The Rev. Bob Matthews assumed responsibilities as Hillcrest's Associate Minister in January 2008.  In his youth he was called to a ministry of healing at the age of sixteen.  In 1969 he completed an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and psychology at Syracuse University in preparation for seminary.  He earned the Master of Divinity degree from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley California in 1973.

The Rev. Matthews began a long and distinguished career in social services and health care in 1973 with the Alameda County Welfare Department.  He served in the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency from 1976 until his retirement from County service in 2003.  During those years, he served as program director of alcohol and other drug recovery programs, as community liaison and contract manager with non-profit groups and as Deputy Director of the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.  Bob also created the Faith and Health Partnership Project in the Alameda County Public Health Department, at the time the only such project in any public health department in the country. 

God tapped him on the shoulder once again in the late 1980's, reminding him of his call to congregation-based ministry.  The Rev. Matthews was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1991.  He served as Associate Minister at First Congregational Church, Oakland for four years in addition to his work in health and social services. 

Following his retirement from County service Bob was selected as the founder and first Projector Director of the Community Healing Network (CHN) in Hayward, CA.  At that time he was called into a four-way covenant through Plymouth United Church of Christ in Oakland.  The CHN is the first local faith and health partnership project implemented as part of the national Strong Partners Initiative of the Interfaith Health Program at Emory University in Atlanta, GA.  Bob has also served as Program Coordinator of the South Hayward Parish, a consortium of eight congregations dedicated to creating a compassionate, just and healthy community through provision of emergency services, community spiritual development and public health advocacy.

Bob served the Hillcrest congregation as Minister for Pastoral Care for a year immediately prior to his call as our Associate Minister.  Rev. Matthews brings to us a solid background in health, social services and divinity studies as well as a clear understanding of the psychological complexities of living as a Christian in today's world.