Pastor Timothy Mattox: From Darkness To Light

Tim Mattox was born and raised by his mother in the USA, where he lived a fairly normal life until he reached his early teens. Struggling with adolescence, Tim began experimenting with alcohol and drugs to gain the acceptance of his peers.

At age 16, he lost his mother to cancer. Tim was angry and disillusioned with life and turned to stronger drugs to numb the pain. As Tim reached his early twenties, he lost all sense of self-worth, and his life was filled with whatever was necessary to maintain his drug habits. This eventually landed him in jail.

In his jail cell, he became clear-headed for the first time in years. Tim began to realize who he had become and felt a crippling sense of hopelessness. One day, he found a small Gideon-placed New Testament in his cell and began thumbing through the pages, landing in the book of Matthew. While he struggled at first to understand the words, soon Tim was captivated as the pages narrated the extraordinary life of Jesus Christ. Soon, Tim’s understanding of a better life led him to a fully surrendered heart.

Choosing Life

Tim realized God was offering him a brand new start. He understood what God was saying through the words, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness... do not worry about tomorrow,” (Matthew 6:33-34). Tim’s conviction was strong. He confessed his sins to God that day and invited Jesus to be his Savior and Lord. The painful, empty, and visionless life he had led was replaced with joy, purpose, and a future. Ephesians 2:4-5 taught him, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.”

Tim saw only one reasonable response to what God had done for him: to tell anyone who would listen about the life-changing power of Jesus. It was during this time Tim began doing ministry with youth and the elderly. The simple and solid commitment to the study of God’s Word revolutionized Tim’s relationship with God. Working in him and through him, the Lord was gracious in using this unfinished vessel to reach others with His love.

Reaping the Harvest

In 1994, Tim went on a 10-day mission trip to Moscow, where God confirmed His call on Tim’s life to work in the mission field long term. Later that year, Tim returned to Moscow to reach people on the streets with Jesus’ love, work with local churches, and disciple young believers. During the 8 years spent in Moscow, Tim met and married his wife, planted a church, and received his pastor’s ordination.

Pastor Tim and his wife Darlene, along with their daughters, currently live in Cyprus, where he serves as the pastor of Calvary Chapel Paphos. Pastor Tim and his wife disciple a multicultural community of believers from all corners of the globe.

It is with an everlasting love and kindness our God draws us to Himself (Jeremiah 31:3). Pastor Tim’s story gives us hope by reminding us no one is beyond salvation and God’s plan is perfect for those who accept his Lordship.