The Rev. Tom Oates

Tom Oates

Pastor

Grace Church of Greenwich

Suzie and I both met the Lord at a FOCUS camp.

Neither of us was looking for him

We are forever thankful 

for Peter's courage and boldness in starting and leading FOCUS

for his faithfulness in putting and keeping the Bible and the gospel  at the heart of the ministry

for his loving us enough to make sure 

we heard and understood the gospel.

I met Sandra a few years before meeting Peter

My oldest brother Billy thought Sandra was so extra special

that he invited her home for a weekend with the family.

I have thought Sandra to be extra special ever since!

She alerted her mother Audi Clark who alerted Peter that there was a 5th former at Groton who needed the Lord

Six years later Suzie was brought to FOCUS by a Foxcroft classmate

After our marriage in 1975

Sandra and Peter continued to be wonderful friends

How we have laughed and enjoyed one another as we shared Charlie Oates and Kate Moore as God children. 

Friendships lost after conversion 

were most unexpectedly replaced 

by the deeply loyal and real friendships of Sandra and Peter

Peter's lead to study theology for two years at Jesus College Oxford followed by two years working under Peter on the staff of FOCUS sealed my call to full time ministry. 

I owe Peter a great deal. Another way of putting this -

I am tremendously grateful for his life

Best of all

Peter and Sandra introduced Suzie and me 

to the wonderful promises Jesus makes to his followers.

We rejoice

in the faithfulness and the power of Christ to keep his promises and

in knowing that Peter is now in safe harbor at home with the Lord

Tom and Suzie Oates