Dr. Sam and Kathy Matthews 

Dr. Sam Matthews is the founder and senior elder of the Family of Faith Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and is also leader of a local apostolic team.  He serves International Christian Leadership Connections (ICLC) as a leader in the nine-member apostolic company formed to see the orchestration of a worldwide penetration of the Gospel.  This international network is rapidly growing with over 4,500 churches in 70 nations.

The local church was established in 1983 with the Holy Spirit's instruction to raise up a church that would be a standard of the New Testament pattern of church government with functioning elders and the five-fold ministry gifts of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher.  A Christian school was established in 1985 to provide a place of training and preparation for the equipping of young people to take the ministry of Jesus to the end of the earth. 

Numerous churches and ministries in the United States, Europe, Latin and South America, Caribbean, Asia, India, Bangladesh, and Africa have entered into a working relationship with the apostolic company.  As a result of this team and fellowship of churches, a college was established in 1992 to specifically train laborers for planting churches and teaching in Christian schools by offering Bachelor of Arts degrees in Church Ministry and Christian Education.  There is a deep emphasis on intercession and the life of the Spirit as the foundation on which all training must be based.

Churches, Christian schools, and Bible Colleges are being planted around the world, and the apostolic company and teams that have been formed are giving continual oversight.  Existing churches and schools have also sought oversight from these teams.

Sam is much in demand in the churches where direct oversight is being given and is increasingly being invited to speak on intercession, spiritual warfare, and functioning five-fold apostolic teams in many other groups of churches.  The above areas of emphasis are always cradled in his ever increasing desire to see the nations reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ and discipled for our Lord.

Qualifications would include the accreditation process with ICAA beginning in 1994, the Candidate Status with the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges in 2002, and being president of the Family of Faith College since 1992.

Sam graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1971 (B.A.), and graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1974 with the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and in 1992 with the Doctor of Ministry Degree (D.Min.).

Sam's wife, Kathy, is an integral part of the Family of Faith Ministry.  She is a true helpmate to Sam in all aspects of their personal lives and their ministry lives.  She is a woman of glory.  Kathy graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1971.  

Kathy was the administrator of Family of Faith Christian School since its beginning.  Chris Belyeu joined the school team as assistant administrator in 1998.  He graduated from Oral Roberts University with a Masters Degree in May, 2004.  Upon the completion of his graduate studies, Chris stepped in as the administrator of Family of Faith Christian School and Kathy stepped in as the ministry's Director of Christian Education.  Thus, Sam, Kathy, and Chris work as team to see the training of laborers through the school.   Kathy also leads a women's group (Women of Glory) which meets weekly under the leading the Holy Spirit.  The Women of Glory team also conduct conferences and seminars around the United States.  They recently held a conference in Florida and Oklahoma with the presence and glory of God coming down in each place.

Sam and Kathy have two sons, Daniel and Nathan.  Daniel is the praise team leader at the church and plays the drums.  He is basketball coach for the school, and Director of Spiritual Life and ROC for the college.  Daniel is married to Yasha and they have a son, Kalen, and twin daughters, Ashlyn and Lani, born October 30, 2006.   Yasha works with Daniel leading praise and worship as a singer.  Their son, Kalen is now 5-years-old.  The three grandchildren hold the hearts of their grandparents!

Nathan is their youngest son and is an important part of the ministry.  He has a deep burden and daily lives in the intercessions for the nations, especially for the Islamic nations.  He is a huge OSU Cowboy fan and wears as much orange as he can get on his body!  He also keeps everything running on a practical basis at the facility.  He loves to travel to the nations with his father.  He also loves to travel to Alaska.

Biographical information for Dr. Sam Matthews

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Dr. Sam Matthews is the founder and senior elder of the Family of Faith Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  This church was established in 1983 with the instruction of the Holy Spirit to raise up a church according to the pattern of the New Testament government with functioning elders and the five-fold ministry gifts of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher.  Dr. Matthews serves International Christian Leadership Connections (ICLC) as a member of the Apostolic Company and is the founder and president of Family of Faith College.  He is greatly used by God in intercession, spiritual warfare, and the raising up and functioning of five-fold apostolic teams.  Dr. Matthews travels extensively, ministering with international teams in more than 4,000 churches located in more than 70 nations.

 **Special note:  Please make all checks for offerings/donations/ contributions/reimbursements to FAMILY OF FAITH.  Thanks!**