The Pastor Nominating Committee is thrilled to introduce Rev. Dr. Rachel Matthews and Rev. Matt Matthews. The Matthews come to us from the First Presbyterian Church in Champaign, Illinois. They have been married for over thirty years, and are the proud parents of three adult sons. Combined they bring over sixty years of experience working in PCUSA churches across Arkansas, Virginia, South Carolina, and Illinois. Their energy and enthusiasm for ministry is palpable, and their positivity and joy are infectious.
Field Russell described them best when interviewed as a reference: "Matt and Rachel would be a blessing to any church, and help make that church stronger. Calling them both to fill one position would be a win/win for them and for you. Both are delightful people, and there are few ministers I could more highly recommend. If you feel they are a good match for WPC, you would be extremely fortunate to succeed in calling them."
A Word From Our Pastors:
Dear Friends,
We are grateful to say “Yes” to your call to us to serve as your Co-Pastors. Thank you. Thanks be to God. We write to say, “Hello!” We are eager to meet you and your family. We are eager to hear your story. We are eager to break bread with you. We are eager to arrive and shake your hands. Ciao. Bonjour. Hola. Mbote. We want to say in every language – in Italian, French, Spanish, Lingala – Hello, Hello, Hello.
We write to say, “We can’t wait.” We can’t wait to live and work among you. We can’t wait to sing with you. We can’t wait to fingerpaint with your children. We can’t wait for potlucks and pow-wows and Christmas parades. We have been crossing days off our calendars for weeks waiting for this new chapter in our mutual lives. Today, we are one big step closer. We can’t wait.
We write to say, “Alleluia! Thanks be to God.” We thank God for calling us together. We thank God for guiding our mutual steps. We thank God that we get to join with you in the vital work you are doing to bear God’s love to an aching world. We thank God for both your PNC and your church staff whom we have met and for whom we have been praying. We thank God for all the friends in ministry (that’s you!) we have yet to meet.
The spark God lit in early conversations with your PNC has become an ample fire shedding light on a road God has called us to share. We trust God in Christ to guide our steps by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are eager to walk with you into a new spring, even into a new heaven and a new earth.
Blessings and peace upon you all,
Rachel and Matt Matthews
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