MALCOLM AND HAZEL GORDON CELEBRATE 60 YEARS OF MARRIAGE

by Gladys Neigel
Former Florida Conference President Malcolm Gordon and former First Lady Hazel Gordon celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 10, 2014. Hazel grew up with the wish to be a minister’s wife. During a youth evangelistic effort, she became engaged to Malcolm who knew early in his life that he wanted to be a minister. In 1954, they married in Hazel’s home town of Allegan, Michigan.
After graduating from Emmanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University) in Berrien Springs, Mich., Malcolm and Hazel began the daunting task of reopening a church in Calumet, Mich. From this assignment in the Upper Peninsula, he would pastor churches in North Dakota which led to departmental responsibilities including conference evangelist, education director, and youth director.
Accepting a call to Southern New England Conference, Malcolm served as director of youth, ministerial, temperance, and religious liberty. He then served three years in Carolina Conference as executive secretary and ministerial secretary.
Whether at home or in his work, Malcolm lived by the motto, “What would Jesus do?” He adopted this maxim as an expression of his guiding principle that propelled him into leadership as Carolina Conference president, Florida Conference president, and, ultimately, Southern Union Conference president. In retirement, he has continued to be an ambassador for His Lord wherever he is needed.
Not only did Hazel stand by Malcolm’s side, but she had a burning desire for the women of the Church and served as Florida Conference Women’s Ministries Director. “We want to reach others and use our God-given talents and gifts for the furtherance of His Kingdom, both in supportive and in leadership roles,” stated Hazel in 1989 as she and her team began preparations for the first Florida Women’s Ministries retreat.
Upon retirement in 2003, the Gordons settled in the Apopka, Fla., home they bought a year earlier. They resided here until February 2014 when they moved out of state; however, they continue to hold their membership at Kress Memorial Church in Winter Park. They now live in New Jersey with their daughter, Merrilee (George) Miller, and are also near their daughter, Melodee Oster. The Gordons have three grandchildren.