Pastor Matthew Kratz grew up in Toronto, and has lived in Guelph, Brantford, Paris and now Ajax Ontario. Matthew married Lisa and worked together in the financial services sector until attending Heritage Theological Seminary in Cambridge, and working as a student Pastor at Maranatha Baptist Church in Paris Ontario. After Seminary, Matthew did a year of interim ministry in Hamilton and worked as a resource consultant at Sola Scriptura Ministries International in Guelph Ontario. After serving as Senior Pastor for 11 years at Everton Community Church, just north of Guelph, Matthew, Lisa, Ethan and Garret, are enjoying their new ministry at Safe Haven Worship Centre in Pickering.
Testimony:
I was adopted at 14 days old, baptised as an infant and raised by a mother and father who are practicing Catholics: I came to regard the Roman Catholic Church as the only legitimate universal church. First established in Rome with Peter as the Rock (Mt 16). I saw the Papacy as a direct descendant of Peter holding the keys to the kingdom of heaven on earth.
I was taught primarily from the gospel parables at mass and through Catholic elementary school. I was never encouraged to read a Bible. When I saw one it was one based on the Vulgate translation including the added Apocryphal books, which I would come to learn as being non-inspired.
I was taught through these books that I could atone for my sins after death in Purgatory and perform some earthly penance to atone for them now. There seemed to be a strange distinction between serious Mortal and less serious Venial sins. All sin seemed to be an offense against God, and I could not understand the distinction. I was encouraged to pray for the dead and of the intercession of Mary and the Saints.
As a child I possessed no assurance of salvation. I never actually recall hearing the Word, and I was taught that I could only have security as I continuously obeyed the Roman Catholic Church.
From the little teaching that I had, I could clearly see myself as a sinner, needing forgiveness. I was told that I need to rely on the observance of the mass and works. Through ritualism such as the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary and other actions I continuously tried to please God.
I looked for ways to please God. I persisted at an early age to become an alter boy. I recall meeting with a priest and beginning the process. I delighted in having a more active participation in the mass. During periods such a lent, I recall going every day to mass. Regardless of how often we celebrated the mass, elements like the cup were withheld. I was told of the mystery of transubstantion where the Eucharist wafer and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ.
I admired the priests. One priest in particular, Father Chris, seemed like such a kind and loving person. He would always answer my questions. One day I went to him and said that I would like to become a priest and would like to meet with him and his wife to talk about it. He informed me of the Celibacy of the priesthood, and as a young hormonal boy, I then dismissed the priesthood. Marriage itself seemed strange, for I heard of the ability through Annulment to just declare that a marriage did not really occur.
I went though the second sacrament of Confirmation at about 12 years of age. Through high school I continued attending the church and eventually had the opportunity to become a brother in the Knights of Columbus, a catholic fraternal organization. I went through the degrees and eventually attained the highest order of the fourth degree. As far as I know, I was by far the youngest to attain the fourth degree and it seemed like quite an honor.
I enjoyed attending religious retreats at the Augustinian monastery, at King city. I met some seminarians and before I could seriously reconsider the priesthood, hormones took over and won the fight.
As most young men find out, moving out of the house puts everything to the test. When I left home to go to the University of Guelph, I had many new choices in regards to my spiritual direction. I went to the on campus mass and when I needed to talk to a priest, I could find him in the campus bar. When I moved off campus, one of my roommates was catholic and we went to mass off campus.
I enjoyed singing in the choir and playing trumpet in Guelph at the Church of Our Lady cathedral. The beauty was awesome! But only lasted for a season. Just like the pictures of the saints around the cathedral, who were actually the faces of local people, so the answers to the big questions were just a charade of tradition and blind faith.
The watershed moment of my inadequacy came when I sat in the campus cafeteria, and a worker from Campus crusade for Christ talked with me. He showed me how my sin separated me from a Holy God and only Christ could bridge the gap. For the first time everything became clear. I realized that all my works would not enable me to reach God and only knowing, loving and trusting Christ alone would.
I left the discussion determined to support what I just heard. I met with a priest and asked him specific theological questions. I asked him all the elements about what I was taught. Eventually exasperated with me he said: “son, let me help you understand: that book you are holding (the Bible) is the small book, life is the big book”. Now I realized where the buck stops. Instead of the word of God, he was pointing to experience, tradition and Roman Catholic dogma. I did not agree with him. For me it was like a light coming on, and the different perspectives were finally made clear.
From that point onward I knew that Roman Catholicism was biblically bankrupt and relying on the teachings of men. When I left the Roman Catholic Church I was declared to be anathema or accursed. But I saw in Scripture (Gal. 1:9) that anyone who preaches any other Gospel is accursed. I saw that there is only one mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5). Neither Mary nor any other saint may intercede between God and man. My faith is built on the Rock (Mt. 16:18) (Petra) Christ not the Petros who is Peter. As a Hierarchy, I saw from 1 Cor. 2: The natural man receiveth not the things of God. I saw from Jn. 17: That we need to be Sanctified (separate unto holiness). The Wheat and the tears will remain together until the end of the age, but like in Jn. 17, there will be those who are like Judas and the Pharisees, thinking they are close to Jesus but lost. He will one day say those terrible words, Depart from me ye workers of iniquity, I never know you. I say that we could not be unequally yoked (2 Cor. 6:14) claiming to worship with those who are fundamentally different in belief from ourselves. I saw the scriptures teaching (Jn. 14: 23) that for someone to claim that they love Jesus, they must keep his commands.
That obedience came to development when I met Lisa, who later became my wife. Every date we had, resulted in a barrage of theological questions directed at me. Expecting me to answer as a Roman Catholic, Lisa always went away confused for I answered from an orthodox Biblical perspective and not a Catholic one. God blessed our marriage with two wonderful sons, Ethan and Garret.
It was my background in the Canadian Military that shaped my acceptance of the concept of submission. In the military I had orders. That was the mission. I also had the obligation to obey every lawful order. I was "under" orders, that was the "sub" in submission. Submission explains salvation (Phil. 2:9-11), the roles in the home, from spouses to kids, our relation to others in the church, leadership, employers, and to how we relate to Government. The term therefore not only helps us understand our roles but our purposes and objectives.
As I continued to work in the “secular” workforce, it was frequently suggested to me to consider pastoral ministry. I found many excuses to avoid doing this but God continued to work through His saints and prayer for me to pursue this path. I began seminary and started teaching in my local church. The gifts and talents that God gave me for ministry have been confirmed from the people to whom I have ministered. God has given me the spiritual gifts of the ability to give wise advise (wisdom), faith, discernment (1 Cor. 12:8-10) teaching, helps (1 Cor. 12:28), encouragement, leadership (Rom. 12:1-8) evangelism and shepherding (Acts 20:18, Eph. 4:16, 1 Pt. 5:2). I cannot neglect the gifts with which he has blessed me with (1 Tim. 4:14) and cannot but speak and serve (Acts 4:20). I have recognized God's calling on my life for salvation (2 Cor. 13:5), service (Eph. 2:10), seeing confirmation from others (1 Tim. 4:14), by God (1 Cor. 16:8-9), gifting (Eph. 4:11-12) longing for ministry (1 Tim. 3:1) and acknowledgement of character (1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9).
Through the affirmation of others (Acts 13:3; 14:23; 1 Tim. 4:14) and fruit (Mt. 7:16-20) evident in their lives, I find great joy that God is using me to equip His saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12). Careful examination by myself and others continue to confirm the moral qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 for pastoral ministry. I have no greater desire that to glorify Him by being His instrument in pastoral ministry (1 Tim. 3:1).
Maranatha Baptist Church in Paris was the first place I received any systematic theological training. I made the public declaration of my belief on July 18, 1993 through baptism by immersion. When I went into the workforce after university, a workplace colleague suggested that I consider the Pastorate. I dismissed the notion considering my relative recent theological training and I regarded myself as having a poor memory. But the Holy Spirit continued to work in me and encouraged me and I continued in prayer and discussion on the matter. I entered Heritage Theological Seminary and began as the student pastor at Maranatha. I graduated Seminary in 1999.
I enjoyed teaching classes at Maranatha and after seminary accepted a position in a reformed congregation in Hamilton. I examined the statement of faith and falsely assumed the congregation believed their own written statement of faith. I soon found that the leadership of the congregation did not hold the Bible as their final authority and I was told not to use it so much in ministry. I was told what passage to preach from, how long to preach, what to teach through the week, how to worship and how to officiate the Lord's Table and refrain from any church discipline. Showing the true authority, one woman held up a prayer book and said that “this is our bible”. Even with such restriction put late in the game I remained faithful to the Word of God and even though I was told what to preach, I used those texts to preach the doctrine contained there in. I became so offensive that one day I received a letter in the mail not to return. No hearing, no face-to-face accusation and no charges.
Seeing the importance of the need for Scripture to be regarded and used as the final authority to test all things of faith and practice, I accepted a call to be a resource consultant for Sola Scriptura in Guelph. I answered theological questions, developed Internet listings, organized office systems, searched out specific theological material from a confessional orthodox stance, met with pastors and ministry leaders, and conducted conferences on specific theological topics.
For the past 11 years, the privilege of being the Senior Pastor of Everton Community Church. This blessing has allowed me to preach through major sections of scripture, establish a deacon’s ministry, discipleship program including foundational training, personal assessment and evangelism training. It has been a joy to see the fruit of a vibrant outreach ministry involving community groups that reach out to non-Christians meeting in believers homes for a meal, short video and discussion. All in all, I believe God has called me to a broader, more multicultural ministry here at Safe Haven and I pray this can be a fruitful ministry where God will be glorified through us all.
Your servant in Christ;
Pastor Matthew Kratz
pastorkratz@rogers.com
Testimony:
I was adopted at 14 days old, baptised as an infant and raised by a mother and father who are practicing Catholics: I came to regard the Roman Catholic Church as the only legitimate universal church. First established in Rome with Peter as the Rock (Mt 16). I saw the Papacy as a direct descendant of Peter holding the keys to the kingdom of heaven on earth.
I was taught primarily from the gospel parables at mass and through Catholic elementary school. I was never encouraged to read a Bible. When I saw one it was one based on the Vulgate translation including the added Apocryphal books, which I would come to learn as being non-inspired.
I was taught through these books that I could atone for my sins after death in Purgatory and perform some earthly penance to atone for them now. There seemed to be a strange distinction between serious Mortal and less serious Venial sins. All sin seemed to be an offense against God, and I could not understand the distinction. I was encouraged to pray for the dead and of the intercession of Mary and the Saints.
As a child I possessed no assurance of salvation. I never actually recall hearing the Word, and I was taught that I could only have security as I continuously obeyed the Roman Catholic Church.
From the little teaching that I had, I could clearly see myself as a sinner, needing forgiveness. I was told that I need to rely on the observance of the mass and works. Through ritualism such as the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary and other actions I continuously tried to please God.
I looked for ways to please God. I persisted at an early age to become an alter boy. I recall meeting with a priest and beginning the process. I delighted in having a more active participation in the mass. During periods such a lent, I recall going every day to mass. Regardless of how often we celebrated the mass, elements like the cup were withheld. I was told of the mystery of transubstantion where the Eucharist wafer and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ.
I admired the priests. One priest in particular, Father Chris, seemed like such a kind and loving person. He would always answer my questions. One day I went to him and said that I would like to become a priest and would like to meet with him and his wife to talk about it. He informed me of the Celibacy of the priesthood, and as a young hormonal boy, I then dismissed the priesthood. Marriage itself seemed strange, for I heard of the ability through Annulment to just declare that a marriage did not really occur.
I went though the second sacrament of Confirmation at about 12 years of age. Through high school I continued attending the church and eventually had the opportunity to become a brother in the Knights of Columbus, a catholic fraternal organization. I went through the degrees and eventually attained the highest order of the fourth degree. As far as I know, I was by far the youngest to attain the fourth degree and it seemed like quite an honor.
I enjoyed attending religious retreats at the Augustinian monastery, at King city. I met some seminarians and before I could seriously reconsider the priesthood, hormones took over and won the fight.
As most young men find out, moving out of the house puts everything to the test. When I left home to go to the University of Guelph, I had many new choices in regards to my spiritual direction. I went to the on campus mass and when I needed to talk to a priest, I could find him in the campus bar. When I moved off campus, one of my roommates was catholic and we went to mass off campus.
I enjoyed singing in the choir and playing trumpet in Guelph at the Church of Our Lady cathedral. The beauty was awesome! But only lasted for a season. Just like the pictures of the saints around the cathedral, who were actually the faces of local people, so the answers to the big questions were just a charade of tradition and blind faith.
The watershed moment of my inadequacy came when I sat in the campus cafeteria, and a worker from Campus crusade for Christ talked with me. He showed me how my sin separated me from a Holy God and only Christ could bridge the gap. For the first time everything became clear. I realized that all my works would not enable me to reach God and only knowing, loving and trusting Christ alone would.
I left the discussion determined to support what I just heard. I met with a priest and asked him specific theological questions. I asked him all the elements about what I was taught. Eventually exasperated with me he said: “son, let me help you understand: that book you are holding (the Bible) is the small book, life is the big book”. Now I realized where the buck stops. Instead of the word of God, he was pointing to experience, tradition and Roman Catholic dogma. I did not agree with him. For me it was like a light coming on, and the different perspectives were finally made clear.
From that point onward I knew that Roman Catholicism was biblically bankrupt and relying on the teachings of men. When I left the Roman Catholic Church I was declared to be anathema or accursed. But I saw in Scripture (Gal. 1:9) that anyone who preaches any other Gospel is accursed. I saw that there is only one mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5). Neither Mary nor any other saint may intercede between God and man. My faith is built on the Rock (Mt. 16:18) (Petra) Christ not the Petros who is Peter. As a Hierarchy, I saw from 1 Cor. 2: The natural man receiveth not the things of God. I saw from Jn. 17: That we need to be Sanctified (separate unto holiness). The Wheat and the tears will remain together until the end of the age, but like in Jn. 17, there will be those who are like Judas and the Pharisees, thinking they are close to Jesus but lost. He will one day say those terrible words, Depart from me ye workers of iniquity, I never know you. I say that we could not be unequally yoked (2 Cor. 6:14) claiming to worship with those who are fundamentally different in belief from ourselves. I saw the scriptures teaching (Jn. 14: 23) that for someone to claim that they love Jesus, they must keep his commands.
That obedience came to development when I met Lisa, who later became my wife. Every date we had, resulted in a barrage of theological questions directed at me. Expecting me to answer as a Roman Catholic, Lisa always went away confused for I answered from an orthodox Biblical perspective and not a Catholic one. God blessed our marriage with two wonderful sons, Ethan and Garret.
It was my background in the Canadian Military that shaped my acceptance of the concept of submission. In the military I had orders. That was the mission. I also had the obligation to obey every lawful order. I was "under" orders, that was the "sub" in submission. Submission explains salvation (Phil. 2:9-11), the roles in the home, from spouses to kids, our relation to others in the church, leadership, employers, and to how we relate to Government. The term therefore not only helps us understand our roles but our purposes and objectives.
As I continued to work in the “secular” workforce, it was frequently suggested to me to consider pastoral ministry. I found many excuses to avoid doing this but God continued to work through His saints and prayer for me to pursue this path. I began seminary and started teaching in my local church. The gifts and talents that God gave me for ministry have been confirmed from the people to whom I have ministered. God has given me the spiritual gifts of the ability to give wise advise (wisdom), faith, discernment (1 Cor. 12:8-10) teaching, helps (1 Cor. 12:28), encouragement, leadership (Rom. 12:1-8) evangelism and shepherding (Acts 20:18, Eph. 4:16, 1 Pt. 5:2). I cannot neglect the gifts with which he has blessed me with (1 Tim. 4:14) and cannot but speak and serve (Acts 4:20). I have recognized God's calling on my life for salvation (2 Cor. 13:5), service (Eph. 2:10), seeing confirmation from others (1 Tim. 4:14), by God (1 Cor. 16:8-9), gifting (Eph. 4:11-12) longing for ministry (1 Tim. 3:1) and acknowledgement of character (1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9).
Through the affirmation of others (Acts 13:3; 14:23; 1 Tim. 4:14) and fruit (Mt. 7:16-20) evident in their lives, I find great joy that God is using me to equip His saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12). Careful examination by myself and others continue to confirm the moral qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 for pastoral ministry. I have no greater desire that to glorify Him by being His instrument in pastoral ministry (1 Tim. 3:1).
Maranatha Baptist Church in Paris was the first place I received any systematic theological training. I made the public declaration of my belief on July 18, 1993 through baptism by immersion. When I went into the workforce after university, a workplace colleague suggested that I consider the Pastorate. I dismissed the notion considering my relative recent theological training and I regarded myself as having a poor memory. But the Holy Spirit continued to work in me and encouraged me and I continued in prayer and discussion on the matter. I entered Heritage Theological Seminary and began as the student pastor at Maranatha. I graduated Seminary in 1999.
I enjoyed teaching classes at Maranatha and after seminary accepted a position in a reformed congregation in Hamilton. I examined the statement of faith and falsely assumed the congregation believed their own written statement of faith. I soon found that the leadership of the congregation did not hold the Bible as their final authority and I was told not to use it so much in ministry. I was told what passage to preach from, how long to preach, what to teach through the week, how to worship and how to officiate the Lord's Table and refrain from any church discipline. Showing the true authority, one woman held up a prayer book and said that “this is our bible”. Even with such restriction put late in the game I remained faithful to the Word of God and even though I was told what to preach, I used those texts to preach the doctrine contained there in. I became so offensive that one day I received a letter in the mail not to return. No hearing, no face-to-face accusation and no charges.
Seeing the importance of the need for Scripture to be regarded and used as the final authority to test all things of faith and practice, I accepted a call to be a resource consultant for Sola Scriptura in Guelph. I answered theological questions, developed Internet listings, organized office systems, searched out specific theological material from a confessional orthodox stance, met with pastors and ministry leaders, and conducted conferences on specific theological topics.
For the past 11 years, the privilege of being the Senior Pastor of Everton Community Church. This blessing has allowed me to preach through major sections of scripture, establish a deacon’s ministry, discipleship program including foundational training, personal assessment and evangelism training. It has been a joy to see the fruit of a vibrant outreach ministry involving community groups that reach out to non-Christians meeting in believers homes for a meal, short video and discussion. All in all, I believe God has called me to a broader, more multicultural ministry here at Safe Haven and I pray this can be a fruitful ministry where God will be glorified through us all.
Your servant in Christ;
Pastor Matthew Kratz
pastorkratz@rogers.com