Singing and playing the piano from an early age has led Lesley into her passion of worship leading and solo work. In November 2004 Lesley had the privilege of attending Dr Ron Kenoly’s ‘Academy of Praise’ in Florida. It was an amazing experience to be mentored and taught by a long-time singer and worshiper.
March 2005 brought opportunity to return to America – this time to the east coast: New York, New Jersey, Georgia and South Carolina. In New Jersey and Georgia, she played and led worship. The gift of prophetic song blessed the churches and brought messages of hope and encouragement.
Laos was the destination in March 2008 where Lesley spoke and sang at a conference for young university-age women. These young women have hearts that truly seek after God. They desire to see change in their nation and are willing to take steps to make a difference for Christ wherever and whenever they can. They face opposition to their faith every day but are determined to be obedient to the call of Christ on their lives and step out to bring the unsaved into the kingdom of God.
In June 2009, Lesley joined a missions trip to Ukraine led by Pastor Deb Van Bennekom of Springfield Christian Family Church.In Kiev she led the worship in English while the congregation sang in Ukrainian. There was such a joining of spirit despite the cross-cultural diversity. Lesley sang a worship song in Ukrainian at all the churches she visited. The people were blessed to join with an Australian singing in their language. She spoke at the women’s Conference in Lugansk and had the privilege of joining the worship team there as she co-led worship in English.Travelling further south, she visited more churches and brought encouragement to women through prayer and song. In Krasnogorovka, she met with the worship team and conducted a worship seminar. Ideas and songs were exchanged and it was a truly rich time for all in attendance.This trip heightened the awareness of how much we, in such a rich nation as Australia, can bless women in less fortunate circumstances. The message of the gospel continues to encourage, lift and bless as women from east and west are joined as one.
ISRAEL, the promised land, a tour led by Ian & Mandy Worby ofUnited Christian Broadcasters in October 2010 was a dream come true for Lesley as she had opportunity to lead worship in strategic places such as The Garden Tomb; Caesarea Phillipi; the Lambing Cave in Bethlehem; the extraordinary Church of St. Anne which is a beautiful 12th-century Crusader church. (Saint Anne's acoustics, designed for Gregorian chant, are so perfect that the church is virtually a musical instrument to be played by the human voice). To sail on the Sea of Galilee, float in the Dead Sea, visit Masada and walk the steps of the Via Dolorosa are experiences that bring the Bible alive and the presence of God so real. This was an privileged experience.
Since 2008, Lesley Mathews has been the Worship Co-ordinator for Rose of Sharon Women’s Ministry team which is based in Caloundra. This has been an extremely fulfilling and uplifting role within this unique and specialized ministry to women. Facilitated by Jessica Alcorn, many women’s lives have been touched and renewed through inspired worship and strong Bible-based ministry and teaching. The Vision and Purpose for the Rose of Sharon Ministry can be found on their website http://roseofsharon.50webs.com
Early 2011 brought an invitation to be part of a National AustralianTeam to take the Walk to Emmaus (an ecumenical movement) to Lautoka, Fiji as the Music Director. God joined women across the Pacific to bring praise and honor through cross-cultures and a united love for Him. To lead worship and to be joined with such amazing Fijian harmonies was a truly humbling and uplifting experience.
Lesley worships at Christian Community Church Rochedale; a small 'test' campus for the 1 church in multiple locations model of Christian Community Church on the Gold Coast. She has a heart for women in difficult circumstances not only in other countries but in her own backyard of Brisbane, Australia.
March 2005 brought opportunity to return to America – this time to the east coast: New York, New Jersey, Georgia and South Carolina. In New Jersey and Georgia, she played and led worship. The gift of prophetic song blessed the churches and brought messages of hope and encouragement.
Laos was the destination in March 2008 where Lesley spoke and sang at a conference for young university-age women. These young women have hearts that truly seek after God. They desire to see change in their nation and are willing to take steps to make a difference for Christ wherever and whenever they can. They face opposition to their faith every day but are determined to be obedient to the call of Christ on their lives and step out to bring the unsaved into the kingdom of God.
In June 2009, Lesley joined a missions trip to Ukraine led by Pastor Deb Van Bennekom of Springfield Christian Family Church.In Kiev she led the worship in English while the congregation sang in Ukrainian. There was such a joining of spirit despite the cross-cultural diversity. Lesley sang a worship song in Ukrainian at all the churches she visited. The people were blessed to join with an Australian singing in their language. She spoke at the women’s Conference in Lugansk and had the privilege of joining the worship team there as she co-led worship in English.Travelling further south, she visited more churches and brought encouragement to women through prayer and song. In Krasnogorovka, she met with the worship team and conducted a worship seminar. Ideas and songs were exchanged and it was a truly rich time for all in attendance.This trip heightened the awareness of how much we, in such a rich nation as Australia, can bless women in less fortunate circumstances. The message of the gospel continues to encourage, lift and bless as women from east and west are joined as one.
ISRAEL, the promised land, a tour led by Ian & Mandy Worby ofUnited Christian Broadcasters in October 2010 was a dream come true for Lesley as she had opportunity to lead worship in strategic places such as The Garden Tomb; Caesarea Phillipi; the Lambing Cave in Bethlehem; the extraordinary Church of St. Anne which is a beautiful 12th-century Crusader church. (Saint Anne's acoustics, designed for Gregorian chant, are so perfect that the church is virtually a musical instrument to be played by the human voice). To sail on the Sea of Galilee, float in the Dead Sea, visit Masada and walk the steps of the Via Dolorosa are experiences that bring the Bible alive and the presence of God so real. This was an privileged experience.
Since 2008, Lesley Mathews has been the Worship Co-ordinator for Rose of Sharon Women’s Ministry team which is based in Caloundra. This has been an extremely fulfilling and uplifting role within this unique and specialized ministry to women. Facilitated by Jessica Alcorn, many women’s lives have been touched and renewed through inspired worship and strong Bible-based ministry and teaching. The Vision and Purpose for the Rose of Sharon Ministry can be found on their website http://roseofsharon.50webs.com
Early 2011 brought an invitation to be part of a National AustralianTeam to take the Walk to Emmaus (an ecumenical movement) to Lautoka, Fiji as the Music Director. God joined women across the Pacific to bring praise and honor through cross-cultures and a united love for Him. To lead worship and to be joined with such amazing Fijian harmonies was a truly humbling and uplifting experience.
Lesley worships at Christian Community Church Rochedale; a small 'test' campus for the 1 church in multiple locations model of Christian Community Church on the Gold Coast. She has a heart for women in difficult circumstances not only in other countries but in her own backyard of Brisbane, Australia.