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“Death has been swallowed up in victory!” ~1 Cor. 15:54

Matthew Michael Kantrowitz died Wednesday, December 8, after a long illness and went to be with the Lord that he loved. Matt has gone to a place where there are no more tears or sorrow or crying or pain for the Lamb who sits on the throne makes everything new.

In his time on earth, Matt dedicated his life to ministering to the prisoners of Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. By grace the Lord blessed Matt with a love for those men so he was able to proclaim the gospel to them. He was supported by churches and individuals throughout New England.

Matt leaves behind his dearly beloved wife, Christine, but only for a short while. He also leaves behind a daughter, Jessica, and a son, David, and brother, Jonathan and sister, Deborah. He is predeceased by his parents Ralph and Beatrice Kantrowitz.

If you have a memory or a wish for the family you’d like to share, please leave it here.

These are the words that Matt composed himself a few weeks before his death.

Matthew Michael Kantrowitz died Wednesday, December 8th and went to be with the Lord that he loved. The Bible promised him that he will spend the rest of time worshipping the Lord Jesus. “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive glory and honor and praise.” The great throngs of believers in heaven celebrate a great victory. They tell us that Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world and he is worthy because he died and with his blood he purchased men and women of every tribe and people and language. Matt has gone to a place where there are no more tears or sorrow or crying or pain for the Lamb who sits on the throne makes everything new.

In his time on earth, Matt dedicated his life to ministering to the prisoners of MA, ME, and NH. By grace the Lord blessed Matt with a love for those men so he was able to proclaim the gospel to them. And the Lord gave them ears to hear. In Matthew 25:34-40, Jesus said “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

The Lord stirred up the hearts of churches and individuals all over New England to support Matt and his prison ministry. He was grateful for them and the Board Members who helped him establish Isaiah 61 Ministries as a 501(c)(3).

Matt leaves behind his dearly beloved wife, but only for a short while. She was trained to be a counselor, but the greatest ministry in her life was being Matt’s caretaker during his long slow physical decline. Though his physical decline was slow, the Lord used his wife in powerful ways to help Matt grow spiritually and to see death as an opportunity for Christian growth.

His daughter Jessica, has been writing words of encouragement and comfort for the depressed and this too is a great gift of the Holy Spirit. Matt rejoiced to see the Spirit work in her. His son David is also a writer. He has published six books. His books are science fiction, but there is a morality and sense of right and wrong that pervades them. Matt always said that both his kids turned out to be writers because of all the times we read together when they were young.

If you have a memory or a wish for the family you’d like to share, please leave it here.