Dr. Bill Matthews
Pastor of Solid Rock Church
In January, 1973, young Bill Matthews was born again as he was driving down the highway in a red-and-white Ford pickup. Immediately sold-out for God, he served in the ministry of helps at his local church.In 1980, Bill Matthews went on a missions trip to Haiti. This was destined to set the course for future international ministry, confirming his call to the nations of the world. In 1982, he moved to Michigan and worked for Jimmy Swaggart Ministries as an area representative. After completing his Bible School education, he was ordained as a minister. In 1989, Bill Matthews became the assistant pastor of the Charlotte Assembly of God, and in 1990, took the senior pastorate of Chelsea Christian Fellowship in Chelsea, Michigan. Then in 1992, he became the senior pastor of Elk River Assembly of God, known today as Solid Rock Church, an independent Word of Faith Church, which he continues to successfully pastor.
Pastor Matthews established Solid Rock Church II in Resistencia, Argentina, birthed during a tent crusade that he was holding in the city. The church building currently seats 2,000 people, with sister churches throughout South America. He has traveled extensively, preaching the Gospel around the world, impacting thousands of people globally with God’s grace and anointing.
Pastor Matthews has founded several Christian schools since 1978, including Solid Rock Christian Academy in Elk River. He has authored three books and many teaching series, available in CDs, that feature a wide range of Christian and practical subjects. Thousands of people can testify of Dr. Matthews’ tremendous love and generosity, and of the many miraculous healings seen throughout his ministry. His wife, Pastor Mary Matthews, and their six adult children serve with him in the ministry at Solid Rock Church.
Pastor Bill Matthews Receives Doctorate of Divinity degree
Honorary Degree Presented During 35-Year Celebration of Ministry
The senior pastor of Solid Rock Church, William “Bill” Matthews, was honored with the degree of Doctorate of Divinity on September 11, 2007. This honorary degree reflects the highest esteem for his consistent Christian lifestyle, his love for God and humanity, and for his uncompromising ministry of the eternal verities of the Holy Bible. Having been nominated by Dr. Ingolf Schmidt of Germany (pictured above, left) and Dr. Ed Dufresne of California (pictured above, center), the degree was awarded by the School of Bible Theology Seminary and University in San Jacinto, California.The presentation was made by Dr. Ingolf Schmidt and Dr. Ed Dufresne at Solid Rock Church during a week-long celebration for Dr. Bill Matthews and his wife, Pastor Mary Matthews, honoring them for their 35 years in the ministry, the last 15 years as pastors of Solid Rock Church. Joining in the celebration were pastors from around the world and across the United States, including pastors from Argentina, Bulgaria, Germany, California, Georgia, Florida, New York, and Minnesota.