Former pastor and director of missions, Gordon Harold Chandler Sr., died Aug. 29. He was 89.
He was a graduate of Auburn University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
He served as pastor of Pine Bower Baptist Church, Cedartown, Georgia (1955–57), and of Paden Baptist Church in East Gadsden (1957–1981). He became director of missions of Calhoun Baptist Association in 1981 and DOM of Madison Baptist Association in 1989.
As chairman of the history committee for MBA, Chandler wrote “A Brief History of Early Settlers and the Liberty Baptist Association (1838–1924)” and “Historical Highlights” for MBA’s 175th anniversary.
‘Passionate about planting’
“Dr. Chandler served as the association’s director of missions for 11 years, from July 1989 to August 2000,” said Charlie Howell, MBA’s executive director of missions. “Passionate about church planting, he founded the MBA’s 99 Club, which helps newly planted churches purchase land.”
Following retirement, he served for several years as the English pastor to children and adults at Huntsville (Korean) Baptist Church. He was a member of First Baptist Church Huntsville, where he served as chairman of the missions committee, on the leadership council and as a Sunday School teacher. He was an active member of the Huntsville Rotary Club.
He served as director and teacher for 20 years in the extension division of Samford University.
He traveled to 29 countries on five continents, many of which were missions trips where he preached and visited with missionaries.
He is survived by his wife, Hazel; two children; four grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
His funeral is planned for noon on Sept. 3 at Crestwood Funeral Home in Gadsden, with visitation from 10 a.m. until noon.
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