STORY
Delthony Gordon Named Adventist Community Services Director for Ohio Conference
April 15, 2026
Francis Tuffour
A pastor, educator, and community leader brings a passion for service and evangelism to a revitalized ministry.
The Ohio Conference is pleased to welcome Pastor Delthony Gordon as the new Adventist Community Services (ACS) Director, marking an important step forward in revitalizing a ministry that connects compassion with evangelism across the state.
Pastor Gordon brings a lifetime of ministry influence and a diverse professional background to this role. Raised in a family deeply committed to education and church service, both of his parents served as educators and ministry leaders in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. That legacy of service continues within his family today. He and his wife, Esther, have been married for 22 years and are blessed with two children: their eldest son, Jonathan, a young adult, and their youngest daughter, Hadassah. Their second child, Benjamin, was tragically lost due to a car accident during pregnancy at nine months. The Gordons hold firmly to the hope of the resurrection, when they will see him again.
Although he once resisted the idea of pastoral ministry, Pastor Gordon recalls a turning point during his time as an academy teacher. Encouraged by his students and guided through prayer, he recognized God’s calling on his life. “It was unmistakable that God wanted me in pastoral ministry,” he shared.
For the past nine years, Pastor Gordon has served as pastor of the Beavercreek Seventh-day Adventist Church, a role he will continue alongside his new responsibilities. His ministry experience includes pastoral service in Oklahoma, as well as work as an academy chaplain, assistant guidance counselor, and teacher of mathematics, physics, and computer science. He has also directed choir programs at two academies in different countries.
Throughout his career, community engagement has been a consistent thread. At Beavercreek, he helped establish a Community Services department that built strong partnerships with local nonprofits, community leaders, and organizations throughout Greene County and Dayton. His involvement has extended to advisory boards, school districts, healthcare systems, and nonprofit organizations—experiences that have uniquely prepared him for this new leadership role.
Reflecting on his appointment, Pastor Gordon emphasizes God’s leading at every step. When first approached about the role, he spent more than three weeks in prayer and careful consideration before responding. The opportunity arose again in a separate setting, prompting him to seek further confirmation from the Lord, which he received. He subsequently accepted the call, and the Ohio Conference Executive Committee officially voted on the appointment two months later. He notes that this pattern of prayerful discernment has marked each of his previous ministry assignments. “I am excited to serve in a role that aligns so closely with my passion—helping to meet people’s needs while introducing them to Christ,” he said.
As he steps into leadership, Pastor Gordon recognizes both the challenge and opportunity ahead. With the ACS ministry having been largely dormant for nearly two decades, he sees significant potential for growth and impact across Ohio.
Grounded in the principles of Christ’s method of ministry, his vision centers on building relationships that open doors for the gospel. “Through ACS, we can help prepare the way—by socializing, sympathizing, and serving,” he explained. “This creates opportunities to share hope in meaningful and lasting ways.”
Key priorities for the department include developing a coordinated disaster response system, equipping churches to respond effectively in times of crisis, and fostering ongoing partnerships with community organizations. Initiatives will address a wide range of needs, including health, family support, education, and vocational development.
Pastor Gordon often frames his ministry through the acronym HOPE: Helping Others Prepare for Eternity by Helping Others Pursue Excellence. This philosophy underscores his commitment to holistic ministry—meeting immediate needs while pointing individuals toward eternal hope.
He draws clear direction for leadership from Scripture, particularly Proverbs 3:5–6 and 1 Corinthians 9:27, which emphasize trust in God and personal spiritual discipline. These principles shape both his personal life and his approach to ministry.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Pastor Gordon enjoys spending time with his family through music, games, travel, and shared activities. His interests also include science, languages, apologetics, and community engagement—reflecting a well-rounded approach to life and ministry.
As he begins this new chapter, Pastor Gordon shares a message of encouragement to Ohio Conference members:
“The best days of ministry are yet ahead, so let us FOCUS—Fix Our Concentration Upon the Savior—as He charts new paths for us to tread in serving others and winning souls for His kingdom.”
With renewed vision and leadership, Adventist Community Services in Ohio is stepping forward to connect churches and communities—demonstrating Christ’s love in action and preparing hearts for the message of hope.
share this
Related Stories
The Slavic Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cleveland, “Heaven for All!,” recently joined churches worldwide in celebrating World Adventurer Day. Although the church’s “Little Stars” Adventurer Club is less than a year old, the children led a special Adventurer Sabbath during the worship service. They participated in the opening of the service, presented a musical selection, recited Scripture-based poems, assisted with the collection of tithes and offerings, offered the prayer for the offering, and introduced the congregational hymn. The celebration also marked an important milestone for the club. Adventurers completed the Little Lamb and Busy Bee levels and advanced to the Early Bird and Sunbeam levels. Each child received a Bible storybook and a pin recognizing the completion of their level. Following the worship service, club members completed the “My Church” Adventurer Award by meeting church leaders, asking questions about their roles, and learning more about how the church serves its congregation. The children also received commemorative gifts. The special Sabbath highlighted the involvement of the church’s youngest members in worship while encouraging their continued spiritual growth and engagement in the life of the congregation.
The Greater Cleveland Seventh-day Adventist Church concluded its 10-day evangelistic series, “A Better Tomorrow,” with a baptismal service celebrating individuals who publicly committed their lives to Jesus Christ. The series was presented by Pastor Israel Okyere and hosted by Pastor Michael Opuni. Throughout the 10-day event, community members gathered in person and online to study the Bible, strengthen their faith, and learn about God’s plan for their lives. Each evening featured messages centered on practical and biblical themes, including spiritual awakening, transformation, assurance, commitment, and decision. Through preaching, prayer, and fellowship, attendees were encouraged to deepen their relationship with Christ. The series concluded with a baptismal service in which several individuals publicly professed their faith through baptism. Family members, friends, and church members gathered to witness and celebrate the occasion as the candidates entered the waters of baptism, symbolizing their new life in Christ. Following the series, the Greater Cleveland Seventh-day Adventist Church affirmed its commitment to supporting the newly baptized members in their spiritual growth while continuing its mission of sharing the gospel throughout the community.
A conference departmental leader and ministry partners are highlighting the power of service-driven outreach through a featured discussion on "Christ's Method in Action," showcasing efforts to meet practical needs while building stronger, healthier communities. The program, presented on 3ABN Today, features Pastor Delthony Gordon, Adventist Community Services (ACS) Director for the Ohio Conference and pastor of the Beavercreek Seventh-day Adventist Church, alongside Nicole Braxton of AMEN Free Clinic. The discussion focuses on collaborative approaches to community engagement, compassionate service, and improving access to essential resources. Participants emphasized the importance of addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs through hands-on ministry and community partnerships. The conversation highlights how faith-based organizations and healthcare-focused outreach initiatives can work together to serve individuals and families facing challenges. "Christ's Method in Action" illustrates a model of service that seeks to build trust, foster relationships, and create meaningful opportunities for positive change throughout Ohio communities using the important outreach arm - Adventist Community Services. The program serves as an example of the ongoing commitment of community organizations, volunteers, and ministry leaders who are working to provide practical support and hope to those in need. For more information about Adventist Community Services in Ohio and related outreach initiatives, visit www.ACSOhio.org , or email acs@ohioadventist.org.
STAY UP TO DATE
GET CONFERENCE'S LATEST
Receive monthly updates from the conference, and get a heads up on upcoming events.
Contact Us
