Ken Matey—Our Honorary W. S. I.

This page goes deeper into why Reflective Routes sees Pastor Ken Matey as our honorary head W.S.I.—a trusted guide who leads from experience, humility, and steady faith.

The structure of the 1970s Red Cross Learn to Swim program, with its clear function and chain of command, offers the example used to show why learners can trust the teacher who leads them.

A still moment at the pool where clarity, structure, and calm guidance begin.

During the 1970s, in a small Colorado community, the Red Cross Learn to Swim program was overseen by the head W.S.I.

At our pool, the W.S.I. served directly under the pool manager and held the same standing in the chain of command as the assistant manager. W.S.I.s can also carry the training and qualifications needed for management‑level responsibility.

Becoming a W.S.I. (Water Safety Instructor)—let alone the head of a community’s Learn to Swim program—requires extensive training.

Setting up before lessons

Our local program covered the Learn to Swim classes, pool‑oriented water safety, and basic, plausible emergencies in and around a pool setting. Students received this training at Station 6—a pre‑lifeguard level in the 1970s.

At Sation 6, our head W.S.I. also taught basic first aid and the kinds of water‑related emergencies connected to natural bodies of water and the terrain unique to our area in Colorado.

In the eyes of Reflective Routes, Ken receives the title of Honorary W.S.I. because of the training the Godhead placed upon his heart and in his life from a very young age—from birth, in fact, as his dad is also a pastor.

As we study with Ken, we learn this from him directly, as he shares snippets of his lived experiences and childhood memories whenever they naturally fit the moment.

Some might assume Ken simply followed what was familiar—that he watched his dad, found it easy (so to say), and chose ministry because it was the path in front of him.

Yes and no.

Ken was born into a family that shaped his heart—we all were, believe it or not—toward the type and character of pastor he would become. Those early influences helped prepare him for the hermeneutic approach and preterist message he now teaches.

Ken has expressed that he once imagined teaching as a professor. His overall experiences place him in the world of teaching he now inhabits—as a professor for the Lord.

Yes, Ken followed his dad—but what he teaches comes from Our Father, through the work of Jesus, and overseen by the Holy Spirit.

In the right context, Ken followed both his dad and his Father—the Godhead, the True W.S.I., just as Christ is True Grace.

The student, supported by a noodle, is learning "stamina", gaining deep end confidence, and getting use to swimming laps.

Within the chain of command, as mentioned above, a W.S.I. could have three bosses, officially speaking—two for sure.

The main boss is the pool manager, followed by the assistant manager (unless the head W.S.I. is the assistant manager.) The next boss is also the manager's supervisor, found within the Community Recreational Offices. 

Just as the poolside chain of command keeps the program safe and orderly, Ken’s spiritual chain of command shapes how he leads here at Reflective Routes.

At the pool, the head W.S.I. has W.S.I.'s to manage as well as the teacher's aides. Swimming lessons are taught at stations. Each station is made up of the skills a student is to learn—age is not a factor.

Ken, as our head W.S.I., follows Jesus—who, according to John 5:19, follows Abba with complete trust and commitment: “The Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing.”

A young swimmer focusing on form while learning in a structured, supportive setting.