Today's Featured Biography

Michael O'Connor

"There’s a divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them how we will."

I can affirm this quote from Hamlet as true for me, and it sounds more thoughtful that my yearbook quote: "Life is like a can of tuna fish. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's not so good."

After O'Connell, Mary Knecht (whom I dated senior year) and I both landed up at Virginia Tech. The dynamics of our relationship changed a lot that first year. Eight thousand men on campus, 300 women--need I say more?

But we were in love and resumed our relationship eventually and married in 1971 at St. James. Father Watkins. We were still in college.

Back on campus, through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru), I came to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I had been reasonably involved in the Church, but came to realize that my faith was all about what I was doing for God. Scripture speaks over and over of eternal life as a gift to be received , not a reward to be achieved. I sought and received God's forgiveness. I believe His promise that He will never leave me or forsake me. This promise is so vital to one as broken me.

So back to the "divinity shaping our ends." I finished up my Bachelor's at George Washington, got an MBA from the University of Maryland, and was tracking for advancement in my career as a Budget Analyst with the Maritime Administration. At the very same time, God was speaking to my heart about ministry.

Having finished my MBA, I was eager to get out of Washington D.C. and get closer to real day-to-day management. I took a position as the Financial Manager of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) located on Long Island.

At the same time, the Lord continued to lead in ministry involvement, eventually to the point where I reduced my hours so that I could attend school part time. I know many of you also had the experience of working full time and going to school part time. After a long time, I received a Masters in Religious Education. I quit my job at the Merchant Marine Academy and served on the staff of a local church on Long Island.

We got a first hand look at what God was doing in the lives of those in our congregation, we were involved in heaping people understand the gospel and receive Christ, in preparing them for marriage, in teaching teens and children.

Our four daughters were a major focus for us. At one point, we decided to homeschool them--what a blast. Lots of work, but something important to do as a family.

God graciously allowed us to travel as His ambassadors to various parts of the world.

I am still working--Senior Pastor of Island Christian Church. After all--four daughters, four through college, four weddings--and now we have ten grandkids to spoil.

It is a full and busy life. We love Long Island--but for sure it is a place where there is much apathy and even hostility toward spiritual things.

But our faithful God continues to show Himself as both great and good. It is a privilege to serve Him.

"There’s a divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them how we will."

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