Gordon Green, GCI regional pastor and pastoral developer in South Africa, played lead guitar in a rock band in the 1960s. However, music wasn’t the only interest in his early years. “When I was young (much younger!) I played a lot of sport – especially rugby. Today I enjoy following rugby and cricket. ”
Gordon grew up in Durban, South Africa and his wife Marilys grew up in Mauritius. They recently celebrated 36 years of marriage. Their son Nick and his wife Louise, who live in Durban, have two children, Jessica (4) and Zachariah (4 months). Their daughter Carrie-Anne and her husband Clay, who live in Healdsburg, California, have two sons, Brady (5) and Davis (3), with a girl on the way! Clay is a wine maker—they have a winery in Sonoma Valley (Mauritson Wines). Gordon and Marilys’ youngest son Warren, who is single, is a graphic designer in Durban.
Gordon has been a part of WCG/GCI for many years. “I first heard of WCG and the Plain Truth magazine in 1968 from a friend. He asked a WCG minister to visit him. He was invited to attend – I went along with him, even though I wasn’t officially invited – and got into a bit of trouble for that! I was specifically interested in prophecy at that time.”
In 1983 Gordon left South Africa to attend Ambassador College in Pasadena. “I was a married student with two small children.” After graduation in 1987, he worked as a ministerial trainee in Glendora, California under Dennis Wheatcroft. In 1988, he returned to South Africa and was ordained that year. Gordon has pastored GCI congregations in Bloemfontein, Johannesburg and Durban.
Gordon is now GCI’s pastoral developer in South Africa and also serves as a regional pastor. He is a also a certified Walk Thru the Bible instructor. When asked what he enjoys most about these roles, Gordon said, “Most of all, I enjoy teaching—specifically participating with God to enlighten the listener’s minds. I love helping people get excited about the love of God, watching them respond and growing in faith and bearing fruit in their lives.” Just last month, Gordon coordinated and taught South African Ministries Training Program classes to potential leaders and pastors. He and Marilys have also been heavily involved in SEP since 1992 and enjoy working with the youth.
When asked what he enjoys most about being part of GCI, Gordon said, “The amazing journey (into God’s heart) that God has taken us on and continues to take us on – enjoying it and encouraging others to enjoy and learn from it as well.” His journey has been full of opportunities. He has worked at SEP camps, taught around South Africa, Mauritius and Zimbabwe, served as a regional pastor, is the presenter on the GCI Face to Face radio program and one of the writers for the GCI South African magazine Face to Face. He also plays in his congregation’s praise band. Gordon feels blessed because these things express his passions for family, teaching, learning, reading and travelling.
His most memorable moment as a pastor was baptizing his son, Nick. Following that, Gordon’s ministerial highlights include attending the International Conferences in Palm Springs and Orlando.
Gordon has had an amazing journey with GCI—and is especially excited about the direction in which God is taking GCI in Trinitarian theology—“the past five years have been the most exciting, enlightening and fulfilling years of my life in the church.” When does he feel closest to God? “When I stop talking to God, get quiet and listen to him.”
