From "bicycles to semi-tractors", MATS has been providing for the transportation needs of ministries for nearly 30 years.

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

Josh Nottingham – President, Indianapolis

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), and son Reese (born 11/2005). After Christ, his family, and the Church both universal and local (Redeemer Presbyterian Church), his greatest passions are baseball, music, and movies.

Mark Nottingham – Domestic Sales, Chicago

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 (BS in Management from Penn State University) and passion for economics.

Mark resides in Deerfield, IL where he is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Christian Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Being located in the greater Chicago area allows him to provide personal communication and service to many of our domestic customers.

Jeff Nottingham – Domestic Sales, St. Louis

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.

Jon Mires – Rocky Mountain Sales, Denver

Jon Mires is the Director of the Rocky Mountain Office of MATS. In an attempt to continue the ministry transportation support around the globe Jon is concentrating his efforts in Rocky Mountain Region. Jon and his wife Whitney moved to Denver in 2004 when Jon began working 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.

Tom Daughterty – International Sales

Tom brings to MATS 30+ years of vehicle experience, 19 of which have been directly involved with MATS, providing vehicles for ministries. Tom has served as Director of MATS for 9 years.

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

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!