About The Bearded Theologians

Rev. Zach Bechtold

I come from a long line of Beard Enthusiasts. My father, who can grow full a beard in about a minute, passed along his love for facial hair to me. Along with my love for beards, I enjoy Colorado Rockies Baseball and being outdoors all year round. In my spare time, I enjoy playing the guitar and singing with my wife, Mikel.

On this journey I call life, my wife Mikel and our 3 kids, join me. We enjoy traveling, eating, baseball, and adventures. As a family, our adventures and call to ministry have called us to a place we never thought we would go much less live. Texas, New Mexico, Montana, and now Wyoming where I serve as the Pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and as the Congregational Resource Minister for the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Rev.Matt Franks

I have a few goals in life.

To have a beautiful beard.
To throw out the first pitch at a Stl. Cardinals Game.
To master something…oh wait I Mastered Divinity.

I have many other goals but these three are a part of who I am. I currently serve as Senior Pastor at Castle Rock First United Methodist Church I was appointed there July 2022 and have loved every appointment and job that I have had as I live out my calling as an Elder in the United Methodist Church in the Oklahoma Conference.

I grew up in Miami, Oklahoma graduated from Miami High School in 2001. I then went to work on my Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Oklahoma City University which I completed in May 2005. After that, I mastered Divinity by getting a Masters of Divinity from Phillips Theological Seminary in December 2009. I have an awesome wife Ashley and 2 kids.