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Elder Willie E. Gordon
Willie Eugene Gordon, the eleventh child of El and Mariah Wilson
Gordon, was born June 17, 1914, in Selma, Alabama.
El Gordon was saved from his sins in the early 1900s. He lived a life
dedicated to God and in a short period of time, his wife Mariah also came to
know God as her personal Savior. Elder El Gordon was a faithful evangelist,
often leaving the family to go on missionary journeys without the necessary
financial means to fulfill the journey. He trusted God, for he felt if God sent
him,
he would supply his needs. There were times he left home
walking or had one
of his sons
to drive him to the train station. He would meet someone in need of
God’s help – whether physically or spiritually. He would give to them what
God
laid on his heart and pray for them. In turn, God would have that
person to give
him finances, thus enabling him to go on his way. God
supplied his need. Elder
El Gordon experienced some difficult times after being saved, often
persecuted,
being incarcerated, spat on and scorned, but he was
determined to live for God
and bring his children up in the fear of God. He
and his wife drove deep spiritual
stakes into their children, realizing that
God had given them this family to be raised
to know that God died for their
sins and that they must repent or be lost. His life had
a great impact on his offspring, especially young Willie.
Schooling was a
must, but because of having to work the farm, there were many
missed
days of school. Thus, Willie only received a limited academic
education.
During the end of the 1930’s, young Willie, made Chicago his home, where he
met and fell in love with Inez Buycks, a lovely and
mature young lady. They were
married in 1939 and Inez proved to be a
loving and devoted wife. Willie would often
tell her of God’s plan of
salvation for the soul and healing for the body which his
parents had
instilled in him. In 1941, Inez became very ill. It was during this time that she
thought of all her husband had told her, repented of her sins and was immediately healed.
Inez, not being taught the way of the Lord by her
parents, was saved before her husband
and on October 12, 1941, Willie
repented of his sins, giving his life to the Lord, putting on
the belt of victory,
a testimony that he wore until his death.
Bro. Gordon and Sis. Inez worshipped with the Church of God, then located at 39th & Prairie under the leadership of the late Elder Thomas and later
the Late Elder Curtis Barge. God was using Bro. Gordon in such a way
that he was made president of the choir. His motto became – “If I cannot be
real for God, I won’t be anything!”
Bro. Gordon’s life was true and dedicated to God and in November 1946
he received his call to the Ministry. He never wanted to be a preacher; only a good spiritual brother in the Lord. As a confirmation of his calling to the
ministry, God gave him Isaiah 61:1, "The spirit of the Lord God is upon me;
because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;
He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the
captives; and the openings of the prison to them that are bound." Bro. Gordon
accepted God’s call to preach the word and began to have Bible classes in his home. He was instrumental in beginning a work in the Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium, praying for the patients, telling them of the love of God. God worked in a marvelous way. Some of the patients were saved, healed and discharged from the hospital, declaring what God had done for them through the prayers and life of Elder Willie E. Gordon.
One Sunday morning, while in the pulpit, Bro. Gordon’s father, El was
exhorting the Saints to live right, and if not, they "should just take their
Bibles and song books and go home" –God called him to glory! He had lived
a godly life before all, the example had been lived!
As souls were saved, Bro. Gordon saw a need to find a larger location for
the Saints of God. He rented a store front at 4219 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. He was greatly criticized for this move and received no support from the local ministers. He was used of God in such a way that the store front had to be enlarged several times due to the power of God in saving of souls. The opposers were forced to concede that God was truly with Bro. Gordon.
Elder Gordon then received a call from God to go to Memphis, Tennessee, to
work with a small group of Saints there. Starting in 1953, he traveled to
Memphis twice a month to minister unto God’s people. This handful of Saints
grew from eight to approximately 75. Meanwhile, the congregation in Chicago
had grown to such an extent that
another place of worship was needed. There
was no other way to
expand the present location at “4219” as it was fondly called. In 1960, property on the corner of 46th & Drexel was purchased. Thus, 4601
S. Drexel
Blvd, Chicago, became the new Church Home! Souls were added
to the Church,
bodies were being healed, and God raised many ministers among the congregation.
During the 1960’s, Elder Gordon, was privileged to serve as Chaplain in the House of Corrections, 26th & California in Chicago. This appointment led to an expanded ministry and he led the Saints of God to serve in the jail ministry, where the souls of the inmates were given the word of God.
In 1966, Elder Gordon saw the need of making another move and the old structure was torn down and a new building was erected. The new building was completed in 1968 at a price of $175,000 and was paid for in seven years and five months.
Elder Gordon felt the leading of God to start a radio ministry and in 1971, “Gospel Time” was broadcast over radio station WYCA 92 FM. This broadcast was blessed of God and many souls were enriched because of the word of God being delivered to them over the air. The Broadcast is still being aired today over Radio Station WYLL 1160 AM, on Sunday evenings 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Through the years, Pastor Gordon taught the Saints to trust God for everything. He often referred to his father’s gift of healing and faith as great influences in his life. In April 1976, Pastor Gordon was diagnosed with acute peritonitis, a grave and life-threatening condition. Despite the doctor’s dire alternatives – surgery or death, Pastor Gordon simply said, “I’ll trust God”. The doctor predicted that he would be a dead man in two days. Pastor Gordon later testified that the doctor was right! In two days, he “went out”! Where? He did not know; but it was “so peaceful”. On the third day, God “locked death’s door” and brought Pastor Gordon back to the saints without surgery or any after effects! He would often say that this affliction was for the Church’s sake. During his illness, God comforted his heart with these words: "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." II Corinthians 1: 3-4. He returned to the doctor after his healing! The doctor was amazed and could only say to him that he was a “lucky man”.
God saw fit to take from this earth, his beloved help meet, Inez, on July 10, 1982. Her last words to Elder Gordon were “Stand up Gordy”, which inspired him for the rest of his life. Elder Gordon stood. He had many tests and trials during his lifetime but because he “stood up” for God, he was delivered from each one of them. He often quoted the verse, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD."
Elder Gordon was united in holy matrimony to Sister Edna Collins of New Jersey on March 17, 1990. She was a great encouragement to Pastor Gordon and worked with him faithfully until her death in August 1994. While Pastor Gordon did not understand the working of God in taking Sis. Edna, his words were “Not my will, but Thine be done”.
Down through the years, Pastor Gordon faced great opposition from others. His strict adherence to the Word of God and the Bible doctrines of holiness and divine healing, coupled with his vehement stand against compromise and false religion, did not make him popular in some quarters. Only those who were willing to surrender all to Jesus, live a life free from sin and "earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the Saints", were attracted to Pastor Gordon’s ministry. Thanks be unto God who raised up a ministry under Elder Gordon’s pastorate. God gave him dedicated, consecrated men and women to help in the work of the Church. Among them was Elder George Dugger, who faithfully served as Assistant Pastor. Beginning early in the ministry of Elder Gordon, God called and qualified many powerful preachers who have ‘held up Pastor Gordon’s hands and diligently discharged their duties in the fear of God. From this group, God has sent out Pastors who faithfully preach the Gospel throughout the United States.
Elder Gordon’s words will remain with us indefinitely. His favorites were “As a dog is after rabbits, I am after the souls of men”; “schools make doctors, lawyers and teachers, but it takes God to make a preacher”; “souls, we are not on our way to a convention or a camp meeting, we are on our way to the judgment”; “whenever I see souls, I am ready to preach”. He loved the souls of men!
After an affliction which caused him to lose most of his sight, Elder Gordon relinquished many of his responsibilities to the hands of the Ministerial Staff of the local Church of God congregation. Even so, he would often introduce the speaker for the “Gospel Time” broadcast. Many times, these introductions would lead to powerful sermonettes that blessed the souls of men. His commitment to church was continued until he finished his course. He wore his “Belt of Victory” until he went to meet Jesus on July 6, 1997. |
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