Personnel - startingfresh.net

Gordon Penfold was born in 1950 in Denver, Colorado. He was raised in a very moral family that attended a “church” regularly. In the middle of his senior year of High School Gordon became so disenchanted with the “church” that he vowed never to attend church again. But in 1969 during his freshman year at Colorado State University Gordon clearly heard the Gospel for the first time in his life and placed his faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Sin-bearer. The men who led him to the Lord invited him to church. Gordon replied, “I’m sorry I can’t go with you. I made a promise to God to never go to Church again.” They replied, “God won’t mind if you break that promise!” Gordon attended church with them and saw what a real church could be like. He was captivated by the ministry and immediately began to immerse himself the in ministry of First Baptist Church of Fort Collins.

Gordon completed his studies at CSU with a B.S. (1972) and M.S. (1973) in Engineering. His goal was to become a consulting structural engineer. However, after graduation Gordon began to sense the Lord leading him into full time ministry. His desire to build buildings and bridges that were temporary paled in comparison to building people who will live forever. He and his family moved to Dallas in 1977 where Gordon furthered his theological training at Dallas Seminary. Gordon has served as a pastor since 1980. He is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry program at Talbot Seminary, in La Mirada, California.

Gordon began to work with Bob Humphrey of Fresh Start in 2003. Since 2003 multiple churches have contacted Gordon for assistance in dealing with the problems of conflict and declining attendance. It was obvious that the Lord was leading once again in a change in direction. In 2006 he resigned from his full time position as Senior Pastor to devote himself to Fresh Start. However, in June 2007 Gordon assumed the duties as pastor of First Baptist Church, Holyoke, Colorado. The church has become a partner with Gordon in Fresh Start. What a great encouragement this church has been in the demanding ministry.

Gordon and Beth have three grown children and one grandson.