Dr. Ronnie J. Mathis, born 10 of 11 children, to proud parents of the late Lawrence and Lessie Mathis of Pinehurst Georgia. Dr. Mathis was licensed to preach the Gospel in February 1970 at Forest Chapel Baptist Church.

Married to the former Ms. Bettye J. Williams of Pearson Georgia. They have 5 children and beautiful grandchildren.

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Dr. Mathis knew at age 7, he was called of God into the ministry.  Dr. Mathis was born in Macon County, Georgia.  He was educated in the Dooly County Public School System; he received his formal studies at the University of Tennessee, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science.  His further academic achievements include a Diploma in Theology from Turner Theological Seminary-Macon, Georgia, Master Degree from Gulf Coast Seminary in Panama City, Florida majoring in Church Administration, and a Doctorate in Divinity majoring in Theology from Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse School of Religion in Atlanta, Georgia.

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This year of 2022, Dr. Mathis celebrates 52 years of preaching and teaching the gospel. During those years, he was called to engage in various mission’s work in the community.   Later he diversified into such areas as highway safety education, as Regional Director for the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety appointed by Former Governor Roy Barnes. Dr. Mathis distributed over 800 car and booster seats to needy families in the public schools of Clyattville Elementary and Pinevale/Lomax Elementary in one year.  Dr. Mathis went on to organize the Greater Lowndes Coalition of Highway Safety. He serves as Executive Director to the Board of Advisors.

 

Dr. Mathis is the recipient of numerous local and state awards and public recognition.  Dr. Mathis’ civilian awards include the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Community Partnership Award.  Also, he has been featured in the National U.S.A. Today newspaper and the Tom Joiner National Radio Talk Show.  In addition to his highway safety education programs, youth community service outreach programs have been featured in the Valdosta Daily Times newspaper and local and state major television news networks.  His highway safety education and youth community outreach service programs receive unwavering leadership and community support from several public and private schools, area colleges, judicial, law enforcement, and government highway safety agencies throughout the United States. In March of 2016, Pastor Mathis and Crossing Jordan Baptist Church were featured on TBN in Atlanta Georgia.

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Dr. Mathis serves on various community boards: President of Valdosta Area Ministerial Association, Certified Georgia Association of Law Enforcement Chaplains, International Federation of Christian Chaplains, Echad Inc., Chaplin, L.A.C.C, Executive Director South Georgia Coalition To End Homeless, Executive Director of Senior Volunteer Connection, Director Of Greater Lowndes Coalition of Highway Safety; and he also served on the South Georgia Medical Center Institution Review Board and the Weed & Seed Board of Advisors, Jimmy Carter Work Project 2003-Registration Committee, National Habitat for Humanities, City of Valdosta Community Development Department Key We Housing Coalition, L.A.M.P, and CUEE Board Member.

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Dr. Mathis is a servant of God, husband, father, grandfather, and friend of the community.