Pastor Transition - Love Offering
Donation protected
We are keeping this fundraiser a secret until the campaign is finished, so please do not tell them.
Paul Mathenia is a pastor, preacher, teacher, author, and great man of God. But to us, he is first and foremost our father. Stephanie, our mom, has served alongside him as well in over 40 years of gospel ministry. When dad accepted the call to preach in 1972, he became an ordained minister and, as was the common practice of the time for ministers, he stopped paying into social security. But he never stopped investing in his family and the Lord's church. And even though he can't collect social security, I hope he can receive a return on his investment into the people he served over several decades across the country and around the world.
In October of 2015, dad suffered a massive heart attack while alone on a speaking tour in Colorado. Doctors performed a quintuple bypass and his life was spared. We were told afterward that only four in one million survive a heart attack of that degree. Since then he has continued to eat healthy, exercise, and stay on the right track. But his heart just hasn't improved like doctors hoped it would. He recently had to have a pacemaker and defibrillator installed in his chest.
God has been faithful in preserving his life and helping continue a fairly normal lifestyle. But things got more complicated six months ago. He had to resign from his full time position as an executive pastor in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He received a severance package, but it expires this month. Part of the reason they moved to Mountain Home originally is to take care of our 92 year old grandmother who lives with them (she's pretty awesome too, btw) but this is now our mom's full-time job. She can't leave the house and find work. And Mountain Home is not close to family so we can't help with providing care like we would want.
So what is the current situation? Dad is actively seeking full time employement, and completes a training to be an Intentional Interum Pastor later this month. But it is difficult to find a full-time ministry position in your late 60's. Mom is taking care of grandma full-time. They are listing their home for sale and currently have no place lined up to go next. It is a lonely, scary time of transition for them and one that leaves them in a very tough place financially.
Mom and dad have been a blessing to so many people over the years and have served God nonstop. We thought there may be some out there that would want to be a blessing to them during this time of transition. So we have set up this fundraiser to act essentially as a modern day "love offering." We can't pass the plate at every church they've served, but we can share this privately. And whether you are able to give financially or not, we do ask that you please pray for them during this time. We trust God will provide.
Thank you for taking the time to read their story and consider giving.
Grace and peace,
Shawn, Wendy, Adrian, and Angeline Mathenia
Paul Mathenia is a pastor, preacher, teacher, author, and great man of God. But to us, he is first and foremost our father. Stephanie, our mom, has served alongside him as well in over 40 years of gospel ministry. When dad accepted the call to preach in 1972, he became an ordained minister and, as was the common practice of the time for ministers, he stopped paying into social security. But he never stopped investing in his family and the Lord's church. And even though he can't collect social security, I hope he can receive a return on his investment into the people he served over several decades across the country and around the world.
In October of 2015, dad suffered a massive heart attack while alone on a speaking tour in Colorado. Doctors performed a quintuple bypass and his life was spared. We were told afterward that only four in one million survive a heart attack of that degree. Since then he has continued to eat healthy, exercise, and stay on the right track. But his heart just hasn't improved like doctors hoped it would. He recently had to have a pacemaker and defibrillator installed in his chest.
God has been faithful in preserving his life and helping continue a fairly normal lifestyle. But things got more complicated six months ago. He had to resign from his full time position as an executive pastor in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He received a severance package, but it expires this month. Part of the reason they moved to Mountain Home originally is to take care of our 92 year old grandmother who lives with them (she's pretty awesome too, btw) but this is now our mom's full-time job. She can't leave the house and find work. And Mountain Home is not close to family so we can't help with providing care like we would want.
So what is the current situation? Dad is actively seeking full time employement, and completes a training to be an Intentional Interum Pastor later this month. But it is difficult to find a full-time ministry position in your late 60's. Mom is taking care of grandma full-time. They are listing their home for sale and currently have no place lined up to go next. It is a lonely, scary time of transition for them and one that leaves them in a very tough place financially.
Mom and dad have been a blessing to so many people over the years and have served God nonstop. We thought there may be some out there that would want to be a blessing to them during this time of transition. So we have set up this fundraiser to act essentially as a modern day "love offering." We can't pass the plate at every church they've served, but we can share this privately. And whether you are able to give financially or not, we do ask that you please pray for them during this time. We trust God will provide.
Thank you for taking the time to read their story and consider giving.
Grace and peace,
Shawn, Wendy, Adrian, and Angeline Mathenia
Organizer
Adrian Mathenia
Organizer
Mount Washington, KY