Russian mission trip leads couple to Salvation Army
After serving as the hands and feet of Christ as missionaries in Russia, the Rev. Dan Matthews and his wife, Mary, knew they wanted to be part of "hands-on ministry" when they returned to the U.S.
The Matthewses said their two-year stint as Russian missionaries essentially led them to pursue a ministry career in The Salvation Army.
Now known as Salvation Army Majs. Dan and Mary Matthews, the Richmond, Virginia, pair have found their way to the Oklahoma City metro area since making that life-changing decision many years ago.
The Matthewses are the new leaders of The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command. They succeed Majs. Carlyle and Charlotte Gargis, who previously helmed the Oklahoma City branch of the faith-based organization. The Gargises, Ada natives, were appointed to lead The Salvation Army men's recovery program in Jacksonville, Florida.
Dan Matthews, 53, said he and his wife were part of a nondenominational church and a Baptist church in their hometown when they traveled to Russia.
During their time there from 1992 to 1994, the husband-and-wife team pioneered a Christian church and led several evangelistic efforts not far from Moscow.
He said his uncle was a retired colonel in the faithbased Salvation Army so the two decided to visit The Salvation Army Southern Territory headquarters in Atlanta.
Mary Matthews said they initially thought the organization "was a little odd" because of all the people in uniforms, but eventually they began to understand the organization's premise as an "army" for Christ.
"We began to think about it and once we got to know it, we were intrigued by it and seeing a church with it's sleeves rolled up," she said.
Dan Matthews agreed, after saying they joined
the organization in 1998.
"I've always kind of considered The Salvation Army as the workhorse of social service with the faith-based element," he said.
The couple said they have served The Salvation Army in numerous places, including Alabama and Arkansas.
They said their last assignment was in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where they served for
two years.
They have three grown sons — one is a Marine veteran, one currently serves in the Army and one who is attending college.
Heart for the gospel
The Matthewses arrived in Oklahoma City in June, and they said they have been impressed with the relatively new Salvation Army Center of Hope facility, which includes their offices.
They also have been impressed with the leadership of the Oklahoma
City metro-area community.
Dan Matthews said they were considered "corp preachers" in their first Salvation Army assignment years ago, and that included some regular time spent preaching.
He said in their current position, they are considered more as administrators, but their hearts are full of God's word and motivated by it to help others.
"Of course, we're motivated by the gospel. That's why we're here," he said.
His wife shared similar comments.
Mary Matthews said The Salvation Army focuses on the people that society often overlooks but it also offers comfort and respite to others in need.
"Any person in the human condition struggles in life. It's not just for the homeless person the streets," she said.
She said the Central Oklahoma Area Command has begun preparations for its Christmas ministry efforts, including the Red Kettle Campaign.
She said it's worthy of note that the campaign doesn't just fund Christmas ministry efforts but also The Salvation Army's year-round aid.