In Memory of a Man of Faith: Reverend Pat Evans 1947-2005

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Immediately after NASCAR officials informed the competitors of the Whelen Modified Tour that the Twin 100s at Thompson had been postponed; Reverend Don Rivers stunned those in attendance with the news. 'About twenty minutes ago, Reverend Pat Evans went home to be with the Lord.' Reverend Dan Petfield made a similar announcement to the Busch North Series competitors.

Rev. Pat was laid to rest with full military honors in Griswold Cemetery on Thursday, June 16th. Both the wake and the service brought many people forward to share their memories of how Pat touched their lives. Many told of the respect they had for Pat for knowing what he believed and being passionate about communicating the Good News of the Gospel. I think Pat would have been humbled by the outpouring of feelings toward him.

Pat was a dedicated servant of our Lord. As we continue to remember Pat, please be in prayer for his family, Betty, Rob and his wife Wendy, Cheryl and her husband Brian and his grandson Josh.

REMEMBERING A FRIEND

It has been a while since Rev. Pat went home to the Lord. Over the past few weeks he has been on my heart. Pat’s wish was that the ministry he gave his heart and soul to would continue. Pat asked us to continue on with this ministry. We have. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Racing with Jesus Ministries was founded and nurtured by Pat for twenty-five years. He had a vision to bring Jesus to the racing community and to see lives changed by the love of Jesus. He was successful.  Racing with Jesus Ministries still reaches the racing community and provides the guidance and teaching only found in The Word of our Lord. Thank you for your vision Pat.

Pat broke down the barriers that existed. He opened doors that were shut and kept knocking even when no one would answer. Scripture tells us to seek, knock and ask and it will be given to us. Pat was tireless in this department. He used every avenue he could think of to reach the racing community for Christ.

Pat could not be confused with being conventional. What he was attempting to do required that you have to do things a little different. Let’s face it, bringing Jesus into the garage area of a race track wasn’t easy. It still isn’t, but because of the work of Pat Evans Jesus is present. Let me share an example.

At Thompson Speedway by the handicappers booth is a large shade tree. Under that tree is a bench honoring Rev. Pat Evans for 25 years of service to the racing community. You see, Pat used to hold chapel services under that tree and a driver, in his recent book, shared that he attended one of those services and it changed his life. In the next few weeks a couple of drivers and one of our chaplains will sit on that bench and work through some issues that they have. Rev. Pat will be there in spirit. He laid the ground work for such a meeting to take place. We are here because Pat cared so much that he dedicated his life to reaching racers.

Pat displayed a passion for what God called him to do. He didn’t hold anything back. He gave it his all. His life became racing and the friends he had were racers. Remember what we said about passion? When it has the right focus it can change people’s lives. Rev. Pat Evans changed the people’s lives. He was passionate about it and people respected him for it. They didn’t always agree, but they respected him for his commitment to the racing community.

Let me ask a question, do we have the same passion? Does our life display the same commitment to reaching out to others with the love of Christ that it should. Are we living in a way that honors God?

Jesus spent three years teaching and ministering to people. He came to show the love God has for us. So much love that he was willing to die for our sins. Jesus taught us the character and nature of God so that we would know what God looked like. He taught us so that we would know haw we should act and treat others. Jesus showed us that He is the way of Salvation and there is no other way. He left us with this command;

Jesus left the disciples with the charge to go and teach the world about him. A couple of thoughts to note about this passage; First, Jesus had the authority to command it. Look at the words he chose, all authority belonged to Him. When you have the authority to make the command than you can make the command. If you don’t the command is worthless. Jesus has the authority.

Second, the word “go” here means “in our daily life”. It doesn’t mean just on Sunday or when we feel like it. Jesus commanded us to teach and act like Him every moment of everyday that we live. This sounds like something we cannot possibly do, doesn’t it?

That is why Jesus said the third point; remember I am with you always. Two things come to mind, act like Jesus is always by our side and when you need strength and guidance turn to Jesus, He is at our side.

Let’s dwell here a moment. How many of us would change the way we live if we knew that Jesus was coming over to visit? We would all want time to get things in order, right? Too late, Jesus is by your side already. He didn’t say it if it wasn’t true. He is there. We need to remember that. We tend to act differently when someone is watching.

That being said, Jesus isn’t there to punish us, He is there to help us live. Live a life that enjoys the blessing of God. He is there to help us make the right choices. He is there to carry us through the difficult times. He is there. He cares for us. He loves us.

Pat left us the same charge, go and teach the racing community about Jesus and the love He has for them. Show them His love. Pat followed the instructions that Jesus gave. He wasn’t perfect, none of us are, but he didn’t let his imperfection become an excuse for not doing what God called him to do. We shouldn’t either.

Jesus walked beside Pat the way he walks beside us. Jesus has forgiven us for the times we fall short. Jesus is ready to carry us through the times when we are weak. When I think back on everything Pat gave to us because of his love of Jesus I can see Jesus in him. I can see Jesus walking beside him. I can see Jesus carrying him home.

Let Jesus be your strength. Let Him be your guide. Let Jesus be your Savior. God Bless, Rev. Don.

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