Rev. Jennifer Gordon named pastor at Bethel United Methodist in Lower Burrell

The Rev. Jennifer Gordon has been appointed senior pastor at Bethel United Methodist Church in Lower Burrell.

The Western Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church announced Thursday the commissioning of Gordon, 53, of Rural Valley.

Her first official day at Bethel will be July 1.

“It is an amazing opportunity,” Gordon said. “It is a strong church with strong ministries.”

The commissioning signifies the next step for Gordon, working toward full connection and ordination as an elder in The United Methodist Church, said Jeannie Schott, director of communications for the Western Pa. Conference.

At Bethel, Gordon succeeds the Rev. Clint Phillips who will be taking on a pastoral role in Greensburg.

“He’s someone I really respect and admire,” Gordon said of Phillips. “To come in behind him and follow the paths he has started and find my own ways within it, it’s an exciting opportunity.”

Gordon currently serves as associate pastor for the United Methodist Charge for Christ church in Armstrong County, and The Remnant Faith Community churches in Indiana County.

She is also the chairwoman of the Western Pennsylvania Connectional Leadership Table and serves as her district representative for the disability concerns and leadership and nominations committees.

Before becoming a pastor, Gordon worked in community mental health. Her previous ministry includes working with people with mental illness to help them find hope in their recovery process and employment support for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Gordon herself is hard of hearing and is the parent of deaf adults, she said. She’s fluent in American Sign Language and teaches ASL classes.

“Everybody deserves to be treated with dignity and respect,” Gordon said. “I am passionate about fighting for the rights for all people to be treated with dignity and respect. I believe it’s what God has called us to do.”

Gordon grew up in the United Methodist Church. Her husband, Drew, is a licensed pastor who serves as senior pastor at the United Methodist Charge for Christ churches. They have four children and three grandchildren.

Gordon completed her undergraduate degree in human resources management and earned her master’s in management and leadership at Western Governors University. She earned a master’s of divinity degree last month from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

“I am really looking forward to not just serving the people of Bethel United Methodist Church, but serving the people of the community,” Gordon said. “We are not just appointed to the church, we are appointed to the community.”