28 Feb 2025, 14:39Adina LupuGlasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland, United Kingdom
Interview with Volunteer Samuel Matheus
In this interview, Adina Lupu delves into Samuel Matheus' personal journey and his significant year serving with the Scottish Mission.
A comprehensive Scottish Mission (SM) Youth Survey, completed in 2023, highlighted that retaining youth after the age of 18 poses a serious challenge to the future of the SM. On the recommendation of the Youth Advisory, the SM Executive Committee initiated a recruitment process aimed at identifying volunteers with additional skills beyond pastoral work, such as music and social media. These skills would enable them to connect with a wider range of youth interests and address the retention issue.
Samuel Matheus, aged 26, was one of two volunteers invited to support the SM initiative in April of last year. This initiative aims to provide young people with new opportunities to grow, develop their skills, and remain engaged with the church. In this interview, Samuel shares insights into his life and education, his passion for service, his contributions to the SM Youth Department since joining, and his future goals.
Q: Could you share with us a bit about your childhood? Were you raised in an Adventist home, and what are some of your fondest memories from that time?
A: I was born into an Adventist family, and my entire life has been deeply connected to the church. My maternal grandmother served as a missionary for the Adventist Church in São Paulo for over 20 years. Growing up, I witnessed her dedication through Bible studies and evangelistic conferences. I was baptised at the age of 8 and began giving Bible studies to children my age around the age of 10, under the supervision of my Sabbath School teacher. I have always been very active in the church. Even as I stepped into the baptismal waters at 8, I already knew I wanted to be a pastor. As a child, I would fill my mother’s food containers with water and pretend to baptise my toys, dreaming of the day I would baptise real people.
Q: As you grew up, what other opportunities did you have to develop your skills and live out the calling God has placed on your heart?
A: I delivered my first sermon at the age of 14 during a Sabbath morning service in a small church in my neighbourhood. At 16, I prayed for God to expand my horizons, and at 18, I went on a mission trip to Mexico, where I conducted a week of prayer in Spanish. God has blessed me with the opportunity to preach and lead Week of Prayer events in 7 of Brazil’s 26 states.
Q: To pursue your dream of becoming a pastor, did you decide to study Theology?
A: Yes. I started my Theology studies in 2017 and began a Journalism degree in 2018. I attended Theology classes in the morning and Journalism classes in the evening — it was a challenging journey, but God continually strengthened me. In 2018, I prayed for an opportunity to study English abroad. In 2019, I took a break from both degrees and travelled to the USA, where I spent six months improving my English skills. After returning to Brazil in 2020 during the pandemic, I resumed my studies online via Zoom for two years, while also participating in pastoral internships on weekends.
Q: Do you have a personal testimony of how God has shown His faithfulness to you, to encourage other young people who feel called to pastoral ministry but are unsure how they can make it a reality?
A: In February 2016, after a 40-day mission trip to Mexico, I faced a financial challenge in paying my university enrolment fee for my Theology course. Although I received some support from friends and family, I was still short of the required amount. In that moment, I knelt in my living room, lifted the money I had towards heaven, and prayed, reaffirming God's call on my life to serve Him. Shortly after, I felt prompted to message a friend about my situation. She immediately went to the bank to send me half the amount I needed. At that very moment, another friend sent me the remaining amount. God answered my prayer instantly through two people! I paid the enrolment fee, though already owing the next month's tuition, but God continually provided. My six-year journey to graduation was marked by countless miracles. I can confidently say that God didn’t just part the sea for me — He dried it up! Glory to God! When He calls, He provides.
Q: Indeed, what a powerful testimony! How has God used you in recent years to serve others?
A: For five years, I served as an elder, small group leader, Sabbath School teacher, and pastoral assistant. I also led a Bible class for several years, guiding many individuals to baptism. Upon graduating in both Theology and Journalism, the university hired me as an Editor for their publishing house, Unas Press. Shortly after, I was invited to work with Rede Novo Tempo de Comunicação (Hope Channel in Brazil) as a Bible study producer. Before coming to Scotland, I spent 10 months working as a Bible Teacher and Assistant Pastor at the weekends at an Adventist School in São Paulo.
Q: You joined the Youth Department of the Scottish Mission in April 2024. What projects have you been involved in and are currently working on since arriving in Scotland?
A: I am supporting the Communication Team in Glasgow Church with social media management, including creating videos and posts. The aim of the digital communication I create is to reach not only the SDA community but anyone else who might happen to access our social media platforms. I serve as a preacher for the Scottish Mission, speaking at churches upon pastoral invitations. I support Baptismal Classes and lead Bible studies with teenagers at the Glasgow church. Additionally, I assist the youth department of the Scottish Mission in any activities they require, for example at the day of Fellowship in October last year, the Youth Retreat and for the upcoming Youth Day of Fellowship. I am a member of the Care and Board Games Groups run by the Youth Department in Glasgow Church, which are open to other youth from the SM too. I am currently preparing to deliver a workshop on Digital Evangelism through social media, open to all youth in the SM. My goal is to support the Scottish Mission Youth to share Jesus through digital platforms.
Q: What are some of your hobbies, and what do you enjoy most about life in Scotland?
A: I enjoy walking in the park, running outdoors, and listening to music. I also love roller skating. Since moving to Scotland, I’ve grown to love the landscape — there are beautiful mountains, lakes, and castles everywhere. Additionally, I have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, and I find the local Scottish people very friendly. Having so many parks within the city is something I also enjoy.
Q: What are your future goals as a volunteer in the Scottish Mission?
A: I believe social media can be used to retain youth in the church by creating a more accessible and engaging community, sharing relevant content, promoting upcoming events, fostering open dialogue, utilising visual elements, and allowing youth to actively participate in sharing their faith experiences on platforms they already use regularly, thus keeping them connected to the church even outside of traditional services. Sometimes young people can feel shy or intimidated when expressing their views publicly in a church setting, but they often feel more comfortable doing so on social media, where they can connect with peers of a similar age. With this in mind, one of my upcoming projects is to create a social media platform that provides a safe space for those youth who may not be able to regularly attend social gatherings or the local church, but still want to engage in virtual discussions on a variety of topics of interest. Every young Adventist uses WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat. These social media platforms can be powerful tools in the hands of the youth. Through working with social media, I believe I can inspire and equip young people to use their phones as tools to share God’s love, while also fostering greater engagement with the church and its mission. In terms of long-term ministry goals, I am praying for an opportunity to continue my pastoral studies at Newbold College, with the view to one day serve as a pastor in the SM or anywhere else in the BUC.
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Following the interview, Pastor Claudiu Popescu, who served as the Youth Sponsor for the SM for over 10 years and participated in the recruitment process, shared the following:
“I came to know Samuel as a humble, sensible, and Spirit-led individual with a deep understanding of his calling to ministry. I admire his desire and willingness to preach whenever he has the opportunity, as well as his ability to connect effortlessly with members of different ages and cultures, especially the youth, in a genuine and meaningful way. In today’s social landscape, characterised by individualism and digital technologies, his passion for youth ministry and evangelism through social media has proven to be a great blessing for Glasgow Church.”
The Scottish Mission deeply appreciates the commitment and enthusiasm Samuel has shown throughout his time here. His efforts have left a lasting impression, and his leadership and dedication have served as an inspiration to many within the church community.
In this interview, Adina Lupu delves into Samuel Matheus' personal journey and his significant year serving with the Scottish Mission.
A comprehensive Scottish Mission (SM) Youth Survey, completed in 2023, highlighted that retaining youth after the age of 18 poses a serious challenge to the future of the SM. On the recommendation of the Youth Advisory, the SM Executive Committee initiated a recruitment process aimed at identifying volunteers with additional skills beyond pastoral work, such as music and social media. These skills would enable them to connect with a wider range of youth interests and address the retention issue.
Samuel Matheus, aged 26, was one of two volunteers invited to support the SM initiative in April of last year. This initiative aims to provide young people with new opportunities to grow, develop their skills, and remain engaged with the church. In this interview, Samuel shares insights into his life and education, his passion for service, his contributions to the SM Youth Department since joining, and his future goals.
Q: Could you share with us a bit about your childhood? Were you raised in an Adventist home, and what are some of your fondest memories from that time?
A: I was born into an Adventist family, and my entire life has been deeply connected to the church. My maternal grandmother served as a missionary for the Adventist Church in São Paulo for over 20 years. Growing up, I witnessed her dedication through Bible studies and evangelistic conferences. I was baptised at the age of 8 and began giving Bible studies to children my age around the age of 10, under the supervision of my Sabbath School teacher. I have always been very active in the church. Even as I stepped into the baptismal waters at 8, I already knew I wanted to be a pastor. As a child, I would fill my mother’s food containers with water and pretend to baptise my toys, dreaming of the day I would baptise real people.
Q: As you grew up, what other opportunities did you have to develop your skills and live out the calling God has placed on your heart?
A: I delivered my first sermon at the age of 14 during a Sabbath morning service in a small church in my neighbourhood. At 16, I prayed for God to expand my horizons, and at 18, I went on a mission trip to Mexico, where I conducted a week of prayer in Spanish. God has blessed me with the opportunity to preach and lead Week of Prayer events in 7 of Brazil’s 26 states.
Q: To pursue your dream of becoming a pastor, did you decide to study Theology?
A: Yes. I started my Theology studies in 2017 and began a Journalism degree in 2018. I attended Theology classes in the morning and Journalism classes in the evening — it was a challenging journey, but God continually strengthened me. In 2018, I prayed for an opportunity to study English abroad. In 2019, I took a break from both degrees and travelled to the USA, where I spent six months improving my English skills. After returning to Brazil in 2020 during the pandemic, I resumed my studies online via Zoom for two years, while also participating in pastoral internships on weekends.
Q: Do you have a personal testimony of how God has shown His faithfulness to you, to encourage other young people who feel called to pastoral ministry but are unsure how they can make it a reality?
A: In February 2016, after a 40-day mission trip to Mexico, I faced a financial challenge in paying my university enrolment fee for my Theology course. Although I received some support from friends and family, I was still short of the required amount. In that moment, I knelt in my living room, lifted the money I had towards heaven, and prayed, reaffirming God's call on my life to serve Him. Shortly after, I felt prompted to message a friend about my situation. She immediately went to the bank to send me half the amount I needed. At that very moment, another friend sent me the remaining amount. God answered my prayer instantly through two people! I paid the enrolment fee, though already owing the next month's tuition, but God continually provided. My six-year journey to graduation was marked by countless miracles. I can confidently say that God didn’t just part the sea for me — He dried it up! Glory to God! When He calls, He provides.
Q: Indeed, what a powerful testimony! How has God used you in recent years to serve others?
A: For five years, I served as an elder, small group leader, Sabbath School teacher, and pastoral assistant. I also led a Bible class for several years, guiding many individuals to baptism. Upon graduating in both Theology and Journalism, the university hired me as an Editor for their publishing house, Unas Press. Shortly after, I was invited to work with Rede Novo Tempo de Comunicação (Hope Channel in Brazil) as a Bible study producer. Before coming to Scotland, I spent 10 months working as a Bible Teacher and Assistant Pastor at the weekends at an Adventist School in São Paulo.
Q: You joined the Youth Department of the Scottish Mission in April 2024. What projects have you been involved in and are currently working on since arriving in Scotland?
A: I am supporting the Communication Team in Glasgow Church with social media management, including creating videos and posts. The aim of the digital communication I create is to reach not only the SDA community but anyone else who might happen to access our social media platforms. I serve as a preacher for the Scottish Mission, speaking at churches upon pastoral invitations. I support Baptismal Classes and lead Bible studies with teenagers at the Glasgow church. Additionally, I assist the youth department of the Scottish Mission in any activities they require, for example at the day of Fellowship in October last year, the Youth Retreat and for the upcoming Youth Day of Fellowship. I am a member of the Care and Board Games Groups run by the Youth Department in Glasgow Church, which are open to other youth from the SM too. I am currently preparing to deliver a workshop on Digital Evangelism through social media, open to all youth in the SM. My goal is to support the Scottish Mission Youth to share Jesus through digital platforms.
Q: What are some of your hobbies, and what do you enjoy most about life in Scotland?
A: I enjoy walking in the park, running outdoors, and listening to music. I also love roller skating. Since moving to Scotland, I’ve grown to love the landscape — there are beautiful mountains, lakes, and castles everywhere. Additionally, I have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, and I find the local Scottish people very friendly. Having so many parks within the city is something I also enjoy.
Q: What are your future goals as a volunteer in the Scottish Mission?
A: I believe social media can be used to retain youth in the church by creating a more accessible and engaging community, sharing relevant content, promoting upcoming events, fostering open dialogue, utilising visual elements, and allowing youth to actively participate in sharing their faith experiences on platforms they already use regularly, thus keeping them connected to the church even outside of traditional services. Sometimes young people can feel shy or intimidated when expressing their views publicly in a church setting, but they often feel more comfortable doing so on social media, where they can connect with peers of a similar age. With this in mind, one of my upcoming projects is to create a social media platform that provides a safe space for those youth who may not be able to regularly attend social gatherings or the local church, but still want to engage in virtual discussions on a variety of topics of interest. Every young Adventist uses WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat. These social media platforms can be powerful tools in the hands of the youth. Through working with social media, I believe I can inspire and equip young people to use their phones as tools to share God’s love, while also fostering greater engagement with the church and its mission. In terms of long-term ministry goals, I am praying for an opportunity to continue my pastoral studies at Newbold College, with the view to one day serve as a pastor in the SM or anywhere else in the BUC.
--
Following the interview, Pastor Claudiu Popescu, who served as the Youth Sponsor for the SM for over 10 years and participated in the recruitment process, shared the following:
“I came to know Samuel as a humble, sensible, and Spirit-led individual with a deep understanding of his calling to ministry. I admire his desire and willingness to preach whenever he has the opportunity, as well as his ability to connect effortlessly with members of different ages and cultures, especially the youth, in a genuine and meaningful way. In today’s social landscape, characterised by individualism and digital technologies, his passion for youth ministry and evangelism through social media has proven to be a great blessing for Glasgow Church.”
The Scottish Mission deeply appreciates the commitment and enthusiasm Samuel has shown throughout his time here. His efforts have left a lasting impression, and his leadership and dedication have served as an inspiration to many within the church community.
