13 MARCH 2018 BODY OF CHRIST NEWS Denver Welcomes Pastor Antonio Matthews Irecently sat down with Pastor Antonio Matthews, one of Colorado’s new- est residents and pastors. After much meaningful dialogue, it was clear that four words described him; Passionate, Purposeful, Powerful and Committed. Preaching since the age of 5, it was evident that ministry would be his life’s journey and his life’s passion. “Pastor Matthews is passionate about the people he serves, his preach- ing, and his purpose. The past two years, I have interviewed numerous people for our Executive Pastor posi- tion at Heritage, but Pastor Antonio stood out above all of the others. And not because of his size, I mean, he’s built like an NFL linebacker, but because he’s anointed for the task of leading God’s people into their higher dimension of purpose”, says Bishop Dennis Leonard. Pastor Matthews has ministered extensively across the globe in over 22 countries and has performed other ministerial duties throughout every major city in the United States. Pastor Matthews has been afforded the opportunity to be featured in several Christian Magazines and on several television platforms including Impact Network and The Word Network. He credits much of his innovative ideas, his ‘out of the box’ approach to ministry, and his passion for outreach to his exposure to global ministry. He often says, "Exposure expands your mind and gives it the elasticity it needs to engage in unparalleled thought.” Pastor Matthews, everybody is ask- ing the same question, ‘Why Denver’? “When I was a boy, my mother would watch this white preacher on the Word network. I mean, she wouldn’t miss his program for anything. She made all of us sit down, be quiet and watch together. She’d “shush” us if we made a sound. I was a student; I studied Pastor Dennis Leonard, I watched, I was mesmerized by how he could take these crazy illustrations and put the word to it and make it just for me. He always had a word for us, and he affected my life. I said to my Mom, ‘I’m going to meet this guy, Dennis Leonard, some day’.” “About 4 months ago, I got a call from Dr. Jamal Bryant, a close friend and mentor of mine. He said, ‘Antonio, I’ve got this pastor in Denver, that you need to meet, his name is Bishop Dennis Leonard’, I couldn’t believe it. That day, without reservation or hesitation, I booked a plane ticket from Washington to Denver, because I knew I had to sit in front of this man of God that I had been a student of for years.” “I pulled into the parking lot of Heritage’s new campus. I stopped, staring at the building, thinking, ‘most pastors can barely do this once, espe- cially in today’s state of the world, but this guy keeps going and going and going, like the ever-ready bunny? Then when I sat through the worship experience, it felt like home. When I got back to D.C., I told my Mom and my daughter, ‘I’m moving to Denver to be with Bishop Leonard’. I was speak- ing by faith, because Bishop Leonard and I hadn’t come to that conclusion together, but I heard what God was telling me and I started making plans to relocate because I had to be obedi- ent.” Pastor Matthews, tell us about you and your family? “Randy, I have one daughter, Victoria. She’s a full-time student in D.C., but now she also has a place to call home in Denver during her breaks. She is an amazing young woman full of dreams, ambition and drive. I guess she takes after me?” “I’m a single man of only 41 years, but I’m an old soul at heart. When I’m not in the pulpit, I love to write, I’m an avid reader, I cook, I’m a gospel singer, fitness is a big part of my life as well, I love to be outdoors and active.” You’ve only been a Colorado resi- dent for about 4 weeks, and you’re already making an impact, tell us about what you’re doing at Heritage? “I recently launched the 2018 Men’s Ministry called ‘The Huddle’, a time of Brotherhood Bonding, Strategic Relational Building, Destiny Bridging, and Bondage Breaking. At The Huddle we’ll encounter other men with various backgrounds but with a common goal; which is fulfilling their purpose in life. The Huddle is a place of Transparency, Authenticity, and Confidentiality.” “I’m excited to be teaming up with Pastor Michele Leonard, a phenomenal preacher in her own right, I mean, this white girl can PREEECH. The first time I heard her, I looked over at Bishop Leonard and I was speech- less. She’s so quiet, but you give her a microphone and some word, and she’ll preach you down until daylight, I’m not playing. Pastor Michele and I are teaming up with what we’re calling ‘The Sisters’ Circle’, because we recog- nize that Our Sisters are the backbone of our men and ministry. It’s not unusual to see that what our Sisters do, often goes unnoticed, unrecognized, and under celebrated. Okay Randy, I’m going to preach right here, because this is so dear to my soul. In Creation, God created Women to be the Help Meet of the man; which means that a man who has a Godly woman, will always be success- ful. Because a man with a vision, will need a Sister to help the fruition of that vision. A man with a plan is not afraid of a woman with power, because her power will enhance his plan, and vision. He will not be intimidated by her strength, afraid of her creativity, and oppressive to her growth. A real man will value a Godly woman. Pastor Michele and I are co-hosting our first Sister’s Circle event on Saturday, March 17th at 1:00 PM at Heritage Christian Center, and I can’t wait. I have great word for the women and it’s open to all of the women in the city.” When I asked Bishop Leonard why he chose Pastor Antonio Matthews to sit at the Executive Pastor helm at Heritage, he said, “Pastor Antonio is anointed. He is God sent. He was cho- sen specifically to reach the unreach- able and the unchurched. He has a heart for the lost just like I do. Pastor Matthews’ formal ministerial training and education is extensive, however, he credits much of his knowledge, wisdom, and ministerial success to his mentors and fathers in the faith for whom have poured into him through- out his lifetime. His mentors have not just deposited ministerial counsel but life-changing wisdom for everyday life.” Pastor Matthews now serves as the Executive Pastor of Heritage Christian Center in Aurora, Colorado under the dynamic leadership of Bishop Dennis Leonard. Serving has always been his honor, loyalty his trademark; however, gratitude is his life’s essence because in the words of Pastor Matthews, “If you are grateful for everything…you will complain about NO-thing.” MARCH FREE EVENT CALENDAR Wellness Fair MARCH 10th — Saturday, 16th Annual Health Fair Participation. The Center for African American Health's Annual Collaborative Health and Wellness Fair attracts over 1,000 individuals and families each year to increase access to critical health information, FREE health screenings activities for the whole Family! Location: Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel 3801 Quebec Street. 8:30am - 3:00pm. Founders Day Celebration MARCH 17th — Saturday, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Denver Alumnae Chapter Proudly Presents;" A Positive Outlook in Time of Change", A Founders Day Celebration, Guest Speaker Tishaura Jones, Treasurer, City of St. Louis, MO. 10.00am Location: Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel 3801 Quebec Street. Individual $65.00, Table of ten $600 www.denverdeltas.org/foundersday Community Health Forum MARCH 17th — Saturday Colorado Black Health Collaborative, " Hot Topics, Community Health Forum" 1:00 - 5:00pm. at Hyatt Regency Aurora - Denver Conference Center 13200 East 14th Place, Aurora, CO 80011 Experience lively ' Speed-dating style' discussions about the challenges and solutions to some of the hottest issues facing the Black / African-American community in Denver. Facilitator,Cathy Phelps,Guest Presenters; Dwayne Meeks, Hassan A. Latif, Randy Craven, and Health Insurance Representative's from Connect for Health Colorado. Pastor Antonio Mathews INTERVIEW By Randy McCowan