Carolyn Matthews, “the Bread Woman,” is known for giving away hundreds of homemade loaves of bread each year. You could also call her “the caring woman” or “the woman who does whatever is needed.” She cares for her parents, coaches girls’ sports in early high school in Calhoun County, learns a digital system for displaying hymn verses, serves as a short-term vacation Bible school director—when the need arises, the Jacksonville woman is there. At 81, she teaches a girls’ Sunday school class and volunteers at the Jacksonville Christian Outreach Center. Mrs. Matthews is a retired teacher and college instructor and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Jacksonville State University.
Description of the Ministry: Teachers and helpers
Name of the church: West Side Baptist Church, Jacksonville, in the Calhoun Baptist Association
Life Verse: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
Describe what you focus on most in your pastoral care. Teaching the elderly ladies class and assisting members with needs that arise, such as picking up medication or groceries or assisting in an emergency; serving on the special events committee and the bereavement committee.
Q: Who was or is one of the most influential people in your faith life? Why?
A: Durro Wood. He was my pastor growing up and also our neighbor. Not only was he our pastor, but he worked with youth and children. He taught me to love the Bible and to study it and memorize passages that would help me throughout my life. I cherish my Bible.
Truman Norred, a long-time pastor, encouraged us to take study courses, and our current pastor, Brother David Haynes, also encourages us to memorize the Bible. If our Bibles were taken away from us, how much would we be able to remember what God says through His Word?
Q: What has God been teaching you lately?
A: People often ask me why I am still so active at 81 years old. My answer is that God is showing me that He still has work for me to do. God is still teaching me to have the courage to do and try new things. Sometimes I feel like I am not comfortable with it, but God has taught me to trust Him and He will give me what I need to accomplish the task.
Q: If you could tell your younger self one thing about faith, what would it be?
A: First of all, have faith. Faith is not something we read about. We either have it or we don’t. Do we believe that God hears our prayers, answers them, and truly cares for us? That’s what faith is—believing. Faith is believing that He will meet our needs, forgive our sins, heal our hearts, and love us. I have lost two husbands (both wonderful Christians), and God has been my source of strength during those difficult times. Faith is a daily walk—not just when we face a crisis—but we trust Him in all things. I wish I had learned to praise Him when I was younger. Be thankful for all He has done for me. I am so blessed to have a wonderful, loving family. I have a wonderful daughter and son-in-law (Nancy and David Shaw), two wonderful grandchildren (Trey and Justin Shaw), two great-grandchildren (Baker and Brewer Shaw), a loving sister (Jane Hay), and two wonderful brothers (Ray and Charles Casey). I am blessed with so many sweet, loving nieces and nephews. Not only do I have family, but I also have tons of friends that God has blessed me with.
Q: Have you ever read a book or heard a song that changed your attitude toward God and faith? What was it and what did you learn from it?
A: “Change my heart, oh God.” It’s a simple little chorus, but it means so much to me. God is our potter and we are his clay. He will mold us and make us more like him if we let him. Sometimes we want to tell him how we want to be molded, but it should be like the song, “May I be like you.”
Q: Are there any special traditions in your church that mean a lot to you? What are they?
A: I enjoy hanging the greenery at Christmas time. It helps us prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of Christ. Without His coming, there would be no Savior to redeem us and forgive our sins. Christmas and Easter are connected. The cradle and the cross are both important. We must have both.
