Mount Auburn Church is blessed to be part of a global family of believers, and we are grateful for the faithful men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving the Lord across cultures and generations. One of those individuals is Lorna Chandler, whose life of service has touched communities around the world.
A Calling to Teach and Serve
Lorna Chandler grew up in Michigan, where her heart for teaching and helping others began to take shape. She spent six years teaching students who were blind, developing both her skills as an educator and her passion for serving people with compassion and patience.
In 1971, Lorna followed God’s leading to Haiti, where she began teaching the children of missionaries. This step marked the beginning of a lifetime of ministry beyond her home country.
Meeting Phil and Serving in Haiti
While serving in Haiti, Lorna met Phil Chandler, who was working with the OMS radio station, Radio 4VEH, sharing the gospel through broadcasting. The two married and continued serving together in Haiti until 1975, supporting both missionary families and local ministry through their work.
Years of Ministry in Taiwan
After their time in Haiti, the Chandlers moved to Taiwan, where they would serve for nearly 20 years. Lorna worked full-time at Morrison Academy in Taichung, a school dedicated to educating missionary children. Her role as a teacher helped provide stability and quality education to families serving in ministry across the region.
During her time in Taiwan, Lorna also spent a period teaching at a school for the blind, continuing the work that had first shaped her calling back in Michigan.
Serving Through Prayer and Support
In 1999, Phil and Lorna transitioned from overseas ministry to serving at OMS World Headquarters in Greenwood, where they joined the World Intercessors Department. Together, they helped produce a wide range of prayer resources designed to support individuals, churches, and prayer groups around the world.
Their work helped connect believers globally in prayer, strengthening ministries and encouraging missionaries through intentional intercession. Lorna continued in this role faithfully until Phil’s passing in 2017.
Continuing to Serve at Mount Auburn
Today, Lorna remains closely connected to the OMS community while also playing an active role in the life of Mount Auburn Church. She is especially involved in the Looking Up Life Group, where she continues to encourage others through fellowship, prayer, and shared faith.
If you see Lorna at church, take a moment to greet her and hear more about her experiences. She has many stories to share—from singing in the choir to teaching students who are blind, to the many ways she has served the Lord with gladness throughout her life.
Her journey is a reminder that a life devoted to Christ can take many forms, but each act of faithful service—whether in a classroom, a radio station, or a prayer ministry—has lasting impact in God’s kingdom.
Have you served in missions? We want to hear from you!
Over the next twelve months, we plan to highlight persons who represent a direct connection to God’s work in the mission field, and Mount Auburn missionaries in particular. We have a very long list, but since SO many members have been involved in missions, will you please help us make sure we don’t miss someone? Please contact Susan Porter (Missions Committee Chair) at missions@mountauburn.church if you are a missionary sent out from our congregation or who retired into our congregation. Please also let us know if you went on a Mission Trip, or if you have a connection to missions that we should share with the congregation for God’s glory.