Three Generations of Matthewses

In the Winter 1998 Message magazine, we identified four families who had served with ABWE over three generations. South America has another three-generation missionary family that did not appear on the cover of that issue.

Carleton and Mary Adelaide Matthews were appointed in 1944 to northeastern Brazil. They founded the Berean Baptist Seminary and Institute in Natal, where they were both widely known and respected. Carl served as the seminary's first president, and he and his wife both taught in the school. Carl was given honorary citizenship by Natal's mayor before his death from a heart attack in 1966. Mary Adelaide continued on, teaching at the institute and translating hymns into Portuguese, until she retired in 1975.

Richard and Joyce Matthews were appointed to Brazil in 1961. Dick served as president in the seminary in Natal, as did his father before him. The Matthewses still minister in northeastern Brazil today, strengthening national believers and planting new churches.

Dick and Joyce's daughter Carol and her husband Stephen Scruggs were appointed to Brazil in 1995. The Scruggs family is currently on pre-field ministry, raising support to return as career missionaries to the country where Carol grew up.

We thank God for those who laid the foundation for the work of ABWE, and pay tribute to those who continue to be faithful to our Lord's great commission.