No such thing as a ‘use-by’ date
Beautiful hearts: Envoy (retired) Matt Blessington and his wife Joan. (Photo by Benjamin Moyes)
“A couple of years ago Matt preached at Miracle Haven and it was the simplest message, but at the end I don’t think there was room at the mercy seat. Everyone in the room responded. That is the Holy Spirit at work in and through his life,” says Bonnells Bay Corps officer Laura Gittins
In his mid-80s, at an age when many others are well into retirement, Salvation Army Territorial Envoy (retired) Matt Blessington recently prayed and accepted an invitation to become volunteer chaplain to the Bonnells Bay Salvation Army Family Store.
A member of the Bonnells Bay Salvation Army Corps, Matt also serves as a mentor to the young leaders of what is known as the Corps’ ‘home church’ – a service run mainly for participants of the Dooralong Salvation Army Recovery Services Centre.
Co-home church leader Ben Moyes says: “Matt is traditional, yet still relevant and current enough to reach and connect with men and women from Miracle Haven/ Dooralong,”
“He doesn't miss a Monday night. His passion and commitment is not only inspiring, it’s courageous! In spite of ill health (prostate cancer), he continues to love and serve.”
Matt and “wonderful” wife Joan were married, then converted in 1948 through the preaching of American evangelist Hyman Appleman.
After seven years in the Baptist denomination, including running a church, the couple then moved to buy a home. Helping host a billet during a local Salvation Army outreach, Matt says he and Joan became “tremendously interested in The Salvation Army”.
Not wanting to run ahead of God, Matt explains: “54 years ago on the last Sunday of the campaign, the officer Bill Cairns asked me would I go out to a country spot and do a cottage meeting with him. On the way home I’m praying ‘Lord now’s the chance for Bill to ask me to become a Salvationist’. Anyway we stopped the car and he said ‘Matt, there’s something I want to ask you. How would you and Joan like to become members of The Salvation Army’ and I said, “Oh hallelujah Bill, you’ve answered our prayers!”
The couple became soldiers and then were later appointed as Territorial Envoys. They managed The Salvation Army Collaroy Centre and worked in Papua New Guinea for a number of years.
Matt says in recent years supporting those at Miracle Haven, then Dooralong has been wonderful.
He says: “Of all the opportunities the Lord has given us to be in touch with men and women, I would say Miracle Haven, then Dooralong would be one of the greatest experiences ever. You begin to talk to the people in rehab and you begin to realise that deep down in their heart they would love to have a change in their life.
“It’s been so thrilling. We have seen many that have gone on strong with the Lord.”
Asked how he stays passionate, Matt says he reads widely and asks God to teach him about specific topics and seeks God’s Holy Spirit guidance and empowering in all the couple do.
Bonnells Bay co-corps officer Captain Laura Gittins says: “Matt is someone who has a willing heart to serve. He loves Jesus with all his heart and I’m sure he believes there is simply no such thing as a use-by date.
“He’s just a beautiful man!”
Comments
He is your grand father when your own family no longer talks to u. A true inspiration and a gentlemen. God bless matt.