Graham Gore has been a pastor for much of the second half of his 80 years. The first half was quite unlike that of most pastors and it has influenced his approach to life and to his spiritual calling. In a conversation in our home, just prior to his retirement in mid-June he said, “Before becoming a pastor, I worked for an automotive dealership in the parts department. I drank too much and developed into an alcoholic. I smoked 2 to 3 packs a day. It wasn’t an uplifting lifestyle and my first marriage ended in divorce.”

Alcohol and tobacco ruled his life for many years, but they lost their power over him in one day. “It happened when I came to Jesus,” he said. Holding a cup of Linda’s coffee he emphasized, “I’m not a a recovered alcoholic. I’m a delivered alcoholic.” His previous neighbour across the street sometimes called Graham over for a beer. If he had the time, Graham would accept the invitation, but he always refused a second one. “I have no desire for more,” he said. He considered the one beer a common ground with his Harley riding neighbour.

After the divorce, Graham married Myrtle. He found God, studied for the ministry and became a pastor. Four years before settling in Hedley, they bought a camperized Greyhound bus and joined a traveling evangelism team holding meetings across Canada. When their home on wheels was demolished in an accident August 2002, they bought a home in Hedley.

“Prior to the evangelism team, I had pastored in two places and I was weary,” he said. “I didn’t want to attend church here, but I went because Myrtle wanted to go.” He was soon asked to pastor the local church and was surprised to discover the experience invigorated him spiritually.

Graham was willing to give time and energy to the greater community. When the fire department needed members with a licence endorsement to drive the fire truck, Graham agreed to join. Endowed with leadership ability, people came to trust him. “I was asked to become manager of the fire department and I agreed to do it for one year,” he said. “I found it enjoyable and carried on until about a year ago. I worked hard to raise the level of professionalism and to stay within the budget.”

In church, Myrtle played the piano and organ and was generous with smiles, hugs and welcoming words. Although she was never in the forefront in the community, Graham deeply values her inner strength and resolve. “Myrtle teaches me to be more gracious,” he said. “She is a tremendous encouragement to me and often gives me the incentive when I don’t feel like doing something.”

I have at times heard Graham described as “pastor to the community.” For Linda and me an early experience with his ministry style came when our car was totaled by an impatient driver on Highway 3. We had been in his church a few times but didn’t know him well. He showed up at the crash site and said, “I’ll deliver you and your things to your home. Tomorrow I’ll take you to Penticton to arrange for a vehicle.” He cheerfully followed through on this the next day but refused any compensation, even for gas.

When I wanted to shovel his driveway in winter he said, “No, don’t do that. I want to hire a young fellow to do that.” It was his way of encouraging a young man who had known mostly failure and rejection.

As a community we have come to depend on Graham for marriages and celebrations of life. He has conducted the Hedley Improvement District elections. For many years, he has been the M.C. at Remembrance Day ceremonies. When someone needed a ride to Penticton for a medical appointment, Graham has said many times, “I’ll do it.” He enthusiastically supported a yearly church bottle drive to send Hedley kids to Camp Tulahead. He often said, “We never turn anyone away.”

To be close to the congregation, Graham long ago relegated the church pulpit to an obscure corner in another room. His only financial compensation has been a modest annual honorarium. “My caring for the community is motivated by my love for God and for people,” he said. “Being a pastor here has been very fulfilling. Myrtle and I are really going to miss Hedley.”