Ten Years and Counting
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.”
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Diane Spriggs
Diane joined the Baptist Trumpet staff on Jan. 2, 1980, as a “temporary, part-time typesetter” and was named editor/business manager by the BMA of Arkansas on Nov. 3, 2005. “I had no idea what an adventure awaited me when God brought me to the Trumpet so many years ago,” said Diane. “I am truly blessed to serve my Lord in the best job a girl can have in the BMA!”
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Diane Spriggs
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Diane joined the Baptist Trumpet staff Jan. 2, 1980 as a “temporary, part-time typesetter” and was named editor/business manager by the BMA of Arkansas on Nov. 3, 2005. “I had no idea what an adventure awaited me when God brought me to the Trumpet so many years ago,” said Diane. “I am truly blessed to serve my Lord in the best job a girl can have in the BMA!”
She was saved in October 1959 at Park Place Baptist Church, and is now a member of Oak Park Baptist Church in Little Rock, where she is part of the sanctuary choir and the Pairs & Spares Sunday School class.
On April 14, 1967, Diane married “the love of her life,” Pat, and they have two children and two children-in-love: Robert Patrick “Bobby” & Jennifer (Mollette) Spriggs of Sherwood, and Trina Michelle & Keith Medlock of Cabot. The “lights of her life” are her grandchildren: Baleigh Ann (Garrett) Spriggs, Hunter Wayne Medlock and Savana Michelle Medlock; and her great-grandson, Lincoln David Barham.
Diane retired on Nov. 5, 2020 after serving almost 41 years on the Trumpet staff, the last 15 as editor. As the first official action of Executive Editor Jeff Herring, she was named Editor Emeritus to honor her time with the ministry she truly loves and will continue to serve and help in any way she can. She is available to speak at women’s conferences, district meetings, churches, etc.
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