IN
MEMORY OF A MAN OF FAITH
by Walter Newcomb
Sunday afternoon 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.
Monday evening I spoke with Rev. Rivers. ‘Walt, you
know that Pat would have wanted NASCAR to call a meeting to make that
announcement.’ Said Rivers. I can’t believe that I find myself in tears
and laughter again. In all of the sorrow that we feel over the loss of
such a great friend, isn’t it amazing that we find something humorous in
the middle of tragedy.
Reverend Pat started Racing With Jesus Ministries,
The Racer’s Church in 1980. For over twenty-five years he traversed the
world of racing spreading the word of the Lord. In the early days of his
ministry, Rev. Pat held his Victory Chapel whether there was anyone
there to hear him or not. The Lord told him that was where he should be
and he stepped out on faith and did it.
Because of his faith the ministry grew to not only
serve the Modified competitors as it had originally started but the
Busch North Series and spawned a myriad of track chaplains across the
northeast. In addition RWJM associates spread the word of God from coast
to coast and series chaplains started coming out of the woodwork in many
parts of the country.
During that time the RWJM pace car became one of
the most visible pace cars in the U.S. Reverend Pat would hit the road
for long trips and share the word everywhere. Sometimes that meant he
might have a conflict. It was at those times that he asked for a little
help.
‘Hey Walt, what are you doing next Saturday?’ Rev.
Pat once asked me. I told him that I was going to Holland for the Tour
race there. ‘Good deal’, he continued ‘I have a conflict with the Busch
North race next weekend and Rev. Dan will be out of town, how would you
like to do the Victory Chapel up there?’
I was reluctant to do it at first but it all turned
out great. People actually turned out to hear what I had to say. When
Jamie Tomaino told Pat how well he thought I had done, Pat signed me up
for a couple more. I think that year I did the same at Stafford and
Nazareth for the Busch North teams. Pat had given me opportunities to
share the word and no one got hit by lightning.
Things weren’t always easy for Reverend Pat. There
were occasions that some track operators didn’t want the ministry to
operate on their premises. Reverend Pat always seemed to find a way.
There were times that Victory Chapel was held in parking lots to avoid
controversy. Other times competitors came to Rev. Pat’s aid.
Long before we heard those asking for God’s
protection for our troops by those giving an invocation at National
events, Pat had made it part of his regular prayers. Evans had served in
the Navy and never seemed to forget to recognize anyone for their
military service. Had there been a Tour event on May 21st and
Pat could have attended, he would have reminded us that it was Armed
Forces Day.
Reverend Pat didn’t just talk the talk when it came
to the Lord; he walked the walk. When he was first stricken with cancer
he had faith that he would be healed. Evans cancer went into remission
last year and he held what was arguably one of his best services at
Thompson upon his return.
Towards the end there were challenges with
insurance companies over what would or would not be covered. Despite the
escalating debt, Reverend Pat kept the faith. He would probably say in
reference to his early demise that the Lord had something more important
for him to do elsewhere.
Pat was the kind of person who could change the
kind of day someone was having with just a smile, a handshake or a pat
on the back. Some might have thought that the RWJM was just a way for
Pat to supplement his income. I will assure anyone who asks that his
Racer’s Church normally ran at a deficit that was usually filled out of
Evans’ back pocket. He didn’t do it for money; he did it because it was
what the Lord wanted him to do. He did it because it was right.
Reverend Pat is survived by his wife Betty.
Arrangements for Rev. Pat Evans
Calling hours will be at:
Dougherty Brothers Funeral Home
595 Norwich Road, Rt. 12
Plainfield, CT 06374
(860) 564-2296
Wednesday evening from 6-9 pm
Memorial service will be at:
Quinabaug Valley Alliance Church
Rt. 169
Canterbury, CT.
Thursday at 10:00 am with a service at the Griswold Cemetery to follow.
A reception will follow at the VFW Hall in Jewett City, CT.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made for the
continued support of the ministry Rev. Pat started:
Racing with Jesus Ministries.
20 Good Win Road
Canterbury, CT 06331
Source: Walter
Newcomb/LongIslandJam.com
Posted: June
14, 2005
