[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8460]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MELVIN MATTHEWS

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable public servant, Reverend Melvin Matthews.
  Reverend Melvin Matthews was formally installed on May 22, 2016 at 
Bell Grove Missionary Baptist Church, making him the first new pastor 
since 1951 when his uncle, Reverend David Matthews, accepted the 
leadership role.
  The elder David Matthews, a well-known spiritual and civic leader in 
Indianola, served the historic church for 65 years prior to his death 
on April 15, 2015, at 95.
  The younger Matthews said, ``I pray that God will use me to continue 
the great legacy of excellence started by Pastor Matthews 65 years 
ago.''
  Matthews grew up in Indianola and in Bell Grove Church, graduated 
from Gentry High School and Mississippi Valley State University before 
enlisting and becoming a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. After retiring 
from the service, he settled in Warner Robbins, GA, where he served as 
assistant pastor of the New Jerusalem Baptist Church, and youth 
minister, associate minister, education minister and economic 
development minister at the Fellowship Bible Baptist Church.
  Since his return to Indianola in 2009, Mr. Matthews has served as 
assistant to the pastor, David Matthews, teaching the church's Thursday 
night Bible study.
  Matthews has received his Bachelor of Theology degree and is 
scheduled to graduate from Abundant Blessings Theological Seminary on 
June 11 with his master's degree in theology.
  Matthews's church, Bell Grove was organized as a ``brush arbor'' in 
1868 in a location described as: ``Just across the railroad, on the 
corner, facing Indian Bayou across the street from the site of the old 
Mississippi Power and Light office.'' Down through the years, the 
church has experienced numerous strides and setbacks, including: being 
burned down twice, three other locations prior to the present spot on 
B.B. King Road, and the drowning of its first pastor on record, Rev. 
James Wright who was made pastor in 1878.
  Since then, several moves included: comprising location on donated 
land ``on the hill'' on Adair Street and from there to its location on 
Chandler Street, where the church experienced major improvements under 
the leadership of Rev. E.G. Mason and elder Matthews.
  Reverend David Matthews led the congregation from the corner of 
Hannah and Chandler to their present location on B.B. King Road in 
March 2006, where he continued to lead and inspire until his death. The 
younger Matthews stated, ``With God's help, Bell Grove will be a Bible 
believing, Bible teaching and Bible preaching church with a great 
commitment to the `Great Commandment and Great Commission,' knowing 
that God will use this to build a `Great Church.'''
  During the 13-month interim since Rev. David Matthews' passing, the 
Rev. E.T. Goodman of Greenwood, a retired former pastor of Mt. Beulah 
Baptist Church in Indianola, conducted the morning worship services and 
Bible study.
  Reverend Melvin Matthews is the son of Missouri Gray Matthews and the 
late Rev. John Matthews and is married to the former Cynthia Williams 
Matthews of Goulds, FL.
  He often reminds people never say what you won't do because God has a 
way of changing your plans. He always said there were three things he 
would never do: preach, teach and return to Mississippi. God fixed it 
so he had to do all three.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Reverend 
Melvin Matthews for his dedication to serving others and giving back to 
the African American community.

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