JourneyOnline
Australian Prime Minister John Howard described the Rev the Hon Dr Gordon Moyes as “the epitome of effective Christian leadership” at a farewell dinner held in honour of the Wesley Mission Superintendent in Sydney last night.
Mr Howard thanked Dr Moyes for “27 years of faithful achieving and dedicated service to the people of Australia and most particularly to the people of Sydney.”
Dr Moyes leaves Wesley Mission on December 31 after 27 years as the head of Wesley Mission. He will continue to serve as an MLC in the Upper House of the NSW Parliament until 2011.
In the first of two public farewells, hundreds of dignitaries, business leaders, politicians and Wesley Mission supporters gathered at the Westin Hotel to pay tribute to Dr Moyes as a leader, communicator and social crusader.
"The example of Gordon Moyes is a combination of a very deep Christian faith, worked through in a practical common sense and as circumstances have required hard-headed fashion, but always having as his goal the spreading of the Christian message," Mr Howard said.
“And what I particularly salute is the way in which Dr Moyes has led the Wesley Mission to an understanding of the need for the church, in its various outreaches to the community to change and adapt whilst retaining a deep connection with the fundamentals of the Christian religion.
“The way in which the Wesley Mission was prepared to involve itself in the development of the Job Network which replaced the old Commonwealth Employment Service, the way in which the Wesley Mission was willing to be involved in work-for-the-dole programmes, the way in which the Wesley Mission, in so many facets, involved itself in what I have called the social coalition in our community – where governments and welfare organisations, generous business men and women and passionate, devoted individuals work together to challenge life’s social problems.
“He’s remained true and steadfast and stoic to the fundamentals of our Christian faith. But he’s also somebody who has constantly renewed the message and has constantly related to the circumstances of the time in a way that has maintained his position of authority and respect in the community.
“He is the epitome of effective Christian leadership in Australia’s largest city.”
Mr Howard pledged $20,000 towards the Gordon Moyes Scholarship Foundation, which will enable students to study at the Sydney-based Wesley Institute.
Wesley Mission Secretary Dr David Greatorex paid tribute to Dr Moyes ability “to find the common ground” and communicate effectively with individuals, and mass audiences through his radio and television programs.
“Gordon preaches with fervour and conviction,” he said.
Dr Moyes had written seven books and dozens of booklets; produced, directed and narrated 46 films and preached 15,000 sermons in 25 countries.
During his time as Superintendent, Wesley Mission had grown to include 150 properties, 350-400 leased properties, aged care for 2000 people, a nursing service for another 1000 people, 55 employment centres to help people into work and an annual expenditure of $150 million, Dr Greatorex said.
The success of this growth had “stemmed from Gordon’s vision and ability to communicate this vision at all levels: local, state and federal governments.”
For a parish minister of the Uniting Church he had “punched above his weight”, he said.
Wesley Mission Treasurer Dr Jim Pendlebury talked of the “competent and confident 40 year old” whom he first met during the selection process to replace the Rev Dr Sir Alan Walker as Superintendent in 1977.
He described Dr Moyes as a leader “who was willing to do what is right, despite the cost” and who had “a kaleidoscope of gifts and skills.”
In the “high plateau of his many contributions”, Dr Moyes greatest contribution was “his unswerving vision of what a church of Jesus Christ should be and his leadership by example”, Dr Pendlebury said.
The evening was interspersed with a short but extensive documentary covering Dr Moyes’s life and ministry at Wesley Mission.
In response to the Prime Minister and keynote speakers, Dr Moyes thanked his wife Beverley and his children and grand-children for their love, dedication, commitment and support.
Dr Moyes thanked the corporate sector for “financially underlying the success of Wesley Mission” and for the contribution of senior Wesley Mission managers, and the encouragement of loyal Sunday Night Live radio listeners and viewers of his Turn ‘Round Australia show on Channel 9 – the network’s longest running program apart from the evening news.
Despite its shortcomings the Christian church remained a great ark “able to save us in times of overwhelming flood.” Evangelism was and remains his great passion.
“Essentially I am evangelist: I just want to tell people about Jesus Christ,” he told the audience. “To be an evangelist is the greatest privilege.”
During his speech, Dr Moyes introduced the Rev Keith and Carol Garner. The Rev Garner is the Superintendent Elect, who begins his tenure in January 2006.
Photo : Rev Dr Gordon Moyes
