Matthesens’ Story

Larry and Jean’s salvation (February 8, 2015) & baptism (March 15, 2015)…

“God indeed works in mysterious ways!  Although we were both retired school teachers, and recently, ‘re-retired’ as the former owners of the Golden Circle Tours, we both knew that we were definitely lacking something. We were not living fulfilled lives, even with all the blessings we had been given.  Then into our lives came a little girl, Samantha, who lived in a trailer court, across the highway from our home.  Last December, she brought us a Christmas card with an invitation to attend her church’s Christmas program.  Her older brother echoed the invitation.  She was so very excited about the program and her role as a choir member, that we could not refuse.

The program was so uplifting, real, and even funny!  The cast members were wonderful and enjoying the message they were delivering.  A few days later, the pastor and his wife visited us at our home and invited us to come to church.  When the pastor returned after his visit to Israel, we attended church at the Mountainview Baptist Church.  What a wonderful, warm welcome we received from all in attendance.  After the church service, we visited with Pastor Matt Furse. He explained the gospel of Jesus Christ, and our need to be saved from the penalty of our sins. After hearing the gospel, we both confessed our need for Christ’s atonement, and trusted in Him as our personal Savior!  [Romans 10:9-10, 13] “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Soon after, we became friends with fellow members of the church, Bob and the late Karen Adams, who were also instrumental in helping us to understand the Bible more clearly—for which we will be eternally thankful!

We regularly began attending the church services.  Never did we feel “preached to” or talked down to.  Our questions were answered with all honesty.  All comments and references were made from the King James Version of the Bible.  On March 15^th, we both were baptized. Our baptism service hopefully made a lasting impression on the church membership, as they have had on us! We still have a long way to go to become better servants of our Lord, but we are on our way, thanks to Jesus Christ our Saviour, and so many from the Mountainview Baptist Church of Custer.”  ~ Larry & Jean Matthesen

Samantha’s father’s own baptism, a few years earlier…

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(Update -February 2020)

Now, five years later, we are enjoying and appreciating our salvation even more!  We look forward to attending church— the fellowship with our church family, watching the children grow and continue to show their love for the Lord.  It has been such a joy to have been born again— “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:2)

We pray for and urge our unsaved friends and relatives to seek the Lord our Savior.  You will never regret your life with Him.  “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  (John 3:3)

At Mountainview Baptist Church, we learned of salvation in Jesus Christ, and will forever be grateful!

~ Larry & Jean Matthesen

(Custer Newspaper Question of the Week – “What are you Thankful for?”)