From Port Huron, Michigan, growing up just north of Detroit, in Berkley, Michigan in an idyllic suburban family. Three siblings, both parents working, grandparents, church, and schools— all within walking distance. Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet (dad worked for GM).
But wherever people are— wounds are not too far behind. As a senior in high school, Craig and his high school sweetheart became pregnant. In March of his senior year he married that girl and they began a 43 year long marriage that birthed three children and eventually seven grandchildren. At 24, Craig asked Jesus to lead his life and home, which changed the trajectory of his life forever. Not easy or clean— his faith sent him off to Bible college at 27 while driving a steel truck and leading an emergency food ministry in Warren, Michigan. It turned out youth ministry was his gifting. Craig was a Pastor for over sixteen years. And, he is entering his fifteenth year leading, teaching, and mentoring, through a Detroit area Recovery Ministry. In 1999 while serving as a camp counselor Craig asked God to break him of his selfish ways. God wanted to get all the way down to the twisted roots of the matter.
For parts of twenty-six years, God has been working on Craig’s heart through long seasons of pain— much of it self-induced. The latest shocker was losing his wife to a sudden unexpected illness last November after only a couple days in the hospital. “Six major fractures have happened in my life, where everything was forever changed. God used the pain of this world to bring His healing to my heart. I want to share with you the only real answer to the pain we experience and the coping mechanisms we choose as a result,” Matthews said recently, while teaching at a seminar in his home state.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
