== Early Life and Education ==
Vincent E. Mathews, Jr. (born February 18, 1969) was born and raised in Inkster, Michigan, the son of Administrative Assistant Vincent Mathews, Sr., and Evangelist Cheryl Mathews. He attended Inkster Christian Academy and St. Martin DePorres High School, where he excelled in track and football, earning All-State honors. Mathews later attended Wayne State University, playing collegiate football as a defensive back. Mathews graduated from Wayne State University (B.A.), University Of Illinois (M.A.), and North Carolina College Of Theology (Doctor of Theology). He was a Fulbright Fellow while studying African Language (Swahili) at The University Of Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania). He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve as an Operating Room Technician attached to the 323rd General Hospital Unit in Michigan.
== Personal Life ==
Mathews married his the love of his life, his wife, Sharon, originally from Crowder, Mississippi, in 1994. They have 11 children together.
== Ministry in the United States ==
Mathews was born again and filled with the Holy Spirit while at All Nations Church in Port Huron, Michigan. Mathews' ministerial career began when he was ordained an elder in 1999 by Bishop C.L. Anderson in the Great Lakes Jurisdiction of COGIC. In April 2020, he founded and currently serves as the senior pastor of Tabernacle Church in Southaven, Mississippi (a suburb of Memphis, TN). In 2023, Mathews also founded the Washington-Tabernacle Christian Academy (kindergarten – Grade 10). Tabernacle has over 30 active ministries and is impacting the Mid-South Region in great ways. From February 2015 to November 2024, Mathews served as the President of COGIC World Missions, overseeing missionary efforts in over 112 countries and planting more than 15 churches worldwide. He helped lead a team that raised over $260 Million in cash and in-kind donations to support churches, orphanages, schools, disaster relief and outreach ministry in the USA and around the world. The Tabernacle Southaven Choir recorded a live concert album entitled, The Glory Encounter. That has blessed thousands to enter the presence of the Lord.
== Ministry in South Africa ==
In 2004, The Mathews family relocated to South Africa, where Vincent and Sharon pastored Tabernacle Church in Ivory Park/Tembisa. The church grew from 6 members to over 2,500 disciples of Christ. During his 12 years living full-time in Midrand, South Africa, he established Tabernacle Christian Academy in 2006, significantly contributing to K-12 education of the youth and outreach. In 2013, Mathews was consecrated as the Bishop of the South Africa First Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), overseeing more than 70 churches across five provinces. He is currently involved in a community development project in collaboration with South African Zulu King, Misuzulu kaZwelithini, focusing on urban development , reducing the effects of infant poverty and reducing domestic violence.
== Writing and Media ==
Mathews has authored several books, including "Freedom Journey" (2000), "Growing Through Knowing the Truth" (2005), "Zero to Hero"(2007), "Prayers That Shake the World" (2008), "Real Leaders in Dark Times: Royal Lessons of Leadership" (2018), and a children's book, "Bad Day Good God" (2024). He regularly appears on media platforms such as TCT Network, Bott Radio Network, and KJIW Radio. Mathews has delivered keynote addresses at various events, including the COGIC Holy Convocation, Family Research Council’s Pray Vote Stand Conference, March for Life, various revivals, Keynote Conferences and commencement ceremonies for high schools, colleges, and
universities.
===Awards and Recognition===
While Bishop Vincent Mathews has won many awards and recognition. He states that his
primary goal is to hear God say “Well Done My Good And Faithful Servant”.
