March 9 Today in OPC History

On March 9, 1935, OPC pastor and church planter Jonathan Male was born to the Rev. and Mrs. W. Benson Male. The oldest of seven children, Jonathan was fond of claiming that he was kissed as a baby by J. Gresham Machen. After graduation from Calvin College in 1957 and Westminster Theological Seminary in 1960, Male was ordained to the gospel ministry on April 5, 1961 and installed as the organizing pastor of Bethel OPC, Grand Junction, Colorado. Male served as home missionary and organizing pastor for Lake Sherwood OPC, Lake Sherwood, FL from 1963–1970, the OPC of Abilene, Texas from 1971–1981, and South Valley OPC, San Jose, CA from 1981–1991.

Known for his witnessing for Christ, Male’s passion was in building up new churches that were self-supporting. He was also firmly committed to Christian education and nurtured practical spiritual growth in young people with mountain hikes and retreats.

In 1991, he was installed as pastor of Park Hill OPC, Denver, the same congregation that his father had pastored in the OPC. Although suffering from cancer, Male continued to preach and minister to the Park Hill congregation. His last sermon, “Child of Hope,” from Isaiah 9:6–7, was preached on December 15, 1996, ten days before his death.

Picture: Jonathan, Merry and Christine Male in 1970 with Merry's mother, Mrs. Dykema.