Central Association churches join to help pastor’s wife

Central Baptist Association is more than an organization of local churches. With an idea conceived at the association’s recent pastors conference, it has become the very hands and feet of Christ as the churches rallied behind Pat Lindley, wife of deceased pastor Larry Lindley of Grimes Chapel Baptist Church, Sylacauga, in her time of need.
   
As he suffered from extensive heart problems during the last two years of his ministry, hospital costs and other medical expenses mounted. Larry Lindley had several bypass surgeries and a heart transplant on Christmas Day 2005. 
   
When complications from the transplant took his life Feb. 5, Central Association decided to hold a benefit in Pat Lindley’s honor. More than 400 people attended the March 25 event. It was a “special, uplifting time of encouragement and support” for her, according to John Marks, director of missions for Central Association. 
   
“Pat is a remarkably spiritual lady,” he said. “She has a strong faith and loves the Lord.”
   
All proceeds from the cake auction and the selling of concessions were presented to her to help with medical expenses incurred over the last few years. Also on the program were The Apostles, The Ambassadors, Sweet Spirit and Krissy King. 
   
“We focused on our love and support of Pat to uplift her and show her that her church and association love and respect her and that the people of those churches and community wanted to come together and let her know how much they love her,” said Marks’ wife, Maarah.
   
Just days before Larry Lindley suffered a heart attack, Maarah Marks was diagnosed with leukemia and given 10 days to live, which forged a close friendship between the two couples as they battled illnesses together.
   
“Pat is the most awesomely submissive woman and wife I have ever seen in my life,” Maarah Marks said. “She truly stood right by Larry and saw him through all the ins and outs and ups and downs of this journey.” 
   
Don Evans, pastor of Newsite Baptist Church, Sylacauga, was one of the pastors who helped organize the benefit and a good friend of Larry Lindley. “We had a lot of fun at the singing benefit and raised some money at the same time. Pat had so many medical expenses as well as funeral fees,” he said. “It was a real worship experience.”