Paul Rader Van Gorder

I just found out who Paul Van Gorder is.
A wonderful teacher who blessed many people with the truth.
It goes to show the work of the Lord never ever fails and His true workers go on by their teachings long after they go home.
Amen.

I was blessed by chairing a committee that was responsible for organizing special meetings Dr. Van Gorder came to Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada for about 20 years ago and my wife and I made sure that we were in attendance when he held meetings in our area on subsequenct occassions. It was a wonderful privilege for us getting to know him while he was here on that first occassion. I don't think that there was anything anyone asked him to do that he refused even though I am sure there there were times when he would have liked to just relaxe after a busy day. He did everything demonstrating a beautiful Christiasn spirit. I'm sure that you will get a smile when I tell you about meeting him the second morning he was with us. He was staying at a hotel near the church and that second morning in a very serious tone he told me that he had found a Tim Horton's Coffee Shop near his hotel and he had determined to have his breakfasts there for the rest of his stay because it was less expensive that eating at the hotel! Over the years we have often marvelled that we have never seen a more gracious Christian in spite of his prominence in the Christian community.

Jim, Becky & family, so sorry to learn of your loss. I was researching on the internet and accidently found the news of Dr. Van Gorder's death. Becky, I know your dad was a wonderful man and how much you loved and admired him. My thoughts went back to my own father and the kind words that Jim spoke at his funeral and the heart break of losing my dad rekindles and helps me to feel your pain. But Praise God !!! we'll get to see them again one day in Heaven!!! What a glorious day that will be and I'm so thankful that I have that promise. I know that you are, too. Just wanted you to know that I still love ya'll and you're often in my thoughts and prayers. Love through Christ, Judy Kirven

Bro. Paul was the best pastor I ever knew. I was saved and grew up under his ministry at CHBC in East Point. He will be greatly missed, but praise the Lord...we will see him again in Glory!

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Dear Becky and Ginni,
I was saddened to hear that Bro. Paul is no longer with us because he meant so much to me and my family. But his graduation to Heaven must have all in Heaven rejoicing! Growing up at Colonial Hills Baptist (with you girls), I received a firm Biblical foundation on which to build my life and my home. Bro. Paul was a great Bible scholar, but I think the thing that influenced my life the most was his emphasis on world wide evangelism. Every year I looked forward to the missions conference where missionaries showed slides and taught us about life as a missionary. I did not become a foreign missionary as I thought I would one day, but the Lord lead me in another direction--a military wife and mother. But this background helped my hubby and me in choosing mission minded churches and bottom line is that our daughter has been on the mission field in Honduras part time for 2 years and is now preparing to return full time. I guess we'll never know the full extent of Bro. Paul's influence until we get to Heaven. I am so thankful to have had him as my pastor and friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.

Love in Christ,
Linda Sale Dow
Herndon, Virginia
[email protected]

TO THE FAMILY
I am sorry to learn of your loss but happy for Dr. Van Gorder, knowing where he is. We will see him again.
I am 71 years old and grew up in College Park, GA and as a member of Colonial Hills Baptist. I was a child when Paul replaced Jesse Henly there and remember his first Sunday. He baptised me in 1947 when I was 10 years old. I was there until I was married in 1960. His ministry and the church were extraordinary and have stayed with me all my life.
My mother had terminal cancer and was in a coma at Piedmont Hospital in April,1994. I called Paul and he met me at Piedmont. We went to her room and he prayed a glorious prayer which was a great comfort to me; I am convinced that she also heard him as she left this life the next day peacefully. He didn't have to do that.
What a glorious life and testimony to God and his love.
NEAL BARRONTON
MARIETTA, GEORGIA

I have known Pual my entire life. As my mother told me that my grandparents Louis and Annie Sewell took Paul under their wing. Paul married my parents Art and Betty Edmunds in 1947. As a family we have kept up with Paul and Janie their entire lives. I know my mom has spent many happy hours talking with him the past few years. It is a joy to have been a part of his legacy. I can only rejoice knowing he is in his Father's home!

Dear Becky and Ginny, Your father's ministry meant so much to me and my family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. With deepest sympathy, Jean Guest

Rebekah and Ginny,
Just wanted to pray for you and your family on
the death of your father. From Joy Callahan

Rebekah and Virgina,
May ''the God of of all Comfort, who comforteth us in all out tribulations''be with you.
Brother Paul was our Pastor for many years at Colonial Hills.
It was under his teaching and preaching that we learned so much and it has been a real help to us over the years.
What a glorious reunion Bro. Paul must be having with his Lord, wife and many friends and family that went on before him.
Our Love and Prayers,
Rev. Harold and Guynell (Brewer) Callahan

We attended Colonial Hills from 1944-1984. I (Sandy) was an unsaved person as librarian of the church. On Jan. 1, 1951, under the influence of Bro. Paul, I trusted the Lord in his office and was baptized as a Christian. I have continued to follow and serve God and am now 85 years old. Bro. Paul was truly a Godly man and a person I have always respected. We learned much from his ministry and the clear preaching of God's word. We have many fond memories of serving together with him at CHB. He was a model of faithfulness and wisdom. We wish you God's comfort and special blessings through these days.
Sandy & Ruth Sailers (Spring Arbor, MI)

I trusted Christ in August 1954 as a lost 18 year old church member. Shortly afterward Brother Paul baptized me when I joined Colonial Hills in East Point. I absorbed his messages and grew in the Lord. A young 16 year old girl named Charlotte Wilson, who was also a lost church member, got saved, and he baptized her. Little did I realize that she would become my wife. In 1962, after college at Bob Jones University, we got married and moved back to the East Point area and continued at the church. Together we continued to grow under his ministry. His impact on our lives can not be measured. I look forward to seeing him again in heaven where he is now and is rejoicing. I want to tell him "thank you". He was a great pastor and good friend. He indeed left a vacuum here on earth when he went home.

Wonderful memories of our friend. What a Corronation Day in Heaven, and what a vacantcy on earth today.

To the VanGorder Family...Your father expressed the love of God in his words and actions better than anyone I know. He came to speak at a fledgling struggling Christian radio station in Valdosta,GA at a radio anniversary. Before he flew out, he gave the honorariam given to him back to the station saying, "You need it more than RBC". I saw him when he visited Florida at times, and enjoyed his ministry on RBC. I'll always remember his kind gentle Christian spirit. I'm sure you have many precious memories for the days ahead. Truly he is rejoicing today!

I attended Colonial Hills Baptist Church rather often in the late fifties and also some in the early sixties and enjoyed Dr. Van Gorder's sermons and also the good music. I moved to Florida and was disappointed when I heard he had left Colonial Hills but was happy to hear he was on The Radio Bible Class and saw him there. I pray for his family to be comforted during this time. May God bless each of them.

Joyce Parks (Ruh) Wright

To the family of Brother Paul- Please know how sorry I am to hear of your loss. My grandparents talked constantly about Brother Paul's influence on them. My grandmother still does at the age of 92!! (my grandparents are Era and Claude(deceased) Norris.

He was the right man for the right time in my life and in our family's lives. He lived the Bible that he preached!!! Wanda Woodyard O'Callaghan

Becky, Ginny and Fam,
Just wanted to send you guys our love and prayers...take care of each other. Revelation 21:3,4.

Dear Becky and Ginny,
We were so shocked to get the news from Jane Bateman (Spartanburg, SC) today about your Dad's homegoing. Herman and I didn't attend Colonial Hills, but grew to love him when y'all came to FBA. We heard him many times on RBC and felt we knew him. And then I had the privilege of playing for Becky's wedding and attending Ginny's. I wonder if Rachael Williams knows? We pray you and your families will know the peace that only comes from our Lord during times like these. God bless you all.
Herman and Bee Wolter

Gini, Our deepest sympathy on the home going of your Dad. We were blessed by his teaching at RBC...but most of all that he was your Dad and a had a great influence on your life. We remember with joy those special years at FBA and trust that you continue to be a blessing to many.
Love, Helen & Richard Taylor

The Word of God preached by Paul Van Gorder is with us until this day.
Judge and Mrs.Tom Dillon, Woodstock, GA

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

I grew up at Colonial Hills. My family and I always thought the world of "Brother Paul". He helped influence the relationship I have with Jesus Christ.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Carol Payne Hill, Marietta, GA

Dear Family, RBC Ministries learned of Paul's graduation to our Lord's Presence on Wednesday during our Chapel service. We prayed for you all. We were reminded of Paul's contribution to the Kingdom of God. What a heritage you have received from Paul. I worked with Paul at RBC Ministries, a little on the TV side and a little on the radio side. I enjoyed talking to Paul informally because he was a kind and gentle person with a deep understanding of the Scriptures. I also learned of his deep love for Janie, and his family. God Bless you all.

May the family draw close to God to gain comfort and strength.

I grew up at Colonial Hills Church.
Paul Van Gorder was very much a part of my life then. He gave me a lot of advice when I was about to graduate from high school.
I last talked to him at my brother's church a few years ago. Somewhere I have a picture of him eating a bowl of icecream at Womack Park at a Colonial Hills Picnic.
I can still hear his voice as some of us kids were squirming in our seats at church. He just gave us a glance and we shut up immediately.
My grandfather, Howard Morris, occasionally preached at Colonial Hills.
Paul Van Gorder was a good and faithful servant of the Lord.
Tim Dial

Rebekah, Ginny and family,
Your dad was truly a special man. He was my "first pastor". My family attended Colonial Hills Baptist Church when I was five years old, and I remember hearing your daddy preach. It was under his ministry that my dad felt called to attend Tennessee Temple University.
Later on, we moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and were touched again by his ministry at Radio Bible Class where I worked as a college student in the summers, and where I work now.
He was truly a man of God, loved and respected by many people. May God be your comfort, strength, and ROCK in the days, months, and years ahead.
We look forward to being with him once again in heaven.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I grew up in Colonial Hills in East Point and Brother Paul was such an important part of my family's life. I am so blessed to have known him! I know he is rejoicing with our Heavenly Father now but I know you will miss him so much. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

Nancy Booth Smith

Rebekah, Ginny, and family,
We are praying for you in this time of loss. Thank you for sharing your dad all these years with so many. He is a part of all of our lives. May you feel the "everlasting arms of our Eternal God underneath you."

Becky, Gini and families,

God is faithful. Bro. Paul was so influential in my life as a new Christian and teenager as my pastor at CHBC. He taught me a love for God's Word and missions. He led my Daddy to the Lord after many years of praying for Daddy's salvation. Mama and Daddy loved him, too. They are all rejoicing in heaven together with Jesus now. He was always there when we needed him even after he was no longer the pastor of Colonial Hills. We are praying for each of you and grieve at our loss, but rejoice at Heaven's gain.

I was 7 years old when Brother Paul came to Colonian Hills. I can remember when Paul told us he had met and would marry Janie.
I can still see his beautiful smile and hear his deep wonderul voice.
I have wonderful memories of him being my pastor for all those years.

Praise God for the impact that Brother Paul had on my life. God used him to bring me to saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. His faithfulness to preaching the whole word of God has been such an influence on me to this day and I will thank him when we meet again in Heaven. Praise God for the death of His saints.

Praise God for Brother Paul's faithfulness to preaching the Gospel. It was this man that God used to bring me to saving faith in my Lord. I will be sure to thank him for his preaching the whole word of God when I see him in Heaven!

Dear Becky and Ginny,
We were very sorry for your loss and know how much you will miss your Dad. I just can imagine the reunion up there with my Daddy and Gabba. Don't you know they're having a joyous time! He meant so much to all of us and was such a tremendous influence in my life. Thank the Lord for everything your Dad taught me. My Mom (almost 88) sends her love to ya'll also.
Love,
Wayne and Sandee Peavy
Edith Sheats

We are grateful to Brother Paul for his ministry in our lives. He will be grately missed but I know that he is rejoicing now!
Steve and Cheryl Parker
Tyrone, Georgia

Sorry to hear about Brother Paul's passing. He was a very special man who was dearly loved by our family.. Dr. and Mrs. Tom Washburn

Dear family: Grace and peace to you. Pastor Paul ordained me to the gospel ministry in 1959 at Colonial Hills B.C.
His longtime friendship since then and model ministry through the years have blessed Marty and me. Now anticipating the grand reunion in glory. Grief is for a while; agape is forever!
Dick Jensen
[email protected]

Psa. 116:15 - "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
Dear Becky & Ginny: Thinking of you in this time of your sorrow. It
doesn't look like it will be long until we'll all be reunited in the Rapture.
Love in Him, Mildred Yancey

Dear Family,
Brother Paul meant the world to our family. He was our rock!His ministry built a solid Christian base in my life. I have and always will carry the lessons he taught me and use them for the Lord. He will be greatly missed.

Dear Gini & Becky: We were so sorry to learn of the passing of your father. Praise God he is in the presence of our Lord. He was certainly a dear, dear friend of ours for many years and such a blessing to us and our family. We have such fond memories of our past times together. We will be praying for you and your family at this time. With our Love, Jim and Doris Rooks (Butler, PA)

Just learned of Bro. Paul's passing. I count him one of the really important influences in my life. As a child growing up in Colonial Hills, his pastoral ministry gave me a solid heritage of good Bible teaching and Bibical literacy. As well, his life modeled patience, kindness, and servanthood. My mother tells the story of how he drove her to the hospital when I was about to be born. Heaven is welcoming one of their own. Becky and Gini--we've lost touch over the years, but I will be praying for you during these days.
Miriam Sailers (Spring Arbor, MI)

Becky and Gini,
Donna passed on the email about your dad's Homegoing, and it brought back GOOD memories of our CBC days! Know that I rememebr you with much appreciation and affection and lots of smiles and have walked where you are walking now. Gary and I will be praying for much grace and peace for you and your family.
Paula (Greer) Walter

Dear Family: I was sorry to hear about Brother Paul's passing. He was truly a great bible teacher. I was a new christian when I came to Colonial Hills and I must say I would leave the services saying to myself why did I not know that. He was alway kind and concerned about his flock. I was thankful to have him as my pastor. His teaching will always be with me He will be sorley missed. Love to the family.

Dear family: I was sorry to hear about Brother Paul's passing. He was truly a great bible teacher. I was a new christian when I came to Colonial Hills and I must say I would leave the services saying to myself why did I not know that. He was alway kind and concerned about his flock. I was thankful to have him as my pastor. His teaching will always be with me. He will be sorley missed. Love to the family, Carol Springsteen, Fayetteville, Ga

I am so sorry to hear the news of Brother Paul's passing. I cried the last time I saw him at the First Baptist Church of Forest Park, GA, with Jenny, as it brought back so many memories from my youth at Colonial Hills. I know he will be sorely missed. Love, Jenny (Deen) Fleming, Jonesboro, GA

Becky , Gini,Finally HOME,THE BELLS ARE RINGING IN HEAVEN,MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU @ ALL YOUR FAMILY. WE WERE ALL BLESSED TO KNOW LOVE HIM. J.P.JORDAN

Dear Family,

Sonny (J.P.) called and told me of your Dad's presence with the Lord. He was a precious man to all of us and was so loved!! I know he had a wonderful entrance into heaven and I'm sure your Mother was there with Jesus welcoming him home. We have wonderful memories of Colonial Hills and his ministry there as well as Radio Bible. I know Sonny respected him above all ministers in his life and felt your Dad
lived the life more than any pastor he knew - that's a great testimony. You have a wonderful heritage!

We all love your family. May the Lord strengthen you in your grief. When my Daddy died Bro. Paul came in and before saying anything he quoted "His grace if sufficient". It was for me and I know it will be for all of you.
Love, Brenda and Dan Jackson

Dear Becky and Jenny,
We just learned about your dad's homegoing through Harriet Crain. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We got to see Dr. Paul a few years ago when we were sharing at Colonial Hills. David has many fond memories of him and all your family.
Love in Christ,
Marilyn and David Simmons

Jim, Becky and family,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Dr. Van Gorder. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you

Furman, John and Rebecca Bulman
Roebuck, SC