Meet Our Team

Matt Nightingale is a pastor, spiritual director, musician, and writer who serves a diverse community of people exploring faith, identity, and belonging. At The Quest, he brings a thoughtful and attentive approach to ministry—creating space for honest questions, deep listening, and spiritual growth. Matt is especially known for his work supporting LGBTQ+ people within faith communities, while remaining committed to the care and flourishing of all who seek a spiritual home.

Matt approaches ministry with humility and curiosity, trusting that God is already present and at work in people’s lives. Rather than offering easy answers, he creates space for reflection, discernment, and shared wisdom, believing that spiritual growth happens through attention, relationship, and truth-telling.

Alongside his pastoral work, Matt is the founder and Executive Director of Common Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization offering spiritual direction, contemplative groups, retreats, and support for queer adults, including those navigating mixed-orientation marriage. Since 2019, he has accompanied hundreds of LGBTQ+ individuals through seasons of transition, healing, and integration, and he is widely recognized for his advocacy and public witness at the intersection of faith and sexuality.

Matt is a sought-after speaker, writer, and spiritual companion whose work has reached audiences through podcasts, teaching events, and a widely viewed TEDx talk on mixed-orientation marriage and hope. Whether preaching, listening, or walking alongside others in spiritual direction, Matt is committed to fostering belonging, integrity, and a faith that makes room for the whole self.

Matt lives in Novato with his husband, Alejandro, and is the parent of four adult children.

Tony Gapastione is a pastor, filmmaker, and community builder who believes deeply in the power of story to heal, challenge, and connect people. At The Quest, Tony brings a creative, justice-oriented approach to faith—inviting honest questions, diverse perspectives, and thoughtful dialogue at the intersection of spirituality, culture, and everyday life.

Tony welcomes questions and curiosity in his speaking, openly acknowledging that he does not have all the answers. He believes that wisdom is formed in community, not hierarchy, and that standing behind a pulpit does not make him more important than anyone else in the room—only responsible for helping create space where people can seek truth together.

Alongside his pastoral work, Tony is a writer, film director, and producer, and the founder and Executive Director of BraveMaker, a Bay Area–based nonprofit arts organization and production company. Since founding BraveMaker in 2018, he has helped build a year-round creative community through filmmaking classes, mentorship programs, podcasts, mixers, and the annual BraveMaker Film Festival—creating brave spaces for artists to tell meaningful stories that reflect humanity, justice, and hope.

Tony’s feature films include Last Chance Charlene and 33 Days, a true-story  San Francisco drama rooted in activism and compassion. Whether preaching, teaching, or making films, Tony is passionate about nurturing creativity, fostering belonging, and helping people discover how their stories—like God’s story—can bring light to the world.

He lives in the Bay Area with his wife, their three daughters, and his Labradoodle, Cubby.

David was born at Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato and grew up moving back and forth between the US and the Philippines. David studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of the Philippines, Computer Science at Sacramento State University and Graphic Design at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. David is able to wear many hats, leading and lending support wherever and whenever it is needed. He first started out by playing bass with The Quest worship team in 2005, then became part-time worship leader in 2008. From 2014 to 2018 he added administrative director to his Quest duties. In 2018, David took on the role of facilities director, and in 2020 added audio-visual director to his roles. David is an IT technician with the Novato Unified School District. He and his wife Christine live in Novato. They have three grown children and two grandchildren.