Servant Leader
Shela Rushing Matthews...Intercessory Prayer Warrior
Shela Rushing Matthews, born on May 18, 1950 in Durham, NC. She married Joseph Matthews on April 20, 1974. They have two beautiful children, a son, a daughter, 5 beautiful granddaughters and one handsome grandson. Shela met Leland & Rev. Diana in 1995 around the time she was faced with cancer again. She was set up for a double mastectomy; it was at a very low time in her life. She had been crying out to the Lord then she knew that the Lord had sent Rev. Payne to be a very special friend, confidant and prayer partner for life. After much prayer God gave her a whole new outlook on life. At this time Jesus became the most important person in her life. Jesus is her everything.
During one of the times of many prayers, we had asked the Lord for Joe salvation. While visiting, I had asked Leland to pray a special prayer for my husband. He immediately took our hands and prayed the sweetest prayer. Leland did not stop with just a prayer, but he pursued a relationship with Joseph and continued to pray for him on each visit. They have become special friends through the family of God. Joseph completely gave his life to the Lord and now is a special part of this ministry. His love for Jesus, people and his talents has blessed him in serving. I am blessed to have a husband being supportive in the call God has on our lives, it has not always been so.
It has been exciting to be with Anointed Vessels Ministry from the beginning. Thinking back when Rev. Diana shared her vision and mission the Lord had given her, the Lord allowed me to see and believe from the beginning, thats why I am still here. We have prayed, walked, and watched miracles right before our eyes. I was asked at the time to be on the board, the historian, and intercessor. I have truly enjoyed taking pictures from the first meeting on the land, and seeing this ministry blossom as God has provided people, materials, and money to build up the Kingdom of God. Many lives have been touched, and souls walked into the Kingdom of God and pulled from the hand of the evil one. I have seen a miracle in my husband Joe, how at one time, he was not supportive in my walk with God, to standing before congregations, sharing his heart, working on mission fields, home and abroad. Now you do not see me without Joe being by my side. He is even in the kitchen. God is so faithful and hears our prayers.
We had our own place here at Holden Beach, until Hurricane Charlie came through and destroyed our home. Joe & I live about 3 1/2 hours from Leland & Rev. Diana.
I must say it has been challenging to be at practices, workday, and special events. Somehow it all works out for we stay close through phone, e-mail, and lots of visits. The Paynes have opened up their hearts as well as their home, for we have our very own room, yea, when we come there, its home to us, we are more than family, we are friends. You will find me in the kitchen for I love to serve, or outside pulling weeds, or with a hammer in my hand. I am ready and willing to do whatever. Someone gave Rev. Payne a set of pots and pans for Christmas, she called me and said, guess what you got for Christmas for she knew Im the one who loves to cook in her kitchen. That was so funny.
In January 2008, as more people were added to Anointed Vessels Ministry, the Lord had Leland & Rev. Diana go into prayer and it was placed on their hearts people to be chosen to be Servant Leaders to help with the call the Lord has given them. They placed each one of us in positions of leadership in areas of our gifts and talents. From Durham, NC, we currently work with Operation Teaching Tools as Cornerstone Conference Coordinators We collect discarded resources, Bibles, Sunday School Materials, Christian Books and material, then take them to our warehouse in Falcon, NC. We are sent out to train, encourage, motivate and equip the established churches/missions on foreign soil in the ministry of Evangelism/Discipleship and in Christian Education, emphasizing spiritual leadership training. Its amazing for the Lord to use us as foreign missionaries as well as home missions, here in Ash, NC. My passion is to take the gospel of Jesus Christ in my own home, surrounding areas, including the world. For more information visit www.operationteachingtools.org
Being a part of Anointed Vessels Ministry has brought out so many gifts that God has given me and my husband opportunity to use, some we never knew we had. It has been wonderful to watch the cast grow in the Lord and see God sewing a beautiful tapestry of our lives. It is amazing, the special love of God and the incredible unity of working together as we practice, worship, pray, laugh, and cry at times with so many different denominations, it is definitely a God thing. Only God can do this. We could never make it happen within ourselves. As we are together, practicing, or ministering, it’s just like we are with Jesus in the flesh. We are excited at the great and mighty things God has in store for Anointed Vessels Ministry in coming into a new phase of Ministry. We are honored that you took the time to check us out. Please come out and experience the miracles on the land as we continually do. And why not join us? We would love for you to do just that!
The LORD bless you and keep you, The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you, The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.
Love and Prayers Shela & Joe Matthews
