Bishop Vincent E. Mathews, Jr.

Bishop Vincent Mathews is saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost. He stated, "While I have many essential positional roles, it is my highest honor to be a child of our risen King and, therefore, a brother to the saints of God."

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). Mathews is the author of six books. While he has won numerous awards, he declares that his primary goal in life is to hear God say, "Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant."

He is happily married to his wife, Sharon Denise Mathews, and God has blessed them with 11 children (eight boys and three girls). Mathews was born and raised in Inkster, Michigan. He was baptized as a young boy by Bishop P.A. Brooks (First Assistant Presiding Bishop). Mathews Graduated from St. Martin DePorres High School in Detroit. After university studies and marriage, Mathews served faithfully with his father at the All Nations COGIC in many capacities. He was ordained by the late Bishop C.L. Anderson, Jr. (a former General Board Member).

Mathews was bi-vocational, maintaining a vibrant career as he transitioned from teaching to educational consulting. He later was named the director of the Detroit Lions Academy, an alternative middle school that was a partnership with the Detroit Lions, Communities In Schools, and Detroit Public Schools. However, God had a higher assignment.

In 2004, Vincent, Sharon, and their children moved to South Africa to serve as full-time missionaries in 2004. They served enthusiastically in many capacities under Bishop Carlis Moody, Sr., the president of World Missions at that time. Mathews was the senior pastor of the fast-growing church, Tabernacle Church Of God In Christ, in Ivory Park, Johannesburg, South Africa. The Tabernacle Church Of God In Christ, grew from six members to over 2,350 active adult disciples. Tabernacle Church had 32 functioning ministries, including a Christian school, Tabernacle Christian Academy, which educates children from nursery to high school. 

Mathews was consecrated Prelate of the South Africa First Jurisdiction In 2013, under his leadership, the South Africa First Jurisdiction focuses on Kingdom empowerment through Apostolic teaching and training, church planting, church growth, and outreach in the notorious and dangerous townships and rural areas of South Africa.

In 2015, Mathews was appointed by Chief Apostle, Presiding Bishop Charles Blake and the general board as the president of the Church Of God In Christ World Missions. He has the responsibility to oversee the growth of the work of God in 112 countries worldwide.

By the leading of the Lord Jesus Christ, Mathews has led the Church Planting Team to establish the Tabernacle Church Of God In Christ in Southaven, Mississippi. The focus is to raise and release disciples of Christ to advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in this region, the United States, and the entire world.