The Storyteller

True Guest Stories from Three Stories Inn

By Marie Mantanona-Milton

At Three Stories Inn, our walls hold the spirit of storytelling. We believe every stay has

a story. Through nominations, selected Guests are gifted a weekend in one of the novel

apartments at the inn. The Foreword, The Prologue, and The Epilogue. This month,

we have selected Matthew Cocchi as our featured story.

The Foreword

In every town, there are people who quietly brighten the streets, not with neon lights or big stages, but

with steady faith, a guitar in hand, and a heart that loves deeply. At just 26, Matthew (“Matt”) Cocchi

has already become one of those people. He says music first became more than sound when he gave his

life to Jesus, transforming each note into an offering of gratitude. Shaped by the example of his father

and nurtured within his church family, Matt has grown not only as a musician but as a man rooted in grace, eager to encourage others on the journey. “My only response was to sing to God in thankfulness

and praise,” he explains, recalling Ephesians 5:19: “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and

spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

The Prologue

Life for Matt is full—balancing worship services, songwriting, and everyday responsibilities. Yet, he has

found rhythm in the quiet: stepping away to be still, to recharge with God, much like Christ did when

He withdrew to pray. “It’s in the secret place that I find strength,” he says, quoting Psalm 91:1: “He who

dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” For him,

faith and art are inseparable. His identity in Christ is not a side note but the driving force behind every

chord. In every lyric and performance, he hopes to guide others toward light, never seeking applause

for himself, but directing it back to the One he serves.

The Epilogue

When listeners hear Matt play, his hope is simple yet profound: that they encounter God’s presence in a

way that draws them closer to Him. Looking ahead, his deepest desire is to leave a legacy not of fame,

but of faith—a life that shines Christ’s truth in both music and community. And to the younger version

of himself, or anyone just beginning their journey, he would say: “Before anything, make sure your

identity is rooted and grounded in the One who purchased you with His own blood. Everything else is

simply what you’ve been given to accomplish His will.” In honoring his heart and gift, our town also

celebrates what makes it beautiful: people like Matt, who give of themselves with joy, weaving music,

faith, and love into the story of this place we call home.

"Loving Our Town" October 4, 2025