Varghese K. Mathew

Varghese K. Mathew, known by many as Brother Mathew, was born on November 8, 1942 to Mathai and Sosamma Varghese in Aranmula Kochuveetil House, Kottarakara, India, as the oldest of ten siblings. Raised in the Marthoma faith by devout Christian parents, he developed a deep love for the Word of God and a passion for singing in the church. His early spiritual influences led him to pursue a path of ministry, enrolling in the Hindustan Bible Institute in Chennai, with the dream of becoming a Marthoma priest. He graduated with a Bachelors in Theology. During his time in theology school, he encountered the Pentecostal faith through friends, and embraced the truths of salvation, by accepting adult water baptism in The Pentecostal Mission in Kottarakara, and was eventually filled with the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
It was through this new faith that he was introduced to his wife, Susamma George, who he married on June 28, 1976, faithfully upholding his vows until his final breath 49 years later. God blessed the Mathew family initially, with two girls, Smitha and Seema who were born in India. They settled in Mumbai for a few years before leaving India to migrate to New York City in the early 1980's. They were eventually blessed with another daughter, Stephanie, who completed their close knit family. He and Sister Susamma raised their three girls in the Pentecostal faith, attending the New Testament Church in Brooklyn for many years. He was known for his unwavering commitment to the church, whether by setting up chairs for services, singing backup, and serving as a Sunday School teacher and superintendent. His infectious smile and warm nature made him beloved by all who knew him.
Brother Mathew worked for the Metropolitan Transit Authority in NYC for over 25 years. God delivered his life in many situations, and angels guarded his every step till the very end. His children would get married and move one by one to Dallas TX, so this was the most natural transition to follow where his girls went. He had a very deep love for the Brooklyn faith home ministers and believers, keeping close contact with his church family over the years.
In the last 5 years, Parkinson's disease would restrict him from driving and attending services, but his dear NTC church family in Dallas would make sure to include him through rideshares, and virtual meetings. Brother Mathew's final days were peaceful, and he was lovingly cared for by Sister Susamma, his devoted wife, who was not only his partner but also his best friend and constant companion.
On April 4th, he would eat his last dinner, have family prayer, and go to sleep not knowing that his Savior was calling him home soon. He was never interested in being bed bound, and the good Lord kept him ambulatory despite his diagnosis. His final breath would be on April 6th at 12:33AM, when his spirit went on to rejoice with his Savior, surrounded by family. As we mourn his passing, we find comfort knowing that he is now in the presence of his Savior, free from pain, sickness, and worry.
He is survived by his immediate family: spouse Susamma, their children Smitha and Binu Thankachan (grandsons Caleb and Judah), Seema and Finley Mathew (grandsons Zachary and Emmanuel) and Stephanie and Stanley Panicker (grandson Ryan). He is survived by his nine siblings: George, Mary, Thomas, Ammini, Johnny, Samu, Susie, Gracie, Sabu and their respective families.