by JAMES E. COSSEY


THE ALLAN


IXTY-THREE years ago, 17-year- old Sam Mathura trusted Christ as his personal Savior and was dramatically converted from Hinduism. Sam’s father, who had migrated to Trinidad from India, disowned his son and expelled him from his home. Undaunted, Sam immediately began preaching about Jesus on the streets and wherever else opportunity afforded.


S


MATHURA STORY Son of a Converted Hindu Builds a Strong Church


Sam found favor with God and with people. His ministry flourished. Two years after his conversion, Sam met and married Joyce, who, along with her entire family, had also been converted from Hinduism. Sadly, Sam’s father died enslaved by his false religion, but his mother remarried, and Sam was able to lead his mother and stepfather to faith in Christ.


Three daughters and a son were born in Trinidad to Sam and Joyce. The Mathu- ras instilled the Word of God in their children and taught them the doctrines and practices of the Church of God. In 1968, a Church of God family in South Carolina sponsored the Mathura


family to come to the United States. Allan was 11 years old. His dad evangelized throughout the U.S., sharing his testimo- ny, leading people to Christ, and estab- lishing churches. Joyce managed the fam- ily while Sam was away in revivals, and a family band was born: Hanna played saxophone, Lystra and Ruth played clari- net, and Allan played trombone. All four children grew up to become successful professionals, to have a strong faith in Christ, and to be members of the Church of God.


A studious young man, Allan entered technical college at age 19 with dreams of attending medical school and becoming a doctor. But God had other plans, and during a three-week revival conducted by his father, God called him to be a preach- er. His first sermon was preached in the Laurens Road Church of God in Green- ville, South Carolina, in March 1977. At age 12, Allan met the girl who would become his bride when the Mathura family came to Conley, Georgia, to conduct a revival for Pastors Charles and Ruth Gann. A strong friendship developed between the Ganns’ daughter, Valerie, and Allan’s sister, Ruth. The two became pen pals, and when both decided to attend Lee Uni- versity, they became roommates as well. Allan had already been at Lee for a year when the two girls arrived, and when he and Valerie met again on the sidewalk outside Cross Hall, a renewed friendship soon blossomed into true love. They were married on December 22, 1978. This grandson of a


devout Hindu was destined to be a Christian leader. He


Allan and Valerie Mathura


24 EVANGEL • JULY 2010


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