Please pray for Dave Matthews’ health as he suffered a stroke mid-flight enroute to the U.S.
Dave Matthews, long-time Calvary Chapel missionary to the Philippines, teaches a Bible study in the Tagalog language to Philippine locals on the island of Sagurong. Dave is in urgent need of prayer. While flying to the U.S. for a visit, Dave suffered a stroke mid-flight, a likely result of a recently discovered hole in his heart. Once in the States, surgery was suggested as a possible procedure to fill the hole, but such a procedure is not always recommended at his age. His insurance also ends in less than two weeks, which seems too short a period to rush heart surgery. He won’t have other coverage for at least two months. Long-term effects of the stroke at this point are minor, but because it was caused by the hole in his heart, that still needs to be addressed.
After a lot of prayer and seeking the Lord, Dave is hoping to return to the Philippines on February 14. If his health allows him to wait for Medicare coverage to be confirmed, he believes he will be able to make better decisions regarding heart surgery, back surgery, or both back in the U.S. Though he won't be covered by insurance in the Philippines, should he require it, medical care there is a fraction of the cost in the U.S. and in Manila. “In that way I can more effectively serve God's purposes in His church there while still having backup health care if needed,” Dave says.
Please lift Dave up as he looks for the Lord’s direction on whether to fly back to the Philippines now, despite experiencing the stroke. Dave asked for prayer for these things specifically:
Full recovery from the stroke
Wisdom as to Dave’s next steps
God’s clear leading and protection for a hopeful return to the Philippines
Above all, a close relationship to God and fruitfulness in His work, even while he navigates the crazy health maze
Empowering for those handling the ministry in the Philippines both in the island churches (San Miguel and Cagraray Islands) and in Legazpi City
Photo by Tom Price is taken from Issue 4 of Calvary Chapel Magazine.
© 2026 Calvary Chapel Magazine (CCM). All rights reserved. Articles or photographs may not be reproduced without the written permission of CCM. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.® Used by permission.