Global United Fellowship elevates Bishop Sherman Gordon of Family of Faith Christian Center
The favor of God continues to fall upon the Rev. Dr. Sherman A. Gordon, who was recently appointed to metropolitan bishop in the Global United Fellowship.
According to its website, the organization is “an international body of spiritual leaders, fellowships and congregations united to strategically plan, implement and execute transformative and generational change as well as expanding the Kingdom of God to all the nations of the world.” Currently, GUF comprises more than 1,400 churches in 42 countries including 49 members in California.
Gordon, who is the pastor of Family of Faith Christian Center (FOFCC) in Long Beach and a GUF bishop, was already handling considerable responsibilities. Apparently, his past successes persuaded GUF superiors of his ability to perform at a higher level and decided to elevate his role in the fellowship.
In his new position, Gordon’s oversight expands from five states to the 17 most Western most states, including Alaska and Hawaii, and the parts of Africa. “It is global in the true sense of the word – local to national,” he said.
“I’m really excited and humbled by this opportunity,” explained Gordon. “I had no desire nor was I looking to move up, but Bishop Neil C. Ellis, our presiding prelate, and Bishop Craig Johnson, the senior metropolitan bishop, saw the work that I was doing in this district and recommended that I be moved up. It was just by working hard and having my work be recognized that I take on this challenge.”
As metropolitan bishop, Gordon will assist pastors of new and emerging churches with determining and implementing the infrastructure to ensure a stable ministry. Components such as incorporating as a nonprofit, recruiting qualified staff and weighing pastoral demands versus personal life can be neglected, however, Gordon said that he aims to guide to pastors in avoiding those pitfalls.
“GUF wants to make sure that they have everything in place that you need to be a functioning church,” he said. “I hope to be able to go and help pastors with self-care and balance in their lives.”
Gordon firmly believes in the importance of balance, especially since he will continue as pastor of FOFCC while serving as metropolitan bishop. To help him, Gordon said encourages his congregation “to open their hands to allow the gifts that God has given them to be spread among other people and then I can provide leadership to the other pastors.” He also plans to carry out his duties as a bishop during the week and preach in his own pulpit at least 45-to-48 Sundays each year.
“So I am excited about being able to serve my local church,” said Gordon about Family of Faith. Since he founded FOFCC in 2010, the church has established several internal ministries for children, young adults and seniors, along with a host of community initiatives to help underserved residents. FOFCC also conducts regular outreach distributing food, care packets, clothing and prayer to residents on L.A.’s skid row and homeless encampments in the South Bay area.
“In the next five years, I think we will turn our area into what God wants his church to be and that is to be more like the early church – serving the widows, meeting the needs of the homeless, taking care of the hungry. We have hopes to create an outreach center where we can really become the church that meets the whole needs of the man,” said Gordon.
But whether serving as a pastor or GUF bishop, Gordon insisted that his gift of faith will guide him in all situations. Citing Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – and Ephesians 3:20 – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” – as his favorites scriptures, Gordon declared his confidence in the power of God.
“I am a man of faith and I really believe that is my gift to see what other people cannot see and to believe that and to receive it. So, whatever the challenge is before us, with God we can do it!
To learn more about Global United Fellowship, visit Family of Faith Christian Center at fofccglobal.com or globalunitedfellowship.org.
