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Pat Roddy

roddy_patrick.jpg“So many of my peers from high school and in college drifted away from God during the college years, some never to come back,” says Pat Roddy. “The CCO affirmed my Christian commitment and kept me from drifting away and potentially making some life-altering mistakes.  My wife and I have benefited greatly from staying on God’s path.”

Pat and his wife, Sally, live in the Pittsburgh suburbs, where Pat works with IBM in software sales. Their son, Jay, graduated in May 2008 from George Mason University with a degree in international relations, and their daughter, Erin, is a student at Columbus College of Art & Design, studying advertising and graphic design. Both have been student leaders of their respective Christian fellowships on campus.

“I had grown up in a Christian home and accepted Christ at age 13,” says Pat. “The CCO’s ministry was a ‘finishing school’ that helped to systemize my theology and affirm my faith and understanding of God. The opportunity to lead and serve taught me attitudes I carry forward to this day. Leadership skills I learned there have been applied in high school ministry, mission trip leadership, and administrative leadership at our local church.”

A pivotal moment came when Pat attended the Jubilee conference for the first time. “[Keynote speaker] Tony Campolo held me in the palm of his hand with his message, ‘It’s Friday but Sunday’s coming!’ His message has had a huge impact on my compassion for the poor. I learned to approach my job as if my managers and customers were Jesus.”

Sharing his faith is something that Pat welcomes opportunities to do, but he acknowledges that it happens differently today than during his college years. “I recognize that we are in a postmodern world,” he says. “Most of my contact is with job colleagues and customers, most of whom are well educated and very technical in nature. My theology allows me to ask them questions that get to the core of their beliefs, and I work to first get them to question their own beliefs before I ask them to accept mine.”

Pat and Sally raised their children as Christians—Pat says that both committed their lives to Jesus before age 10, and they have stayed connected to other Christians even after going away to college themselves. “Because of our kids’ faith and the support of our Christian friends, they too avoided a lot of the heartache that comes when one strays away from God’s direction,” says Pat.

“We live in Pittsburgh because of our value to raise our kids around family. Vocationally, it is important to me to work for a firm and individuals with strong ethics, and I have left several situations where the culture was not good for my walk with Christ.”