THE JOURNEY TO PENTECOST
A REAL LIFE STORY OF A MOTHER'S SEARCH FOR GOD THROUGH THE EYES OF HER DAUGHTER
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The Journey To Pentecost is a real-life story truly ordained by God. It is a spiritual biography of my mother, Mary Magdalene Harris-Moore, who as a motherless child, searched for God in a way that satisfied the longing she felt for spiritual fulfillment. I grew up listening to her tell the story of her journey over and over again. Each time she told the story great excitement radiated throughout my very being. That special excitement endured throughout the years and one day while I was driving alone in my car through the streets of Chicago reminiscing on the story, God spoke to me and said “Put it in a book”. I immediately called my mother and asked if she had a picture of her fraternal grandmother who had been saved at the ripe old age of 99 and she said “yes I do”. Without hesitation, I proceeded to my mother’s home to pick up photo and other related materials. This story began forming in my head when I was just a small child sitting on the floor playing with dolls and hearing the saints tell their stories of salvation. It is now time to share it with others so they can be inspired, as I have been, to never give up on their search for a closer walk with the Lord. As you take this journey with me, it is my desire that you enjoy it as much as Mom enjoyed living it and as much as I have enjoyed being the daughter of this extraordinary phenomenal woman of God. While Mom and I were at church one night, some neighbors arrived in my father’s car to tell us he had fallen ill. He was stretched out in the back seat of the car unable to move. He had suffered a catastrophic stroke. Mom rushed him to the hospital and after a thorough examination the doctor confirmed the stroke and told us he would never be able to work again I felt so alone and sad—what was I going to do with still two years to go before graduation from high school. What was going to happen to my dreams of going to Nursing School at Howard University so I could help the sick and needy? Mom diligently performed her duties as president of the West Virginia State Youth Department. One her duties was to visit each local youth assembly between State Conventions. She always took me along on those visits. We traveled to churches in all areas of the state. Sometimes we went by train, bus, or car. The young people always received her enthusiastically. She trained me well and I would sit attentively while she encouraged them to continue their pursuit of excellence in Christ Jesus. . Mom would attend these revival services, go to the Mourner’s Bench and try to get religion. Somehow, she still felt empty and un-fulfilled. Therefore, even though she desperately wanted to please God, she could not bring herself to shake the preacher’s hand to indicate that she had gotten religion because she still felt that same emptiness down on the inside One Sunday evening when she was 13 years old, she heard tambourines and singing in the distance. It aroused her curiosity and she attempted to follow the sound which was coming from the porch of a neighbor. She remembers that as she shook his hand, a feeling similar to an electric shock went up her arm. Mom knew instantly that this was where God wanted her to be and immediately asked to be baptized She remembers a bright light coming down from heaven and resting on her head as she began to rejoice in the Lord and the power of his might—speaking in other tongues as the spirit gave utterance. There was no doubt in her mind that this was what she had been searching and waiting for all those years. What a happy day that was as I experienced God’s greatest gift to man-kind—the in-dwelling of the His Holy Spirit in my soul.
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About the Book
Dr. Carolyn Starling-Matthews is a native West Virginian who lived in Chicago, Illinois, for over fifty years. She is a retired educator/administrator from the Chicago Public School System and a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Dr. Starling-Matthews felt the call of God on her life at a very young age as she sat at her mother’s feet and traveled with her throughout the state of West Virginia to visit youth groups in various churches. During that time, she determined within herself to become a mentor and role model for youth everywhere who desired to walk closely with the Lord. She wanted to promote their self-esteem and encourage them to prepare themselves both spiritually and academically in their quest to please God and work successfully in their chosen career. Dr. Starling-Matthews has traveled throughout the United States as an inspirational speaker conducting leadership conferences and as a seminar facilitator promoting excellence in the service of the Lord. She is an acclaimed event coordinator and leader of women’s ministries. She has enjoyed holding a wide range of positions—both professionally and spiritually. She counts her experiences all joy and esteems her work in ministry support just as valuable as her roles of leadership. Her signature theme is: We Are All Somebody In Jesus! She thanks God for the opportunity to work with her husband, Bishop John D. Matthews Sr., in ministry as he serves as pastor and Diocesan Bishop in the state of Louisiana.
About the Author
About the Author Dr. Carolyn Starling Matthews Dr. Carolyn Starling-Matthews has been working in God’s vineyard for over sixty years. She was baptized at the age of seven years old and seriously began her journey in the service of the Lord. She has worked diligently in practically every aspect of the church, doing whatever her hands could find to do. She is an anointed woman of God who has traveled widely, speaking to congregations of all sizes. She does not take no for an answer but lives her life according to the dictates of Philippians 4:13: “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” Dr. Starling-Matthews is a progressive and innovative leader in Christendom who has developed programs, inspired fellow workers, provided arenas for people of all ages to work in the service of the Lord, and promoted excellence among God’s people. Some of the ecclesiastical positions she has held are: Founding director of senior choir Local missionary president Licensed international missionary State missionary president Sunday school superintendent State missionary auxiliary advisor Church and pastoral administrator International expansion board member International convention coordinator Founding editor of International Beacon Newsletter Regional Convention Coordinator Conference Coordinator and Facilitator Believing strongly in the dictates of Apostle Paul in Acts 2:15, to “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” she has sought to be a godly example of what God could do for his people. After marriage and five children, she completed the requirements for her bachelor of science degree, and while teaching school by day, she returned to night school time and time again to acquire advanced degrees and expertise in various subject areas. In due time she obtained: Master of science in business education and administration • Doctorate in education and administration She is now retired from educational and administrative duties but continues her service to God as wife to her husband, Bishop John D. Matthews, and assists in the ministry by lending a helping hand to those who desire a closer walk with the Lord. Dr. Starling-Matthews is the mother of five adult children, grandmother of nine granddaughters, and great-grandmother of two great-granddaughters. She is thankful for the legacy of holiness handed down from her own mother and has tried to live a life that exemplifies those same virtues. She humbly gives glory to God for all the things he has done in her life.