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-->Brent Schoening Tribute
Our hearts are broken in the passing of Brent Schoening. What a Winner both on & off the field. As a teenager he began attending our church while pitching for Columbus Highs School Baseball team and helping lead them to several State Championships. He led his family to church, then led many of his friends to church. On the field we saw his competitive spirit rise to challenge anyone standing at the plate daring to hit off him. Off the field he was a class act in humility. Good looking, million dollar smile, yet gentle, gracious & approachable. When drafted out of high school to the pros, he chose college and at Auburn University he was a stand out leader. The record books show a 3 year span when he was pitching to be documented as their best ever. Brent Schoening “brought it” wherever he was. He’d be selected to a pro team and lived life to the fullest. In church one day he noticed a beautiful blonde he knew at a distance only as Lauren. He had friends Josh Hudson and Amber Authement play cupid & soon he and Lauren were dating. I conducted their beautiful wedding and saw two people deeply in love. None of us imagined that just a few years later leukemia would attack his athletic body and he’d be in for his greatest challenge ever. For over a year he fought with bone marrow treatments, white cell replacements, and every possible cure man has to offer. He never complained, never blamed. He battled with that same determined, courageous, humble spirit he always had. I watched Lauren, Elizabeth & his family stand by him every single day of his pain and they did all they could to help him pull through. Even in suffering he expressed to me his concern that some of his friends know Jesus as He knew Him. That was Brent, it was always about others. There was an outpouring of love, care and kindness for Brent during that time and he deserved it too. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to know him as a friend and to be his pastor. When Lauren said to me yesterday, “Brother Bill, he loved you like you never imagined” I can honestly say the feeling is mutual. Pray for Lauren. Pray for Elizabeth, Ed, his sisters Julia and Jennifer and all of those who grieve. A man of character passed our way, a young man of integrity, passion and humility has been our gift from God in Brent. We were blessed, I know when he stepped on heavens field he heard the words of Jesus, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
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August 22, 2009
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Beautiful Tribute!
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August 22, 2009
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I had the privilege to somewhat get to know Brent and Lauren during the long stay at MD Anderson. I helped to take care of them, to the best of my ability. It was an honor to get to know such wonderful people, and while I don’t understand why God allowed things to play out the way they did, I have no doubts He is still in control and that He was there in that room holding Brent’s hand as he left all the pain and suffering behind. From the stories I’ve heard about Brent i know God will still use his life in a great way.
I love ya Lauren! I’m still praying for you and your entire family.