Apostle Charles Mathis, Founder

Apostle Charles Mathis gave his life to Christ in 1976. He was baptized at Wheat Street Baptist Church 
under the leadership of Pastor Border. He was a very faithful member there for a number of years. 

With hunger to learn more about the Lord and religion, 
Pastor Mathis enrolled in Barbara King’s School of Ministry 
and completed a two-year study. During this time he met 
and married Carolyn. They have been blessed with four 
beautiful daughters, Angela, Quiana, Khadija, and Rukiya, 
a son-in-law, Francis, grandson, Francis Lakyus, and grand 
daughter Brielle Burris.  

In 1986, Apostle Mathis answered his call by God to 
preach the gospel while attending New Macedonia Baptist 
Church. He was ordained by Pastor Gerry Anderson and 
served under his leadership as an associate minister.

Later he was introduced to Morris Cerullo, World 
Evangelist Minister, where Apostle Mathis served as an 
elder in ministry.

In 1989, Apostle Mathis joined St. Peter Missionary Baptist 
Church under the leadership of Pastor Howard Creecy, Jr. 
and became an associate minister. He served faithfully 
until the Lord led him to start a church.

In May of 1992, Apostle Charles Mathis was led and 
instructed by the Holy Spirit and founded Emmanuel House 
of Prayer and Word of Truth, Inc. which is presently name
Emmanuel Light of the World International Church.  The Church’s foundation is grounded solidly in 
prayer and the word of God. Emmanuel Light of the World has brought forth several outreach ministries 
which include the Homeless Mission Ministry, Prison Ministry, Witnessing Ministry, Deliverance Ministry, 
Radio Ministry, and Cell Prayer Ministry.

In October of 2000, Charles Mathis and his beautiful wife Carolyn was ordained as Apostle and Pastor of 
Emmanuel Light of the World International Church by Dr. Henry and Anne Jones of I AM Harvest Network, 
Incorporated.     

God led Apostle Mathis around the world to preach the gospel in various countries such as Cameroon, 
Paris, Martinique, and China, just to name a few. He devoted his time to counseling, teaching, witnessing, 
and praying for his members and lost souls everywhere. Charles motto was to win souls and to make 
disciples for the Kingdom of God. After fighting a hard battle with his illness, on May 22, 2007 he saw 
Jesus. In the quiet, cool hours of the morning he closed his eyes to rest forever with his Lord, Jesus 
Christ.

Apostle Mathis’s “Future Vision” for Emmanuel Light of the World International Church, Inc. is a church in 
the round with twelve stories.