Gordon retired from full-time ministry after 28 years

Since it was established in 1898, the Little White Church (LWC) in Malta had had 40 pastors, it's current minister, Kent Gordon, celebrated his retirement on Saturday, June 12.

Prior to Pastor Kent and his wife, Sue Gordon, moving to Malta in 1993 to lead the church, the church had not seen much longevity at the position, with some pastors staying only a few months and a couple staying for three years of service.

Gordon was a science teacher at Malta High School for 16 of the years that he had been pastoring at LWC. Gordon had also taught prior to moving to Malta.

In a time that science and faith seem so conflicted, Pastor Kent shared his beliefs on how the two coexist.

"God created everything," Gordon said. "With science, all that we are doing is finding what God created. This thing that scientists don't like religion is nuts because when you go back in US history, all of those scientists were ministers."

Recently, in a time where churches across the country have been more vocal politically, Pastor Gordon took a different approach when speaking from the pulpit.

"I don't know that ministers have been truthful," Gordon said. "They have been put on a pedestal, but the word of God should be endearing to each person."

He said that growing up, he thought that churches were like many other clubs; members only. As he has grown older, he realized that things should be different.

"It's been kind of a clique-ish thing," Gordon said. "That is one thing that I have tried to do, is cut all of that stuff out. This is a church. We preach love. Love your brother, no matter what."

Gordon has had numerous memories while preaching and pastoring LWC, but his fondest memories include being a part of the 100 year anniversary of the institution in 1998 and arriving in Malta in 1993.

"The first time we came over that south hill, both my wife and I looked down and said, we are home," Pastor Kent said. "And we grew up in western Montana, where it is supposed to be all beautiful, but people aren't that beautiful over there."

The Gordons had been pastoring and ministering at LWC and at Saco Methodist Church for almost three decades, and while they have enjoyed it, Gordon knows that it is time to pass the torch.

"I'm 71, it's time that I take time for me and my wife, (to spend more time) together," Pastor Kent said. "When you get to a certain age, you think, I can't plan for next year, can I? When you are young enough, you don't worry about it."

Gordon also said that he knew it was time to get someone younger to lead the church. Until LWC can find someone to become the next pastor, Gordon will continue preaching, but when the new person comes, Kent and Sue will continue to stay in Malta and hope to be a part of the same church.

"Why would I want to leave," he said. "This is my home."

He said that they don't plan on doing much traveling because prior to moving to Malta, the couple traveled around the world for over ten years during his service in the US Army. There is one field trip the couple will take.

"I am going to go to Mississippi to see my great-grandchild," Pastor Kent said. "The only true plans we have are working on our garden and going to Mississippi."