MATHEWS, Reginald R, Rev, Dr (1945-2020)
Assembly memorial minute, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing to higher duties of Reg Mathews. The following is Reg’s testimony, so Reg has written his own memorial minute for our records.
“I am eternally grateful to my parents who from an early age made known to me the Holy Scriptures which are able to make us wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Mum and dad faithfully prayed and read the Bible with me. They always made it clear to me that being reared in a Christian home, and being brought up in the training and admonition of the Lord, did not make me a Christian, but that I needed to come to a personal trust and faith in Jesus Christ in my heart.
I praise God that in 1959, God convicted me not only of my own sins but that I was sinner before him. By his grace I repented of my sin and by faith received Jesus Christ into my heart. I knew God saved me, and he gave me a spiritual love and hunger for more of him and more of his Word.
I enjoyed three most wonderful years at the Adelaide Bible Institute where the ministry of Geoffrey Bingham gave me such a spiritual investment and foundation for my whole life. It was at ABI the Lord led me to Elaine, a most loving and spiritually discerning wife, and the mother of our four children.
God guided me through theological training at Ormond College and then led us into a lifetime of Christian ministry: the Presbyterian Church in Port Pirie, then to ministry in France, then Eltham/Kangaroo Ground Presbyterian churches, Brighton, and then, as the PCV Home Mission Officer throughout Victoria and many parts of Australia. In later years, we returned to Adelaide to serve Christ in churches at Norwood, Para Hills
and finally Elizabeth.
I remember choosing, as my first message, the words of Micaiah in 2 Chronicles 18, As the Lord lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak. Also, the words of Job in Job 23:12 ever motivated me that I havetreasured the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
For all the experiences of this life I am truly grateful, but as our closing song expresses it, one day we’ll see him face to face and to be with him will crown it all.”
Gender
- Male