Zero visibility fog, a steady rain and unseasonably cool temperatures did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of more than 55 well-wishers who gathered at Lookout Mountain Tennessee for a surprise good-bye dinner for CBMC Executive Director Patrick O’Neal.
In the weeks leading up to the highly classified event, no less than 9 people “almost” blew the surprise but through it all, Patrick didn’t have a clue. His wonderful wife Tina was recruited weeks prior, to provide over 70 photos of Patrick and the family that were used in two memorable slide presentations, one of which was set to one of Patrick’s favorite Christian songs: "Who Am I" by Counting Crowns.
A number of board members and individuals from the national management resource team stood to thank Patrick for his service and every one of the expressions were filled with love and admiration for what this man brought to our ministry. “I will never forget what your leadership and friendship have meant to my wife Kathy and I,” said Mark Hofert. “Your faithfulness to what Jesus asked of you is something I will never, ever forget,” offered Steve Casbon. Former board chairman mark Bundy recalled, “Your road was not always smooth but the way you led our ministry through the difficult times is something I will always appreciate.”
Before the evening concluded, Steve Trice, current CBMC Chairman of the Board offered a poignant memory of what Patrick has meant to him over the years and then presented a beautiful proclamation to him that not only chronicled Patrick’s 5 years as Executive Director, but also proclaimed him as President Emeritus of CBMC.
The evening was punctuated with laughter, tears, and hugs all around and before the curtain came down Patrick’s wife Tina walked to the podium and thanked her husband for what he has meant to her and to their family by saying, “Pat, I don’t know what else to say but thank you honey, for allowing me to come along on this fantastic journey. Your love for Jesus has taught me so much.” And then it was Pat’s turn to try and talk. With a noticeable lump in his throat and water-filled eyes he said, “You have all meant the world to Tina and me. Through the tough times and the great times each of you has shown me how to be a better man and a more effective disciple of Jesus Christ.”
Five years ago, CBMC was upside down and in trouble on a number of fronts. The very survival of the ministry was at stake and difficult choices were a constant companion of Patrick O’Neal. Personnel changes, belt tightening, reassessing initiatives and realigning projects were all things that required the finite attention of the new Executive Director; so much for the honeymoon stage of Patrick’s reign. Board member Sam Hwang recalling those days reflected, “Patrick O’Neal didn’t have an easy go of it early on, but he was absolutely the best man for where we were.” And Bill McAvinney summed it all up beautifully when he said, “I didn’t always agree with Patrick, but I will never forget what he did for this ministry at a time when unpopular decisions needed to be made.”
As Patrick and Tina made their way through the throng of well wishers, one man said under his breath, “God bless that man.”
CBMC will not soon forget Patrick O’Neal’s smile, his enthusiasm and his gentle way of helping each of us love Christ just a little bit more.
