting students in the Colorado region.
Previous to settling in Colorado Jon spent three years in Richmond, Indiana. Jon and Whitney and their son Elijah live in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. In addition to spending time with his family Jon enjoys golf, bike riding, and the outdoors.
Andrew Spon - Midwest Region Assistant
Andrew and Shannon
Andrew came onto full-time staff at MATS in September of 2009 after having worked in a variety of fields over the past seven years, including three years experience with a car dealership's sales team. As the son and grandson of life-long Baptist pastors, Andrew understands that Christian ministries and their staff must make great use of resources when purchasing a vehicle. He is grateful for the opportunity to work in an environment like MATS that allows him to apply his experience in the car business to serve Christian ministries and their staff. Andrew and his wife Shannon (married February 2010) live in Richmond, IN.
Lance Fowler - Vehicle Services
Lance and family
Lance joined MATS in September, 2009 after over ten years in the automobile service business. He is excited to use the skills he gained from this experience to serve those in Christian ministry. Lance lives in Richmond, IN with his wife, Lori and their children, Ada (born 8/2004) and Owen (born 5/2007.) Lori serves as Mission Staff for Young Life in Richmond and Lance has served along side her for ten years as a volunteer Young Life leader. With ten years experience in the car business and ministry, the Fowlers are a great addition to the team at MATS.
Stephanie VanWinkle - Accounting