ANTHONY, KAN. — Kevin Patterson stepped through a door when he began preaching in August 1995.
An accounting graduate from Abilene Christian University in Texas, Patterson left his life as a bank auditor and stockbroker in Dallas to accept a full-time preaching position for a little Church of Christ in this tiny farming community.
Over the next 30 years, Kevin would serve faithfully as a located preacher for congregations in Missouri and Florida.
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On Sept. 11, 2023, Kevin would step toward another door — but not in a way he would understand at the time.
It was on that day that his wife, Sheri, received the haunting diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Kevin and Sheri Patterson pose for a photo in Hawaii.
It was the same incurable illness that had taken her mother’s life 26 years earlier at the very age Sheri was at the time. It had robbed her middle brother of his life as well, in 2012.
Knowing the family history of two years between diagnosis and death, Kevin made plans to take his “sweetie” and travel the country teaching and preaching while seeing as many family and friends as possible.
With her ever-infectious smile, Sheri called it her “See you later!” tour.
After four months on the road, Kevin bought and modified a van to make life and travel easier. In July 2024 alone, the couple spent 35 days away from their home in Sebring, Fla., driving more than 5,000 miles through 11 different states.
“Of all the sermons I have preached from the pulpit, none have been as effective as the sermon of faith for the Christian’s future proclaimed loudly every day through the life of my wife.”
Kevin taught and preached nearly 30 Bible lessons for 10 different congregations along the way, while Sheri hugged everyone in sight with her unwavering love and inspirational joy.
“Of all the sermons I have preached from the pulpit, none have been as effective as the sermon of faith for the Christian’s future proclaimed loudly every day through the life of my wife,” Kevin said.
Then, another door opened.
Kevin Patterson preaches at the Tuskawilla Church of Christ in Florida.
Throughout their travels, Kevin had noticed an alarming number of Churches of Christ struggling to keep their doors open. They often lacked members who felt qualified to teach or preach, while small attendance and limited funds attracted few to aid them.
Like the Macedonian of Acts 16:9, these believers were crying out for help, but no one seemed to be listening until Kevin and Sheri decided to answer the call.
Kevin would not return to local pulpit ministry, instead stepping through that open door of nomadic ministry.
By raising support from other evangelism-minded Christians, under the oversight of the Church of Christ in Eagle Lake, Fla., Kevin made it his new mission to serve churches in need without placing a financial burden on them.
Kevin and Sheri Patterson pose with members of the Poinciana Church of Christ in Florida.
In just 10 months, the Pattersons visited some 50 congregations throughout the U.S. In Alaska and Hawaii alone, they served three churches over a period of 18 weeks. On their return home from their travels in late December, Kevin and Sheri made a detour from the Sunshine State and landed in Kansas, bringing them back to where it all began.
The Anthony Church of Christ had put together a time capsule at the end of 1999 — while Kevin preached there — for the start of the new millennium. The capsule was opened after 25 years, on New Year’s Eve 2024, with the Pattersons present.
Kevin and Sheri visit with the Anthony Church of Christ for the opening of its 25-year time capsule.
Items in the capsule included a Bible, an issue of The Anthony Republican newspaper with Kevin’s weekly article in it, pictures from the past and letters from church members and friends. A few of the letters from members who had since passed were read aloud.
But the experience was bittersweet. Many realized during this happy celebration that it was likely the last time they would see Sheri this side of heaven, yet she was quick to point out that her future looks far better than her present — and theirs could, too, if they also hold their faith firm in Christ Jesus.
Soon, if Sheri precedes Kevin in death, he will walk through another door but will have no choice in doing so. It will lead to a life without his wife of nearly 33 years by his side, but it will also lead to the fullness of a ministry Kevin never planned. Sheri has asked him to continue their ministry even after she is gone.
TO CONTRIBUTE to the Pattersons in their evangelistic efforts, please send your support to the Eagle Lake Church of Christ, P.O. Box 582, Eagle Lake, FL 33839. Note the PATTERSON EVANGELISM FUND on the memo portion of your check. Additional information and photos can also be seen on Facebook. If you would like to reach Kevin directly, you may e-mail him at [email protected].
Filed under: ALS death Features Illness Lou Gehrig’s Disease minister shortage National News People preacher shortage rural churches Terminal illness Top Stories
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