Earlier today I received an e-mail from my good friend Ed Decker who delivered the sad news of the passing of a giant in the field of missionary works – Pat Matrisciana.
His work is part of the reason I’m a Christian today. If you’ve not heard of him, you probably know his work. The Godmakers. He was the founder of Jeremiah Films. Here’s part of Ed’s email telling me of the news –
Before I say another word, I want you to know that my close personal friend and 40 plus years long ministry buddy, Pat Matrisciana, passed away after having a major stroke this last Sunday. He was at rest in Hospice and slipped into heaven. His beloved wife, Marilyn was at his side to witness his home-going.
Pat became a zealot for Jesus back in the 1960s in the Berkeley / Jesus Movement and never looked back. He was many things including the filmmaker who produced the God Makers and our other movies. Those alone have reached millions of people.
With his dozens of films and his expansive work among so many ministries, I would not be far off to say that Pat Matrisciana has opened the door to salvation for hundreds of thousands of people.
I met Pat in 1976 when he was filming the movie, The Cult Explosion. It was there that I met Dave Hunt. It was through Pat that Dave and I joined together and wrote the God Makers, and Pat brought it to film. The rest is history. Pat founded Jeremiah Films and their reach was international and still is.
Just the 7-minute animation section of the God Makers that portrayed the LDS Law of Eternal Progression went viral years ago. At least 10 years ago, I went to the major Video platforms on the web and counted millions of views. Think of that! Now the newer numbers are far below those earlier ones, but here it is, one among many postings of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuO2Ov_D08c
Please go to Marilyn Matrisciana’s Facebook Page and read her own beautiful comments about her dear husband. I suggest a memorial gift in his name to your favorite charity or ministry or to one that will hopefully be posted on her site.
I now need two hands and some toes to count the mighty men and women of God who were my zealous, wonderful friends in the ministry who have gone ahead to glory and left me still here. I often wonder why. This I do know. I have the same zeal that I had the day the Lord called me to reach the lost. Like Pat, I never looked back.
I thank God for my wife, Carol, who has stood by me for all these years and my children who love and serve God.
Thanks to Ed for his tireless work, and the same for Pat and his wife. Our hearts and prayers go to Marilyn and the family.
Also, for updates on Saints Alive and Ed, go to Saintsalive.com!
With Love in Christ;
Michelle
Very saddened to hear this about Pat passing away. It’s actually wonderful, though, that God called him home after a lifetime of service. He was untiringly committed to spreading the truth.
Yeah, I was sad to hear the news as well. Ed e-mailed me last week asking to pray for Pat & Marilyn the day of his stroke. Each time I think of him, I remember my adverse reaction to seeing the God Makers the first time. It was ugly. 🙁 Praising sweet Jesus today for the stamina he, Ed, Dave Hunt and others had in going thru with God’s plans! So many good things have come from his tireless work, and those like him!
We met Pat in 2007 and he brought us back to Jesus in the most radical, tranformative way that is truly very personal, outside the conventional church. We miss him. We visit the small snow mountain community of Idyllwild CA to reminisce the heartfelt prayers and devotions we had together in that small town each year. He was God’s true servant. He will always be in our hearts until we meet again.
Your story is a great reminder of how great our God is. His Omniscient power is breathtaking when we see how He’s always working through people!
God bless you!
Michelle