Who Is James C. Mathews?

James C. Mathews is a servant of God.  He was raised in an extended family consisting of his mother, Dorothy Lee Mathews; his aunt, Ella Mae Parker; his grandfather, Will Parker; his grandmother, Ella Parker; and his sister, Shirley F. Smith. Everyone in his extended family has gone home to be with God with the exception of his sister Shirley.

James accepted Christ as his personal Savior when he was six years of age.  His pastor, George L. Shepherd at the New Zion Baptist Church in Bryans Mill, Texas , baptized him. From age six until his completion of high school, he served as the assistant superintendent of the Sunday School, under the direction of Deacon Allen Ruffins (All of these people are deceased).  The only other jobs that he did in the church were singing in the choir and serving as a delegate to the Unity District Sunday School and Baptist Training Union Congress. 

James graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Omaha-Naples, Texas in May 1966.  Carver was the Black school in the Paul Pewitt Independent School District during this time.  He graduated valedictorian of his high school class.  He continued his education at Texas College in Tyler , Texas where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in English and a minor in mathematics.  He graduated from Texas College in 1971.  He also holds a Masters Degree in Adult Education from Texas State University-San Marcos.

During his younger years in life, the two professions that James said he never wanted to pursue during his lifetime were preaching and education.  In 1971, he went to work at Lone Star Steel Company for 9 years, and later at Dorchester Refining Company for 5 years.  The once highly productive petroleum business in the U.S. lost out to foreign oil in the mid-80s and Dorchester Refining Company was sold to another company that shut the Refinery down.  For almost two years, James did odd jobs, such as substitute teaching, driving the school bus, and working construction.  These jobs did not have benefits, which he needed for his family.

It was during the time after Dorchester had shut down that James really had time to become active again in his church and community.  He had not been truly active in the church or in the community since he graduated from high school.  During this time, James was ordained as a Deacon at the Shady Grove Baptist Church in Cason , Texas .  He served as Church Clerk and teacher for the men’s Sunday School class.  While attending a meeting in Baton Rouge , Louisiana with his pastor, Rev. U. Forte, he has a vision about establishing a brotherhood organization among all the Baptist churches in the Northeast Texas area.  This was a successful endeavor that is still going strong today.

Many things have happened in James’ life that are good and many things that are not so good.  James believes that Roman 8:28 is true “And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”  Considering all of James’ experiences in life, he is truly one who loves God with all his heart, mind, and soul.   

James accepted the call by God to the ministry in 1995.  He preached his first sermon at the Jones Hill Church of God in Christ in Marietta , Texas for a family homecoming celebration.  However, his official first sermon was at the Olivet Baptist Church in Austin , Texas under the dynamic leadership of Pastor Kennedy Young, Sr. 

Preaching and Teaching are natural gifts to James from God.  He is one who studies his Bible everyday, and he is prepared to deliver a message from God every time he stands to preach or teach.  He is a strong speaker, who does not compromise what the Word says in any situation.  He is fair and loving, but a strong believer in doing everything God’s way.

James is a public speaker by choice, but a preacher and teacher by “CALL.”  James’ prayer is that God will give each of his listeners and readers the discernment to know the difference between James speaking, and God speaking through him.

James is truly a servant of God.  He prefers to be call “servant” because he believes that the title of Reverend belongs to God.  Psalm 111:9 says, “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.”

He has been the pastor of two churches (Mt. Arie Baptist Church in Weimar , Texas , and Live Oak Baptist Church in New Braunfels , Texas) where he has learned a lot about people and the dynamics of church life.  He also has served as the Minister of Christian Education at the Olivet Baptist Church in Austin , Texas. 

The roads James has taken have not always been easy, but he always asked God to guide his footsteps as he traveled this journey that leads from earth to Glory. 

Currently, James is employed as the Learning Lab Coordinator for the Student Learning Assistance at Texas State University — San Marcos, in San Marcos,  Texas.  He is on the faculty for the Council of Opportunity in Education (COE) in  Washington, D.C..

Finally, he owes so much to his caring and loving wife, who has stuck with him through many difficult times.  She is a strong woman who truly loves God.  He thanks God every day for joining them together.

When it’s all said and done, James simply wants to be called a servant.