Worship Recap | “Church, church, why are you persecuting me?”

This past week, I was struck by the arrest of Rev. Dr. William Barber II in the Capitol Rotunda—not for violence or disruption, but for praying with justice and the poor in mind. His prayer wasn’t dangerous because it broke laws; it was dangerous because it challenged systems of injustice. And it reminded me: the Church still hears that cry from Jesus—“Church, church, why are you persecuting me?”

In Acts 9, Saul is on a mission of destruction, convinced he’s doing God’s will. He’s armed with permission, hatred, and self-righteous purpose. But on the road to Damascus, Jesus stops him with a thunderous question: “Why are you persecuting me?” Jesus identifies not with power, but with those Saul is harming. And I wonder—have we, the Church, become like Saul? Have we used the name of Jesus to justify exclusion, hate, and violence?

But the good news is—grace still interrupts. Saul’s encounter with Jesus changed everything. He didn’t just pray a new prayer; he walked a new path. He saw those he once hated as siblings. And Ananias—fearful but faithful—was transformed too. That’s the work of grace: it heals, it sends, it restores.

I believe the same Jesus who stopped Saul still speaks to us. Not to condemn, but to convert. Not to shame, but to sanctify. And I believe in the Church—not the one that plays it safe, but the one that rises up, walks dusty roads, and lays down power to pick up the cross.

Church, God still calls. How will we answer?

Watch the video of the May 4, 2025 service
(Pastor Mat’s sermon begins at 26:50)

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Pastor Mat

Pastor Mat (he/him) came to Bethel in the Fall of 2003 to serve as the youth pastor. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Eastern Nazarene College in 2005 and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Northwest Nazarene University in 2010. Currently, Mat is a Doctor of Ministry candidate at Nazarene Theological Seminary in the Black Leadership and Ministry track. Mat married the love of his life, I’Esha, on July 11, 2009. They have three wonderful children. Mat is ordained as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Mat has been serving as Bethel Church of the Nazarene’s lead pastor since 2015. Mat served as an instructor of philosophical ethics, church history, and theology in the Religion and Culture program at Eastern Nazarene College for over ten years prior to the school’s closing. Currently, Mat teaches religious studies as an adjunct at Regis College in Weston, MA and theology as an adjunct at Northwest Nazarene University. In addition, Mat volunteers on several non-profit boards and is a co-leader for Quincy4Justice, Quincy Interfaith Network, and Quincy for Transformative Change. He enjoys reading, riding his bicycle, traveling, swimming, stimulating theological discussions, and cold brew coffee. Mat is passionate about the intersections of theology and justice. He is committed to dismantling white supremacy and patriarchy in the church and society. Mat’s specific areas of ministry at Bethel include church leadership, worship coordination, staff development, and pastoral care.