MAURICE GORDON:  

Pastor Gordon was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the second of nine children. He was raised in Chicago Illinois. An exceptional student-athlete, he dropped out of high school during his senior year to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. This decision led to a variety of life experiences that have molded his sensibilities toward life. Among these experiences are a thirteen-month stint as a combat infantryman in Vietnam, an eighteen-year battle with drug addiction and drug dealing, intermingled with a roller coaster life of wealth, poverty, incarceration, homelessness, and, more recently, life as a successful college student, advocate, leader, husband and man of God. While he has been honored with much public recognition, academic awards and degrees, he is most thankful that on January 27, 1985 while living in a drive-in theater in San Bernardino, California, he confessed a hope in Christ. On that night, the Lord presented him with His loving gift of grace and put a yearning and burning desire in his heart to serve GOD. Pastor Gordon began his academic career across the street from that drive-inn theater at San Bernardino Valley College. He graduated in 1987 with high honors, receiving an A.A. degree in Liberal Arts. He then received a full scholarship to attend the academically prestigious University of Redlands in Redla...Expand for more