Community Of Love Ministries

Click Here Elder Michael Gordon, M.A. “Service to God's people" are words that characterize Elder Michael Gordon. He is a third-generation minister who comes from a long tradition of service within the church. He has served in many capacities while participating and contributing at the Sunday School, Christian Education, and Youth Ministry level, as well as in the Ministerial and Music Ministry areas.Music Ministry has taken him in many directions; from composing music which has appeared on recordings for the renowned Thompson Community Singers and music performed by Dr. Essie Clark and the Voices of Melody under the direction of Dr. Charles Clency to music which appeared on albums for the Faith Temple COGIC Choir under the direction of the late, Reuben G. Lightfoot. Vocally, he has performed on stage, in studio sessions or on CD projects with the likes of Babie Mason, Joann Rosario, Albertina Walker, Desmond Pringle, Stephen and Woola (Candy) LaFlora, Gina Thurston, the late, Kelvin Lenox, Dr. Willetta Greene-Johnson, vocal group, JourneySong and many others.Educationally, Michael has taken to heart the words of Proverbs 4:7 which says, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” He completed his undergraduate degree at the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago and received a Master of Arts Degree from McCormick Theological Seminary. He has done post-graduate studies with Dr. Samuel Musoni, Ph.D from Harvard University and has been certified in Psycho-spiritual Counseling.Family is very important to Elder Gordon. He has been married to his sweetheart, author and graphic designer, Cheryl Vashti Gordon, for twenty-nine wonderful years. Together they have raised their sons, Michael Aaron and Jon Andre, who are models/singers and members of Us Records/J Records recording artists, One Chance.Ministry is a calling for Elder Gordon and he has preached at churches throughout this country from New York to Nebraska, Texas to Tennessee, and Mississippi to South Carolina. He currently serves as Associate Minister and Director of Ministry at Maranatha Church of God In Christ as well as volunteering at New Direction Outreach Residential Treatment Facility. Elder Gordon cherishes the monthly opportunity he has to go into Chicago Public Schools to speak to students about career exposure and goalsetting. Elder Gordon and his wife, recently started a not-for-profit organization called Community of Love Ministries, Inc. that initially ministers support and the Word of God to the homeless. “YOUR LIFE: A SNAPSHOT OR SLIDESHOW”Someone has said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but in my opinion some pictures “speak the wrong words.” What I mean is a picture only captures one moment in time and does not really reveal the context of what is actually going on with the subject of the snapshot. There is no way one can get accurate information about the events going on in the life of a person by looking at one snapshot. There is also no way a person can characterize the quality of their life or future based on a single event in ones life. But many people try to do just that. They experience one disappointment, one failed relationship, one job loss, one health challenge, or one financial disaster and conclude that all of life is headed “down the drain.” Life is not meant to be viewed as a snapshot, but as a slideshow. Life cannot be summarized by one event, but must be viewed in light of a constantly changing landscape. Things are always changing and nothing ever stays the same. Time changes, the seasons change, circumstances change, and our human bodies change. God created it to be that way. Whether you know it or not, while you are reading this article, your body is changing…millions of old cells are dying and millions of new cells are being formed. Tomorrow you will, literally, be a different person than you are today! So situations, people, or events that cause pain and stress today can change or vanish as quickly as they appeared. Both time and circumstances are changing and often fit, though sometimes uncomfortably, into our span of life. Solomon, the wise writer of Ecclesiastes, seems to support this ever-changing quality of life when he writes, “There is a time for everything…a time to be born and die…a time to tear down and build up…a time to weep and laugh…a time to embrace and refrain…to mourn and dance…to keep and to throw away…” (Eccl. 3:1-6, NIV) We must not allow our future to be paralyzed by the snapshots of negative situations that occur in our life nor can we judge others based on the singular snapshots we view of their lives. In taking this narrow view of ourselves and others, we negate or minimize God’s transformative power to intervene and bring redemptive change into our lives. Are you looking at a snapshot of a circumstance from 2007 to determine how life will be for you in 2008? Are you looking at a snapshot of someone whose behavior was inappropriate and “counting them out” as friends? Remember…God can change anything or anyone! Don’t view life as a snapshot, but as a slideshow with many changing frames…some good and some bad…but all combining to show a wonderful story of a grateful life that is full of divine purpose, opportunities, challenges, and hope for the future.Proud, Devoted, and Loving Father