“Who died?” Donna asked upon seeing me in a suit.
“Nobody. I just heard there were some openings in accounting and I’ve got some pretty mean spreadsheet skills so I figured while I’m in town I’d hit up human resources.”
“Wess will never recognize you. You have to mess up your hair before you get on stage.”
But of course it was superglued to my head so… Out on stage I went, looking like a CPA/televangelist. Michael struck the first notes of the evening on piano and with a nod nudged Rebecca to begin. Geoff smiled knowingly beside me, laughing to himself because Danny and I had no idea what to do with our hands. I miss my guitar.
We gathered to celebrate Wess’s decades as Compassion International’s president and witness the passing of the baton to his successor, Santiago Jimmy Mellado. To honor one legacy and take the first step with our new leader into the future.
To me, Wess is more than the president of the organization I work for.
When I met Wess for the first time I was just using him to get a free breakfast (only half joking). I was a skeptic then – about everything really. I was more passionate than wise, more eager to speak than listen, more critical than teachable. In a word? Arrogant.
But Wess was gracious. He patiently taught me not only about Compassion’s ministry model and history but about scripture, missiology – and with the most riveting stories from his childhood in Africa. I walked away from that first breakfast together humbled, my skepticism riddled by the quick education, willing to go and see Compassion’s work in the developing world for myself.
I saw. I was convinced. And I haven’t shut up about it since.
Over the years Wess has prayed, encouraged, cheered me on as I travel the world with women I meet on the internet. He’s taught me how to spend time with God; he’s told me when I’ve been wrong, counseled me when I lost my faith and almost all hope. He’s allowed me to question him, to watch him, to learn from him…and made me laugh a lot…usually at my own expense.
Saturday night the stage – the entire room – was filled with people Wess has invested himself in. We celebrated a life well-lived and all the good fruit that’s grown from it around the world and in us. And every act of the evening a surprise to Wess, who had to be running short on tissues by the time his half of the program was over.
And then we heard from President Mellado for the first time. I haven’t met him yet. But I hope someday to know him at least well enough to comfortably call him Jimmy…and have my haircut insulted in return.
You can watch the whole celebration, hear Wess’ final speech and our new president’s first below or here.
If you sponsor a child through Compassion International you may be particularly interested in hearing our new president answer the question “What will change about Compassion?” in his speech which begins at 1:45:00.
All photographs by the very talented Michael Patterson.
Kris says:
Thank you for sharing this, Shaun. I tried to watch the live streaming but had technical difficulties plus 4 kids soooo, I am looking forward to watching this later.
ps: Glad someone snapped a photo of you in a suit–it could be a long time before that happens again, eh? ๐ long live the plaid button down shirt! *grin*
Shaun Groves says:
Amen.
Jill Foley says:
Thanks for sharing this. I watched some of the celebration, but could only catch glimpses every now and then since we were celebrating my husband’s 40th birthday. I didn’t get to see any of the music so I’ll be watching it this week.
Kelli says:
I watched the live stream for about thirty minutes the other night and the FIRST thing I said to Lee when I turned it on was, “Shaun’s wearing a suit!” And then we chuckled.
But we didn’t laugh long. It looked like a beautiful tribute. I’ve never met Wess, but I have so much admiration for his work with Compassion and what he’s done with that ministry. I’m so glad you got to be part of that night, and that we get to be part of it by watching! ๐
NancyTyler says:
It’s been so cool watching you move into the Compassion world over the years. Makes me praise God, seeing the way He uses you.
Melissa Jones says:
“…women you meet on the internet…” – that literally made me LOL. I didn’t quite snort, but I wasn’t far from it.
Vicki says:
I tried so hard to watch it live, but LiveStream just does not like anything about my computer! No matter what I tried, I couldn’t get it to work, and I still can’t. I sure hope somebody (hint!) puts the whole thing up on YouTube. Or GodTube. Someplace that doesn’t involve LiveStream!
Wess is the best, really, truly. And I really and truly believe Jimmy shares the same heart. I haven’t met him, but I trust him to lead well.
Joy says:
My husband and I watched the entire celebration and loved it! I went to bed that night feeling comforted by the high level of honesty, integrity and faith that permeated the 2+ hours. (and it WAS fun to see you in a suit!)
Larry says:
I said to my wife (Joy), “Look at Shaun; he has no idea what to do with his hands…and he’s wearing a suit…and his hair is slicked back. I bet he is missing his guitar.” I enjoyed seeing you outside of your comfort zone. But I do enjoy your regular self, the guy I’ve met at a few intimate concerts in Minneapolis. Good on ya, brother, for helping to honor a man who has made such a difference and has been such an inspiration to so many people. I’m sure you and “Jimmy” will hit it off in grand fashion when the time comes.
Kit says:
Excited to watch this! I wish I could have just go to the event because Compassion is relatively close to me… but it’s still a tad too far, especially with a big flood in between.
Michael Patterson says:
Watching live and in person I didn’t even notice any awkwardness about what to do with your hands. I couldn’t see beyond the suit! Thanks for putting my pictures here… closest I’ll ever get to being a successful “mom blogger.”
Shaun Groves says:
You did a GREAT job, Michael!
Jolanthe says:
Excited to watch this a little later and hear all that happened over the night. And I have to admit, seeing you in a suit made me grin. ๐ Thanks so much for sharing the link – looking forward to seeing all that is to come with Compassion in the years to come.
Yvonne says:
I loved everything about the celebration, just wish I had been there to experience it personally. And yes, at first I wasn’t sure that was even you Shaun up there on stage!