As someone who enjoys watching the human dynamic of relationship play itself out on television, a long time ago I fell in love with the concoction producers of the reality TV show Survivor put together. Almost every season, they blend personalities that form the potential for amazing moments of the human spirit along with sad and disappointing interactions. As a Christian, the only disappointment I felt was that the show producers never put a believer on the show who spoke about his or her faith in an authentic way, a way that wasn’t off-putting, arrogant or judgmental.

Until this season.

Matt Elrod from Survivor, Redemption Island

Matt Elrod, the pre-med student from Nashville, was exciting to watch walk out his faith in an authentic way. He wasn’t weird or cheesy or acting (unless he’s a really good one and fooled America). His faith came across as real—and it seemed like he wasn’t joking when he said it sustained him during his time on Survivor.

However, what impressed me about Matt was not only his ability to find strength in his relationship with God but also his influence on others in isolation. This season, the game dictated that people voted out of the tribe would be sent to Redemption Island, a place where they would battle other castaways for the right to get back in the game. In a strange but true twist, Matt was sent to Redemption Island twice!

Instead of playing a social game, Matt sat in relative isolation on Redemption Island for 29 days. Every couple of days, a new person would come along after getting voted out of the tribe. He would spend time with him or her and apparently discuss much deeper things than which person to vote off the island. Instead, Matt talked with people about the One who would never betray or back-stab them.

Despite surviving 10 straight duels before losing in the final one that would have put him back in the game with a chance to win, Matt won in a way that was far more priceless than a million dollars. He was obedient, responding to God’s leading to impact each person’s life he touched.
At the finale reunion show, Survivor host Jeff Probst asked him what his family and friends thought about watching him go through the excruciating pain of being on Redemption Island for so long.

“Everyone says their hearts were breaking for me but at the same time they were like, ‘Wow, the way you got to talk about your faith and talk about what God was doing for you was so incredible,’” Matt told the host. “The people who know me really well thought that was the best thing for me since I like to be alone so much.”

Throughout the course of the show, at least three other Survivor tribe members discussed Matt’s impact on them. For the brief time that Matt was in the game, he led a Bible study with others. Fellow tribe member Mike Chiesl, who happened to spend two weeks at Redemption Island with Matt, had this to say about his experience on the show:

“There’s a lot of soul searching that went on with me. Survivor transformed me as a human being, as a man, as an American. It helped me understand my purpose. I got closer to God. It was great to have talks with Matt.”

Another player, Julie, said she was going to re-engage with church and her faith as a result of her brief time on Redemption Island with Matt.

The biggest compliment to Matt and the way he lived his faith was the fact that show producers allowed that storyline to become such a significant component of the season. Probst got in a few digs here and there at Matt’s undying devotion, but in the end even he had to admit that he had the utmost respect for the way Matt held to his faith.

When I think about the role of MAF in the world and the calling that God has placed on this organization, it’s a lot like Matt’s experience on Survivor. It’s about a group of people called by God to take hope and faith to people in remote locations, people who aren’t distracted by the trappings of our western world. There’s something about being in those isolated areas. You see the world differently. Your heart is more pliable to hear the truth.

I’m grateful for all those who are willing to go and serve and be used by the Lord in this way. Winning isn’t always about beating someone; sometimes it’s about following and obeying One.