Mathew means Gift of the Lord. In 1973, a middle aged immigrant missionary came to New York from India, the land of superstitions and breeding ground of various religions. His name was Mathai P. Mathai. Born into a namesake Christian family in 1924, he started his secular career as a school teacher. Mr. Mathai continued his civic duties by serving in the Indian Army till 1952. After leaving the Army, he became a Civil Engineering Teacher. It was in 1960 that the Master engineer of the universe drafted Mr. Mathai to serve him. He left everything and obeyed the Lord in accepting the challenge to be a full time gospel worker.

After serving as a pioneer minister of the gospel in
Kerala - the land that heard the gospel of Jesus
Christ as early as 52 AD through none other than
Thomas the disciple of Jesus - Rev. Mathai came
to the United States with his wife Annamma and
his three children to continue his mandate. He
was used as an instrument in the hands of the
Master craftsman in forming the first congregation
of Church of God believers of Indian descent in the
USA. That was the beginning of Brooklyn Church
of God which later moved to Elmont and was
renamed First Church of God.

The Lord used Rev. Mathai in various capacities during his ministry in the USA as the District Overseer, Local Coordinator of the National Pentecostal Conference etc. Over and above all, he was instrumental in bringing many lives to the saving grace of Christ, mending many broken families, and mentoring many lives that committed to serve the Lord in His vineyard. The church that Rev. Mathai founded has produced over twenty five Pastors, Evangelists, and Youth Leaders who are being used powerfully all across the world.

Even though Rev. Mathai went to be with the Lord on February 3, 1993, the torch he lit is being carried by a group of dedicated and anointed ministers. Under the leadership of Rev. Moni Mathew, the First Church of God is gearing up to continue the great task that its founder was not able to complete.