07/20/2026
We lost a truly great friend and partner, Chad Arnold. His life celebration held today was standing room only AFTER every chair in the church was put out... till we meet again!
In Memoriam
Chad Arnold, Board Member & Volunteer
March 21st, 1966 – July 10th, 2026
I first met Chad as a “spouse being dragged along” to help with a 5:30 am, Friday morning “Produce Drop.” Two years later, in the spring of 2024, we had a board member resign from their position, and I asked Chad to join our board. He said, “Yes,” and was immediately voted in as a board member.
Chad was always involved in board discussions, bringing with him ideas on how to move forward. He introduced Cedar Creek Missionary Baptist Church and Pastor Randall to FRC and its mission to feed those in need in Anderson County, TX, resulting in the church becoming a regular supporter of FRC. When we discussed the “lack of available meat” Chad connected us with a local rancher, and a regular supply of ground beef became available. When a ministry named “Hope for Heaven” was working on a food giveaway at low-income housing in Crockett (and again in Elkhart later), Chad connected us with Mark Cooper, and together we were able to reach beyond Anderson County to help families in need. If Chad was told about a project we had to undertake, he would always say, “What can I do?” If he was asked to do something, the answer was always, “I am on it.”
But aside from his work with FRC, I had the privilege to get to know Chad personally, sharing meals and visits, and here is what I learned about him.
Chad loved life, loved others, and loved Cindy most of all. If you look on Facebook, you see picture after picture of Cindy and Chad – together. It has been said that “things and people most important to you are what you surround yourself with.”
You would also see picture after picture of Chad with a smile on his face – he had a joy for life that could not be contained. I know much of that related to his faith in Christ and knowing his future was secure, but also a joy for work, for being engaged, for new experiences, and life with Cindy, family, and his puppies!
Chad, in his lifetime, experienced difficulties and trials; there is no question about that, and he was not afraid to say it. But next, he would tell you about the peace he found in his walk as a Christ follower, that after he accepted Jesus into his life as Lord and Savior, he experienced peace through the trials. For those who were cheering him on during his kidney removal, you could see that he was at peace. During recovery, he spoke of God’s provision for him, confident that he was “going to be okay.”
The hardest quality to attain in life is patience! We have always heard, “Don’t pray for patience… because it will wear you out”! But Chad had patience… The best example was when Cindy would make some bold statement… if you looked over at Chad and he was not quite sure about it, instead of immediately saying, “I disagree”… he would pause—and then ask a question to redirect the moment. If you were working with him and someone jumped in to do what he was doing, he would back off and let it be – then be right back in the thick of it when the other person tired…
Chad always looked for the best in others, and he treated those he met with kindness. “How can I help? What do you need me to do?” were usual questions coming from him – never afraid to engage and produce meaningful results.
When he came to FRC and understood the mission, he recognized the need for help with the produce drop and organized his bible study group to engage, followed by widening the net to include others from the church who could help. He took to directing traffic and praying with people who needed prayer, without delay, sharing the goodness of God with those most in need in our community. He became a faithful contributor working alongside Cindy and the rest of the team, always available, sharing his faith gently through his words and deeds.
Finally, these past few years, he has been working on being stronger in his faith. His work with Tres Dias, a three-day spiritual retreat, led to a leadership role as president-elect, president, and in 2027, he was to serve as rector (or minister) for the retreat. As he considered the responsibilities before him, he was determined to grow closer to the Lord so that he could be a help to others. Casting aside the mindset of “what makes us happy” for “what am I doing for eternity.” These subtle shifts were evident to those of us who spent time with him regularly and seeing him yearn for things eternal, now only help us see he was preparing for his departure from this life, ready to meet Jesus, his Lord and Savior.
Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:7 , “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”
To the Galatians, Paul wrote the following:
"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives."
This is how I will remember Chad, not perfect, but producing spiritual fruit so regularly that today this church is filled with people who loved him
On July 10th, he met Jesus face-to-face, and we are confident he heard these words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25:23)
