Ten Years and Counting
Diane Spriggs
Oak Park Baptist Church in Little Rock honored their pastor, Dr. Gary O’Neal and his wife, Lynn on May 5 at a reception marking their 10th anniversary with the church. In his opening remarks, Deacon Gene Harris told of the devastating loss of our pastor (his brother) David Harris and his 10-year-old granddaughter, Maci when their van was hit by a drunk driver on Jan. 1, 2013. He noted that several men of God ministered to our hurting church during that time, including the wonderful staff and Interim Pastor Joel Slayton. When the church was healed enough to begin their search for a new pastor, other great men of God applied for the position. However, Bro. Gary, who is from Mississippi, wasn’t originally one of them. His name was submitted by another pastor, he was eventually called with a 97% vote of the church and the rest is history.
At the reception, in addition to a three-table charcuterie board and special cake, other events included a poem by Deacon Royce Stewart, comments by Paulette Jones and the reading of a few of the “favorite memory” cards that were completed that day by various members and friends. The presentation of gifts by Christy Warren and Deacon Tommy Walker included one for each year (according to the traditional anniversary gifts list) and concluded with the presentation of a $10,000 donation from the church members for the 10th year. The other gifts included:
Year 1 (Paper) — Roll of paper towels and package of toilet paper; Year 2 (Cotton) — a set of towels; Year 3 (Leather) — and leather-bound journal for each of them; Year 4 (Flowers) — a pot of flowers to transplant to their yard; Year 5 (Wood) — a charcuterie board; Year 6 (Candy) — a jar of candy (after a church member sauntered up, chewing on a piece of candy and handing them a bag filled with only empty wrappers); Year 7 (Wool) — a blanket handmade by Kim Burnside; Year 8 (Bronze) — a bronze tie clasp with Bro. Gary’s initials on it; and Year 9 (Pottery) — a small pottery tray.
Obviously surprised and blessed, Bro. Gary simply said, “Thank you all. My heart is overflowing, and I love you all.”