Carolyn Matthews, “the bread lady,” is known for giving away hundreds of home-baked loaves each year. She could also be called “the caring lady” and “the whatever-is-needed lady.” Caring for her parents, coaching in the infancy of high school girls sports in Calhoun County, learning a digital system for displaying hymn stanzas, serving as Vacation Bible School director on short notice — when a need has arisen, the Jacksonville woman has made herself available. At 81, she teaches a ladies Sunday School class and volunteers at Jacksonville Christian Outreach Center. A retired teacher and college instructor, Mrs. Matthews holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Jacksonville State University.
Ministry description: Teacher and helper
Church name: West Side Baptist Church, Jacksonville, in Calhoun Baptist Association
Life verse: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Ps. 51:10)
Describe where you focus your greatest ministry efforts. Teaching the older ladies class and assisting members with needs that arise, such as picking up medicine or groceries or staying with them in an emergency; serving on the special events committee and bereavement committee.
Q: Who was or is one of the most influential people in your faith life? Why?
A: Durro Wood. He was my pastor growing up and also our neighbor. Not only was he our pastor, but he worked with the youth and children. He taught me to love the Bible and how to study it and memorize passages that would help me all through my life. I cherish my Bible.
Truman Norred, a pastor of many years, encouraged involvement in study courses, and our current pastor, Brother David Haynes, also encourages us to memorize Scripture. If our Bible was taken from us, how much could we remember what God says through His Word?
Q: What has God been teaching you lately?
A: People often ask why I am still so active at the age of 81. My answer is that God is showing me that He still has work for me to do. God is still teaching me to have the courage to do and try new things. Sometimes, I feel that it is out of my comfort zone, but God has taught me to trust Him, and He will give me what I need to do the task.
Q: If there were one thing you could tell your younger self about faith, what would it be?
A: First of all, to have faith. Faith is not something we read about. We have it or we don’t. Do we believe God hears our prayers, answers them and really cares about us? That is faith — believing. Faith is believing He will supply our needs, forgive our sins, heal our hearts and love us. I have lost two husbands (both wonderful Christian men), and God has been my source of strength through those trying times. Faith is a daily walk — not just when we face a crisis — but we trust Him in all things. I wish that, as a younger person, I would have learned how to praise Him. Be thankful for all He has done for me. I am so blessed to have a wonderful, loving family. I have a wonderful daughter and son-in-law (Nancy and David Shaw), two precious grandsons (Trey and Justin Shaw), two great-grandsons (Baker and Brewer Shaw), one loving sister (Jane Hay) and two wonderful brothers (Ray and Charles Casey). I am blessed with so many sweet, loving nieces and nephews. Not only do I have family, but I have a host of friends that God has blessed me with.
Q: Have you ever read a book or heard a song that changed the way you think about God and faith? What was it and what did you learn from it?
A: “Change My Heart, O God.” This is a simple, little chorus, but it means so much to me. God is our Potter and we are His clay. He will mold and make us more like Him if we let Him. Sometimes, we want to tell Him how we want to be molded, but it should be like the song says: “May I be like You.”
Q: Does your church have any special traditions that mean a lot to you? What are they?
A: I enjoy the hanging of the green at Christmastime. It helps prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of Christ. Without His coming, there would be no redeemer to redeem us and forgive our sins. Christmas and Easter are connected. The cradle and the cross are both important. We must have both.
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