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Gordon Moyes graduated from the Churches of Christ College of the Bible, Glen Iris, in 1959. After graduation he had ministries at Newmarket, Ascot Vale, Ararat and Cheltenham. He left Cheltenham to take up the role of Superintendent of the Wesley Mission where he ministered for 27 years. To undertake this ministry he was ordained in the Uniting Church in Australia.
Gordon led Wesley to become one of Australia’s largest non-government welfare providers and a uniquely shaped multi-cultural, city-based church, passionate about sharing God’s love in both Word and Deed. He was essentially an evangelist. This extraordinary ministry was extensive in its breadth, significant in its range and innovative in its scope. Where there was a need and opportunity, Gordon saw a vision to serve.
He was honoured in many ways over the years, including Australia’s highest honour, the Companion of The Order of Australia in 2002 (AC). He was the New South Wales Father of the Year in 1986.
John Howard, former Australian Prime Minister, described him as “the epitome of effective Christian leadership.” He also said, “… what I particularly salute is the way in which Dr Moyes has led the Wesley Mission to an understanding of the need for the church, in its various outreaches to the community to change and adapt whilst retaining a deep connection with the fundamentals of the Christian religion.”
Gordon was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council in 2002 for the Christian Democratic Party and went on to have a career in politics serving both the CDP and Family First for the next 9 years. As a cross-bench member, Gordon pursued an agenda of social justice, while drawing attention to what he saw as the moral erosion of Australian society. As one of the few members of the Parliament with a background in social work, he was a passionate advocate for disadvantaged indigenous populations, the homeless, the disabled, and the unemployed. He spearheaded reform agendas for the juvenile justice system and fairer personal injury compensation. His informed judgements were drawn from a foundation in the inalienable values of justice, compassion, free will, and morality as explained in the Word of God.
For some years, while at Wesley Mission, Gordon taught Homiletics at the New South Wales College, as well as regularly taking intensives at the Emmanuel School of Religion and Milligan College (two Churches of Christ institutions). It was from Milligan College that he obtained his Doctorate. He preached the Conference Sermon to a packed Sydney Town Hall in 1972. His book How to Grow an Australian Church came out of his experience at Cheltenham.
Gordon died peacefully on Easter Sunday surrounded by what he described as the greatest joy of his life, his loving family.
Written by
Dennis Nutt
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