George Matsoukas
Remembering Father Gordon Walker
Orthodox Christian Laity is truly blessed to have had the gentle, humble and Christ-Centered guidance of the Very Reverend Father Gordon Thomas Walker. He served on our advisory board for many years and spoke at many Annual Meetings and Open Forums. We were blessed to have been his guests in Franklin, TN his home community two years ago. He and Kouria Mary Sue were the founding members of this most dynamic Orthodox Christian Community of St Ignatius and he served as the pastor for many years and was pastor emeritus. They had the vision to purchase the land and a whole community grew around the Church that they established with the help of many. This community is his legacy.
Father Gordon came to Orthodoxy with the Evangelical Christians who were seeking the roots of the Church. They were on a quest and study for many years and finally Came Home to Orthodoxy through the Antiochian Archdiocese in 1987. Father Gordon and Father Peter Gillquist of Blessed Memory were both on our advisory board and helped us grow in our faith and commitment to mission and outreach by conveying their journey to us. Father Gordon also supported the work of missionary priests around the world especially Fr Daniel in Indonesia. Through Fr Gordon our perspective on the work of the church as a mission throughout the world was expanded.
Fr Gordon always spoke in a soft tone and in a deliberate way. We always knew we were in the presence of a Holy and exemplary churchman when we had fellowship with him. We knew that these last few years were difficult for him health wise. But Father embraced his suffering and trusted in the Lord. He was positive and faithful in life and in accepting what the will of the Lord was for him.
We are saddened by his falling asleep but we are enriched and blessed for and by his guidance. May his memory be eternal. We will not forget your example.
George Matsoukas, Executive Director
Thursday July 30, 2015 at 12:36 pm