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About
Breach. Reach. Preach. Teach
Breach (Spiritual Warfare) To contend for the faith and advance the kingdom of heaven “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” - Matthew 11:12Facilitate a culture of Intercession/Prayer to foster an atmosphere that is conducive for healing, deliverance, and breakthrough to take place. Exercise our God-given authority to bind all powers and works of darkness and the networks of wickedness. (Matt 18:18) Provide an agency of divine healing and complete deliverance for those infirmed and bound. Expose and interrupt the agendas the forces of evil.
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Preach (Evangelism) To spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” – 2 Tim. 4:2 To make a presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ that is unadulterated and without compromise . Actively go to the highway and hedges and take the word of God to the lost till ALL have heard. Mobilize "the called" with the training necessary to carry the Gospel to places it has never been.
Reach (Mission/Outreach) To serve the church, communities, and countries abroad with various philanthropic initiatives and programs. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.” - 1 Peter 4:10 ESV • Institute programs to support those who are battling addictions, homelessness, unemployment, and chronic illnesses. • Deploy Prayer Bands to comfort the bereaved, uplift the incarcerated, care for those in rest homes, and give peace to those in hospice care. • Partner with the various Food and Clothing banks within area to service our community’s less fortunate. • Establish mentorship programs for our at-risk and troubled youth. Also, develop tutorial programs for those who are struggling to maintain favorable grades in public school as well as undergraduate and graduate programs.
Teach (Christian Education/Discipleship) To educate the believer in the fallible truths of God “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom…” – Col 3:16 Develop a School of Ministry supplementary to the weekly worship services. To cultivate an aggregate of believers that are fully astute on the value and importance of ministry gift. Host weekly bible studies/classes that promote biblical literacy and scholarship.
Bishop Joshua Matthews was born in Fayetteville, North
Carolina, where he was raised by his mother.
In 2005, Bishop graduated from Terry Sanford High School and then
attended the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. While attending
college, he sang with the Voices of Serenity Gospel Choir and later served
as the Choir Director. During his college tenure, God began expanding his
musical gifts, and by his junior year (2009), he accepted God’s call to
ministerial service. After answering the call, Bishop paused his educational
studies to focus on serving in the ministry.
At age 14, Bishop received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost while
attending an anniversary service for Bishop Levi Henry in Hartsville, South
Carolina. Shortly after, he followed the Lord’s leading and joined the
Apostles Aaron and Juanita Troy. Under their tutelage, he was further
cultivated and developed as a preacher, prophet, and man of God. One of
his spiritual mentors assigned him with the task of preaching. His initial
sermon was entitled “I Was Blind, But Look at Me Now.” As a minister,
Bishop took delight in serving the body of Christ and his local assembly in
several capacities that include: Usher, member of the Youth Choir,
Musician, Choir Director, and Minister of Music to name a few. Beyond his
many titles, he most cherishes the role of servant.
On September 28, 2013, Bishop was appointed, examined, and ordained to
the office of Elder at the Evangelical House of God, [location here]. There,
he served God’s people in this capacity with the utmost humility and grace
for nearly eight years.
On April 14, 2021, then-Elder Matthews was dually consecrated and
ordained to the office of Bishop in the Lord’s Most Holy Church. Bishop is
no stranger to the ministry and service. He has not forgotten the firm
spiritual foundation he received at Saint Matthew's Temple Church of
Christ, Fayetteville, North Carolina. He is a third-generation preacher who
stands on the shoulders of his beloved mother, the late Evangelist Mary
Matthews and esteemed maternal grandmother, the late Pastor Mary B.
Matthews.
Not only is Bishop Matthews, a prolific preacher and prophet, but he also
began his professional career with the United States Department of
Veteran Affairs in 2016. He is also a gifted songwriter who pinned the song
“Where Would I Be,” which was recorded in ___ by Ian Siler and the Siler
Project. The single is currently available on all digital outlets.
Recently, Bishop entered a new realm of ministry where God has inspired
focus, intentionality, and completion in all areas. He has resumed his
studies at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he will
graduate in Spring 2024 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business
Information Systems. Grace and favor have also afforded him opportunity
to complete his first book. His first book, Damaged Goods, is forthcoming
and scheduled for release very soon. Bishop Matthews is the epitome of
the phrase, GOD DID IT!
In 2013, the Lord spoke to Bishop about birthing his current ministry, Grace
Empowered Covenant Church (GECC). The ministry’s name is based on 2
Timothy 2:1: “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in
Christ Jesus.” The ministry began holding virtual bible study in October
2022, and the inaugural service was held June 4, 2023. Since GECC’s
inception, many lives are being impacted by the presence and power of the
Almighty God. It has become a safe space for all to come without judgment
to experience Christ in a spirit of liberty.