Analysis of Bill Matthews' first fraudulent filing

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Witness For God

Edward G. Palmer
Otsego, MN

As a business man with 28 years of experience running small corporations, I bear direct witness to
the fraud that Mr. William N. Matthews has perpetrated upon God's church. I deal with Articles
and By-Laws on a regular basis and I know the fraud that Mr. Matthews has wrought. However,
there is an interesting story of God's call on my life to be HIS witness to these events. The story
starts back in 1992 before Mr. Matthews came to Solid Rock Church which was then called the Elk
River Assembly of God Church.
God had been urging me to go to this Pentecostal church. My wife had some grave reservations
about the church. The previous minister left in disgrace after having been caught in several sexual
affairs with the women of the church. Nevertheless, for a period of about 2-3 years I resisted this
call from God. Then, in 1992, I gave in and started attending the church. I liked it. A few weeks
later, in mid 1992, God had told me to tell the temporary pastor that the church needed to change
its name.
I still remember talking to God while shaving. "Lord, why should I be the one to tell the minister
this? I am only visiting this church. I'm not even a member."Of course, this went on for about
three weeks before I just said okay. That's one of the ways I know its coming from the Lord and
that it's not just some figment of my own imagination. Figments of imagination disappear after a
few days. The Lord never lets you forget!
I remember distinctly meeting with the minister in the front pew after a service. The conversation
went something like this. "I don't really know why I am here to tell you this. However, the Lord
has asked me to give you this information. Do with it as you please."I then proceeded to tell him
that the church needed to change its name to appeal to a broader area. Elk River sits at the junction
of four counties and several cities. A better name was needed. I hadn't been given any name so I
just left him with the message. I remember feeling better since I had finally done what God had
wanted me to do.
Mr. Matthews was voted Senior Pastor in September of 1992. Wow, nearly six years has passed.
By now, brother Bill must think he really has things consolidated. Bill had taken over. At the
time, I was thinking that I liked the direction the church was going. So, I signed up for
membership classes with Bill in the Spring of 1993. I hadn't made up my mind yet but I was
feeling that I needed to be there for some reason I couldn't explain. Then, the opportunity came to
attend the business meeting to vote on the name change. No other notice of any changes to the
Articles was provided the congregation. And, in retrospect, I am astonished at the massive
changes that Mr. Matthews got away with. Surely the church leadership had fallen asleep.
I decided to attend the meeting and sat all the way in the back near a door. For easy escape, if
needed. The debate was getting intense. Many did not want to give up the Assembly of God
appendage to the name and felt the change was not needed. Everyone was given an opportunity to
speak. Bill was calling out to find out if there were any last speakers when suddenly ...


	Witness For God
		Edward G. Palmer Otsego, MN
As a business man with 28 years of experience running small corporations, I bear direct witness to the fraud that Mr. William N. Matthews has perpetrated upon God's church. I deal with Articles and By-Laws on a regular basis and I know the fraud that Mr. Matthews has wrought. However, there is an interesting story of God's call on my life to be HIS witness to these events. The story starts back in 1992 before Mr. Matthews came to Solid Rock Church which was then called the Elk River Assembly of God Church. God had been urging me to go to this Pentecostal church. My wife had some grave reservations about the church. The previous minister left in disgrace after having been caught in several sexual affairs with the women of the church. Nevertheless, for a period of about 2-3 years I resisted this call from God. Then, in 1992, I gave in and started attending the church. I liked it. A few weeks later, in mid 1992, God had told me to tell the temporary pastor that the church needed to change its name. I still remember talking to God while shaving. "Lord, why should I be the one to tell the minister this? I am only visiting this church. I'm not even a member."Of course, this went on for about three weeks before I just said okay. That's one of the ways I know its coming from the Lord and that it's not just some figment of my own imagination. Figments of imagination disappear after a few days. The Lord never lets you forget! I remember distinctly meeting with the minister in the front pew after a service. The conversation went something like this. "I don't really know why I am here to tell you this. However, the Lord has asked me to give you this information. Do with it as you please."I then proceeded to tell him that the church needed to change its name to appeal to a broader area. Elk River sits at the junction of four counties and several cities. A better name was needed. I hadn't been given any name so I just left him with the message. I remember feeling better since I had finally done what God had wanted me to do. Mr. Matthews was voted Senior Pastor in September of 1992. Wow, nearly six years has passed. By now, brother Bill must think he really has things consolidated. Bill had taken over. At the time, I was thinking that I liked the direction the church was going. So, I signed up for membership classes with Bill in the Spring of 1993. I hadn't made up my mind yet but I was feeling that I needed to be there for some reason I couldn't explain. Then, the opportunity came to attend the business meeting to vote on the name change. No other notice of any changes to the Articles was provided the congregation. And, in retrospect, I am astonished at the massive changes that Mr. Matthews got away with. Surely the church leadership had fallen asleep. I decided to attend the meeting and sat all the way in the back near a door. For easy escape, if needed. The debate was getting intense. Many did not want to give up the Assembly of God appendage to the name and felt the change was not needed. Everyone was given an opportunity to speak. Bill was calling out to find out if there were any last speakers when suddenly ...