Paul Matthews

Rev. Paul E. Matthews was born on September 1, 1931, to Nora Virginia Collom Matthews and James "Jim" Washington Matthews. Rev. Jim was an evangelist in the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ (ALJC). Paul Matthews, at the age of 16, joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. At the age of 22, Paul returned from Anchorage, Alaska, and met Jewel Jeannett Clark on March 5. Jewel and Paul were married on April 21, 1954.

In February 1955, Bro. Matthews received the Holy Ghost in Biloxi, Mississippi, under the ministry of Rev. T.C. Smith. On March 4, Vickie Nell Matthews was born. Then on April 20, Jewel received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Bro. Matthews became the youth leader for Bro. Smith, and Jewel was the church musician.

On March 11, 1956, Charles Edward Matthews, their first son, was born. Shortly afterward, the family transferred back to San Antonio, where Bro. Matthews served in Bro. Lawrence King's church as a musician and Sunday School teacher. Bro. Matthews began a bus ministry by shuttling military personnel on buses from the Air Force base to the church. Another daughter, Sandra Kaye, was born on February 10, 1960.

In 1962, Bro. Matthews began a tour in Greenland, where he began ministering to the military personnel. To comply with military regulations to minister in the military chapel in Greenland, Buford Miller, Mississippi District Superintendent, UPCI, issued a local ministerial license to Rev. Paul Matthews by mail. Bro. Matthews returned from his Greenland duty in 1963. He renovated a home to have church meetings in while a new sanctuary was being built. Bro. Matthews then built a new sanctuary himself.

On October 17, 1967, Bro. & Sis. Matthews welcomed another son, Timothy Paul Matthews. During the 1970s and 1980s, Bro. Matthews pastored in Magee, Mississippi, and founded a church in Pearl, Mississippi. He retired from pastoring in 1990 and once again began evangelizing. For a short time in 1995, Bro. Matthews pastored in Erwinville, Louisiana. In 1998-1999, Bro. & Sis.Matthews attended First Pentecostal Church in Raymond, Mississippi, pastored by Rev. David Dillon.

Rev. Paul E. Matthews dedicated his life to serving his faith, his family, and his country. From his early years in the Air Force to his decades spent evangelizing, pastoring, and establishing new ministries, his commitment to the Gospel was unwavering. He cultivated a life rich in spiritual service, leaving behind a profound legacy marked by his tireless work, the churches he founded, and the countless lives he touched. Though called home by the Lord, the impact of his ministry and the faithfulness of his journey continue to resonate through the hearts of his beloved family and the many congregants he shepherded throughout his life.