Harold and Hazel Chandler have announced their retirement as director of missions (DOM) and administrative assistant of Madison Association, effective in August.
“We are very grateful to the (Madison) association for allowing us to serve here, and for those who labored before us. They are wonderful people to work with,” said Chandler.
Chandler, a native of Etowah County, went to college when he was 15 after finishing all his high school credits. He first went to Jacksonville State, then graduated from Snead State Junior College and Auburn University. He met his future bride when he was 16 and she was 13. They were married on Christmas Day of 1951 — a day after his 19th birthday.
Shortly before their first anniversary, the Chandlers had their first of two children — Cathy Chandler Duke — and five years later, G. Harold Chandler Jr. They also have four grandchildren.
While at Auburn, Chandler was studying to be a teacher. During his final quarter in July 1952, he accepted God’s call to the ministry when he was attending First Baptist, Auburn.
The young family moved to Louisville, Ky., where Chandler attended Southern Seminary. Following seminary, he landed his first pastoral job in Georgia. After two years, he was called to Paden Baptist Church, Gadsden, where he served 1957-81.
Chandler was then hired as DOM for the Calhoun Baptist Association — which his great-great-grandfather, Philip Sieber, founded in 1834 and served as its first DOM. Chandler worked there until 1989 when he and his wife moved to Huntsville to serve at Madison.
The couple has been virtually inseparable during their nearly five decades of work. During most of their married lives, Mrs. Chandler has not only been a wife, best friend and confidant, but also Chandler’s secretary and administrative assistant.
“We’re partners in this ministry,” said Chandler. “There’s no doubt in my mind that she is the person God meant for me to marry. She’s been wonderful and has never threatened to quit.”
For Mrs. Chandler, working for her husband has been “very rewarding and a good experience. I feel a very strong call that I am doing the work God has ordained me to do. The most difficult thing is that you always take your work home with you.”
Both said they are looking forward to retirement “so we can spend more time together.”
While in Huntsville, Chandler has helped start 12 mission congregations, including four which should become full-fledged churches this fall. He has visited more than 350 missionaries in 28 countries and has taught courses at Samford University.
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