Timothy Russell Matchett: April 19, 1995-October 24, 1999

Timothy was born to Russell and Lorraine Matchett in Camden, New Jersey, the oldest of four children. He attended Haddon Heights Baptist Church in Haddon Heights, New Jersey, where he accepted Christ as his personal Savior at the age of seven after a Sunday school lesson.

Tim grew up wanting to serve the Lord. While in high school, he dedicated his life for the Lord's service, expecting to become a pastor in the United States. However, after Tim began attending Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summitt, Pennsylvania, he became involved in student missions, and attended INFORMISSIONS '74. By 1975 Tim was fully convinced God wanted him to be a missionary in Africa.

Following his graduation from Baptist Bible College with a B.R.E. degree, Tim served as interim pastor at First Baptist Church in Skaneateles, New York. He was then called as assistant pastor at First Baptist Church of East Syracuse, New York, where he served as the church's Sunday school teacher, visitation director, and youth leader.

Tim married Helen Renfer, a fellow student, in 1978. They attended ABWE's candidate classes the following year, and were appointed to the West African country of Togo in 1979.

Tim and Helen lived in Togo's city capital of Lomé, where Tim taught in the Pastoral Training Institute, encouraged national churches that were on approaching indigenization, and carried out a key ministry to both Togolese and missionaries alike. Tim was picking up his family at the American Recreation Center when two African men accosted and fatally shot him, stole Tim's vehicle, then fled the scene of the crime.

Tim is survived by his wife, Helen; their elementary school age children: Rebecca, Joshua, and Daniel; his parents, Russell and Lorraine Matchett; his brothers and sisters, Paul, Steve, and Donna Matchett.