Reverend Matthew Alfred is no stranger to public service. His latest venture into serving Evangeline Parish, though, has put him in the history books because he was recently named as the parish’s first African-American jury commissioner.
“It means to me that barriers are being broken and people are looking beyond race,” he said. “They are looking for people who are willing to serve. I feel great about it, and it’s an honor. With all the racial tension that we have in our community and in the world, it is a great honor.”
As a member of the jury commission, Reverend Alfred is part of a committee that selects prospective jurors for petit juries, grand juries, and civil juries in the 13th Judicial District Court.
“We go through a list of names to make sure (the prospective jurors) qualify to serve on a jury.”
On being selected to serve on the commission, Reverend Alfred expressed, “I’m very excited about it. It’s a new adventure to be able to help serve the people and being involved in the community. I enjoy being involved, and I was grateful to be selected to serve as a jury commissioner.”
Reverend Alfred is also part of a group working to organize Visionaries Impacting People, which will provide mental services for young people ages 6 to 17.
“It’s an institution we started because we thought it was very needed in the Ville Platte area,” he said. “I see there is so much of a great need for our young people.”
“I think it’s going to be very beneficial to Evangeline Parish,” he continued. “We trust in God, and we believe God is going to do great work through us.”
Visionaries Impacting People will also serve as a mentoring program for youth of the parish. “There are a lot of kids who need to be mentored,” said Reverend Alfred.
The group will also provide after school tutoring services.
Everything Reverend Alfred does in service to others is based on his personal motto which comes from the chorus, “My living shall not be in vain. Then my living shall not be in vain. If I can help somebody, as I pass along. Then my living shall not be in vain.”
When he is not involved as a jury commissioner or with Visionaries Impacting People, Reverened Alfred serve as pastor of St. Joseph Baptist Church in Chataignier and Golden Baptist Church in Eunice. He recently shared how he continues to be a religious leader and what he does to help out the church.
Question: When did you become a pastor?
Answer: I became a pastor through the spiritual process of praying and fasting. The churches involved in this spiritual process obeyed the Lord and chose me as pastor on January 8, 1994, of St. Joseph Baptist Church of Chataignier and in 1996 of the Golden Baptist Church of Eunice. In 2013, I was elected to serve as Moderator for the Eastern Seventh Missionary Baptist Association.
Question: What made you decide to become a pastor?
Answer: First and for most, I have great love for God, and for His people. Secondly, pastoring is a gift that comes only for God. I always want to please God, and help people. Therefore, my acceptance of the calling to become a pastor was and is in obedience to God. This acceptance has allowed me to fulfill a passion of mine, helping people. It is His gift to the church. God gives pastors to His people according to His own heart. (Jer. 3:15)
Question: What do you get, spiritually, from being a leader at your churches? What do you enjoy about leading the congregation there?
Answer: As spiritual leader of my churches, I take the opportunity to increase my joy and knowledge through much studying of the Bible (God’s word), and become more Christ like. Through the knowledge the Holy Spirit imparts to me, God uses to change the lives of those in my spiritual care.
Question: What kind of impact do you try to impart on your congregations as their leader?
Answer: I try being a God fearing servant at all times. A leader who is filled with compassion for the congregations, community, and my country. I try to teach all to love one another as Christ loves us. As a leader, one must have a spirit of kindness and peace, humility and understanding, non-judgmental. By being a living example, my congregations and community can see the goodness of God, and identify with.
Question: What are some of the issues you see today among your congregations — what are people’s worries and concerns?
Answer: The greatest problem in all congregation is SIN. What I call sin: S- Satan’s, I –Influential, N- Nature. There is also a lack of commitment for the call and cause of Christ. Another issue is, there may be very little home studying of the Bible. This is essential to having a great relationship with God, because the Bible has the power to change lives. Therefore, many people have unstable relationships with God.
There are those whose flesh still fights with their faith and causes them to walk in fear.
The worries and concerns are: our disconnected and dysfunctional families, our children having guns in their hands and no God in their hearts, people have lost love ones because of COVID-19 and are still dealing with grief and sorrow. There is lack of trust in government that has divided our country.
Question: What are some of the ways you are addressing world issues with your congregation?
Answer: Preaching and teaching the word of God. Teaching the choice every being has of living a life that is pleasing unto God. The world issues can be resolved when we recognize who God is, the love He has for the people of the world He created, and the word He wants us to live by... The Bible.