GordonMoyes.com

The first few months of 1985 were filled as usual with Gordon’s flying visits here and there. The word `flying’ is used advisedly. Every week found him lecturing in some place other than Sydney.

Gordon’s nature led to him being a compulsive planner. Seldom did he rush into anything that had not been preceded by many hours of prayer and thoughtful deliberation. His 1981 aim was to make Wesley Central Mission keep pace with his dreams for its growth.

Finances occupied Rev Gordon Moyes’ attention soon after he took charge of the Wesley Central Mission. The Church owned two acres of prime real-estate in the heart of Sydney’s central business district but instead of it being an asset it was a liability.

No organization functions without its red tape and Wesley Central Mission was no exception. “He’s not a Methodist, how can he play a leading role in the Methodist Church?” demanded the die-hards.

For the Moyes family 1977 began much the same as usual. After the frantic activity of Yuletide with its choirs and concerts and children’s programmes, came a little respite while they vacationed in Sydney—at the request of the Rev Alan Walker.

With two large retirement villages successfully operating and plans in hand for a third, Gordon looked for new ways in which his church could serve the community.

Eighty churchmen attended Gordon’s `Summer School for Successful Ministry’ his first major engagement in 1976. They chose from a variety of subjects taught simultaneously during the day. Evening lectures covered subjects of universal concern. Widely advertised in church papers around Australia, the week-long school included meals and accommodation and cost $45.

Life in the Moyes’ household was not without excitement. Apart from family achievements such as Andrew beginning school and Jenny learning to ride a bicycle `no hands,’ there were the wider interests that concerned the church members—Mrs Jones’ expected new baby turning out to be twins.

For some years Gordon had wondered how ministers of various denominations in America were able to care for huge congregations. How did the minister of the Crystal Cathedral, for instance, maintain his huge congregation? How did others care for congregations that numbered 3,000 and sometimes 4,000?

When baby Andrew Moyes arrived on the 4th of January, 1970, speculation was rife. Was it sheer coincidence, or indisputable evidence of Gordon’s superb planning ability, that each of the Moyes’ children arrived at 2 1/2 year intervals? Andrew proved to be the last of the tribe, rounding off the occupants of the manse to a neat half dozen.