Praying for Tom

In January of 1989 Dr. Bill Tinsley, Director of Missions for Denton County Baptist Association and an old friend, dropped by my office at Northway Baptist Church to ask me to pray about starting a new church in the growing area where Denton, Dallas and Collin Counties converged. One of the first persons I told this to was my long-time friend, Tom McIntyre.  So that as things continued, the first couple I sat down with to ask if they'd consider being a part was... Tom and Rita McIntyre.  I met them in their home on Briargrove, the one they still live in, and Tom said, 'yes,' but agreed - upon Rita's urging, that they would pray about it first.

That was Tom, both then and now. For he was never one to labor too long over any decision, major OR minor.  When he decided to marry Rita, after years of being a staunch single adult, he did - as quick as he could.  And... when he decided to help launch a new church, he  did that too, as quick as he could.

Tom's home was the place we held our first 'Core Group' gathering. It was Tom's business that housed our church for its first 6 months - calling it, affectionately, "Car Church".  And it was Tom and Rita who led the way in mission spirit by being first to say, 'children matter' - as much, if not more, than we adults - and have lived to show this by serving as 5th and 6th grade SMBS teachers for the past 21 years.

Every year Tom would dress up as 'Santa Claus', then invite all the PHBC children to come to his home to see him (Santa), with no one knowing, or perhaps daring to ask, "where's Tom?"  And every year - Sunday after Sunday - Tom and Rita would come faithfully to church. If in town, they'd be at THEIR CHURCH, always expecting God to do something great, and HE DID.

Over 15 years ago Tom and Rita began to feed the homeless with a friend he'd met from Park Cities Baptist Church. Today, that friend has gone home to be with Jesus, and Tom and Rita have carried this ministry on. A ministry where 1000s of homeless know that Jesus loves them because Tom does.

Today Tom and Rita finished their Saturday run on the Katy Trail. Tom had run it every day this week, logging 52 miles, but today he ran it with Rita.  As they drove up the alley toward their garage and home, Tom suffered a major heart attack. Rita administered all the CPR methods she could, garnering instruction from the 911 operator until Paramedics could arrive - and, once there, the medics worked with Tom to attain some response.  Now, Tom is in the hospital where the best team available is working to save his life. The next days are critical.  His heart and pulse must stabilize - and they will monitor all activity, including the brain, for the next hours before proceeding with any next steps or surgery.

So what can you do?  Well, I have been a pastor for 23 years - and Tom was my first parishioner.  I love Tom but am convinced that God loves him even more. Selfishly I want him to live.  I want to see him on the 'back row' of ParkwayHills again.  And I want to travel with him off I-30, in  near south Dallas, to pass out food and the love of Christ to those without a home.  So, tonight, I am praying for Tom McIntyre, and ask if you might join me in the same. Adding this, that God loves us all.  That He hears our prayer. And that the prayers of a righteous man avail much.

God is in charge, of this I am certain. But He also wants us - instructs us - to pray.  So... this I do.

Your pastor, praying...


Pastor Sam