Pastor Paul G. Matthews is the Senior Pastor/Teacher of First
Baptist Church - Lumberton, NC (504 W. 2nd Street). He is led by
the Holy Spirit, encouraging growth in both the Word and Baptist
doctrine. Pastor Matthews has been a minister of the gospel for 25
years and exemplifies leadership both in church and in the
community.

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Pastor Matthews was born as the youngest of 5 children to the late
George and Elizabeth Matthews. He believes in preaching and
teaching the Word of God and more importantly, that we must
“live” the Word of God. Pastor Matthews holds true to Romans
8:28 - “And we know that all things work together for good to
them that love God, to them who are the called according to his
purpose”.

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Pastor Matthews grew up in First Baptist Church under the
leadership of the late Dr. E. B. Turner. He answered the call to
preach in 1995 while residing in Winston-Salem, NC. When he
returned to Lumberton, NC in 2002, he rejoined First Baptist
Church and was ordained April 22, 2007, through the Lumber
River Baptist Association. Before becoming pastor, Matthews had
served and led a number of ministries including, Sunday School,
Christian Education, Security, Youth, Drama, Audio/Video, Prison, 
and Music.

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Pastor Matthews is a learned man. He attended Winston-Salem
State University, majoring in Accounting. He recently received a
Master of Divinity degree from North Carolina Theological
Seminary. He is currently working on his doctorate of divinity.

Pastor Matthews is a member of the Lumberton Ministerial
Alliance and serves actively in the community. Along with serving
at First Baptist Church, he does weekly bible study at
Southeastern Behavior Health and assists with the weekly bible
study at Mohr Plaza with the Lumberton Ministerial Alliance He
has served on the Lumberton Planning Board. He currently
serves on the City of Lumberton Housing Authority board as well
as a gang prevention group, Colors of Life. He works as the station
manager at the local radio station, WAGR 1340 AM, covering
local and national news.

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Pastor Matthews is married to the former Carla Evonne McNeil for
15 years. They are the honored parents of two daughters, Tamira
Breeden and Kyra Matthews.