Gordon John Christensen was born in Seattle, Washington, to Ivor John and Helen Violet (Weston) Christensen on July 9, 1925. He passed away April 6, 2018, at the Christian Rest Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the age of 92.

Gordon attended Franklin High School and then Seattle Pacific University. His education was interrupted by polio during his second year at S. P. U. He went to North Park College and North Park Seminary, graduating in 1950. That year he was ordained into the ministry and sailed for the Belgian Congo, where he was married to Geneva Noren on September 1, 1950. Gordon’s Sunday School teacher led him to the Lord when he was about 10 years old. He enjoyed Bible Camp during the summers where they usually had missionary speakers. Influenced by them, he decided he would like to share the Good News he had received with those who hadn’t as yet heard.

Gordon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, with his major in teaching high school English. He also took some special studies at Fuller School of Missions in Pasadena, California, with Dr. Donald McGavran and Dr. J. Edwin Orr. In Gordon’s own words, “My passion is the renewing of the Church locally, nationally, and internationally. I’m excited about what God is doing in the Evangelical Church these days. My root gift is that of encourager. My greatest satisfaction comes when someone, whether high-schooler, collegian,or young married is encouraged through the mutual study of the Word and through prayer. I feel that obedience to the Word of God is the key to success, growth spiritually, and delight in the Lord.”

He will be remembered by many as a man of prayer and the Word. Gordon was a prolific writer, producing helpful booklets for the Christian life such as: “The Poison Cup”, “Puberty Rites”, “The Family”, “The Worker and his Word”, etc. No doubt the greatest gift to the African church is the three volume New Testament Commentary, Mai na Bomoi (LivingWater). They were written in their own language at the request of the church and have been used as textbooks in many Bible schools. After retirement, both Gordon and Geneva served in interim pastor capacities in several places and were involved in Schools of Prayer and Evangelism, and Spiritual Intervention.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Geneva; his three children and their spouses ; Susan and Dale Lovercheck, Michael and Angela Christensen, and Mary Lynn and Dennis Carlson; and five grandchildren: James, Timothy, Kristin, Nathan, and Katelin.

Gordon was preceded in death by his grandson, Phillip Christensen; sister, Kathleen Hoffman; and brother, Ernest Christensen.

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