Matthew and Me

In Matthew and Me filmmaker Victor Vroegindeweij explores what he, as an atheist, can learn from his friend, the ambitious evangelist Matthew van der Steen. This is the first time that Van der Steen allows the media into his church and personal life.

Matthew van der Steen (37) is a rising star. He is the charismatic minister of the rapidly growing church ‘House of Heroes’ in Harderwijk, the Netherlands, and CEO of TRIN (Touch Reach and Impact The Nations). This organization holds prayer healings in Pakistan, India and Myanmar which attract thousands of people. Van der Steen is convinced that God still walks the earth and can cure people from cancer, restore sight to the blind and resurrect the dead through the Holy Spirit. 

Not everyone is enthusiastic about Matthew and the way he practises his faith. Christian organizations and the media criticise his claims. He maintains that gold flowed from his Bible, that he witnessed people in Mozambique raised from the dead and that blind children in Myanmar had their eyesight restored.

Filmmaker Victor Vroegindeweij is a struggling atheist dealing with an anxiety disorder. He wonders whether this disorder was caused by a lack of religion in his life and whether he can find strength in Matthew’s God. He accompanies Matthew to prayer healings and has a number of meaning full conversations with him.

Matthew and Me is a gripping and very personal search into the meaning of life. In addition, the film offers a revealing and unique view into the life of a controversial evangelist and his organization.

Filmmaker Victor Vroegindeweij made the award-winning youth documentary Chanaika and the documentaries Gaandeweg and Te Gek Moment. His 13-part documentary series Halte won two Dutch awards.

director Victor Vroegindeweij producer Monique Busman, Michiel van Erp

De Familie Film & TV in coproduction with NCRV en support of the Mediafonds.