Former UCC Administrator Passes Away

By Dustin R. Jones, MA

UCC Director of Communications

Gordon Pifher, former vice president of administration for Upper Columbia Conference, passed away early Friday morning, October 9, after a brief illness. Pifher spent his career in ministry in the Adventist Church, retiring in 2021 as vice president for media ministries for the North American Division.

“Gordon was an amazing person and an extraordinary leader who was passionate about his Savior Jesus and able to make his faith in God attractive to others,” said David Jamieson, president of Upper Columbia Conference.

Pifher was born and raised in Paris, Ontario, Canada, and served as pastor and assisted with evangelism in the Maritime Conference from 1972-1976. Following that, he accepted a call to be associate pastor at Oshawa College Park Church in Ontario, chaplain for Kingsway College, and lead pastor at Bowmanville Church. Pifher then worked at Ontario Conference as youth director, helping develop Pathfinder and Adventurer youth and camp ministries from 1979 to 1985.

He then moved to Upper Columbia Conference, Spokane, Washington, where he served as director of youth and Camp MiVoden for the conference before moving to Walla Walla University Church (then college) as associate pastor for youth. From 1997 to 2005, Pifher served as the vice president for administration for UCC. In 2005, he was elected president of British Columbia Conference. Under his leadership, British Columbia became one of the fastest growing conferences in North America.

In 2011, Pifher accepted an invitation from the North Pacific Union Conference as director of stewardship, leadership, and creative ministries. He was again called to service in 2014, as vice president for media ministries at North American Division. There, Pifher was responsible for developing and implementing a media ministry strategy for all such ministries across a territory that included the United States, Canada, Bermuda, Guam, and Micronesia. As part of his work as NAD vice president, he served as president of Breath of Life, Faith for Today, It is Written, Voice of Prophecy, La Voz De La Esperanza, Jesus 101, and Lifetalk Radio.

After his retirement in 2021, Pifher and his wife, Marie, returned to the Northwest to be closer to their daughter Ginger. Pifher served on several boards in Upper Columbia Conference, including Renew Spokane and Shine 104.9 FM. He was an active member at Spokane South Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church before his passing. 

A celebration of life service has been scheduled for November 15 at Spokane Valley Church.

Please remember Gordon’s wife Marie, and daughter Ginger, in your prayers as they await the soon return of Jesus our Blessed Hope.