Finding Faith ... in a lasting friendship that was forged in a holy instant

EDITOR'S NOTE: In October 2021 I began a new venture writing a newspaper column titled "Finding Faith" for the Forum Communications Co. network of newspapers and websites. I was asked to contribute to the company's ongoing conversation about faith, lending a Lutheran and fairly ecumenical approach to the discussion. The column was published in several of the company's papers and websites, including The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. This column originally appeared as a "Finding Faith" column on March 14, 2025.

Pastor Devlyn with Paul, Shannon and Alex Fitch on May 17, 2024, at the Needtobreathe concert at Bluestem Amphitheater in Moorhead, Minn.

By The Rev. Devlyn Brooks

Becoming intimate friends with a man and his family during a short, two-hour concert seems crazy, right?

The kind of friends who regularly check in, not only on Facebook but through periodic text messages too. A quick note of encouragement or to share a lament. A pick-me-up for folks who could use a little sunshine.

In this fleeting world, that kind of thing only happens in the movies, right?

Nah, it really can happen at an outdoor amphitheater concert on a beautiful May evening in northern Minnesota. Because that night, I learned that sometimes friendships forge in a flash, and they can be as meaningful as relationships you’ve had all your life.

I met Paul, his wife Shannon and their son Alex during a dreamlike Needtobreathe concert 10 months ago right here in our hometown.

Shelley and I were Row 2, center stage -- because why not splurge on such an occasion! -- and Paul and his family were sitting just ahead, Row 1. The only people between us and the band!

After the opening act, Shannon very sweetly turned in her seat and apologized to me if her party’s dancing and ruckus-making interfered with our concert experience.

I assured her all was good, as Shelley and I were just as excited about the night.

Shannon shared that her and Paul were marking their 60th time seeing the band, but it likely would be their last as Paul had been diagnosed with brain cancer on Christmas Day 2023.

Then Shannon introduced me to Paul, and I asked if I could come pray with him. He eagerly agreed, and there we prayed like we weren’t sitting in front of a few thousand fans, tears streaming down Paul’s cheeks as he alternately smiled and broke up in grief. ... My tears flowed as well.

Over two hours, together we sang and danced our hearts out to our mutual favorite band. At one point, the lead singer even tearfully dedicated their song “Be Here Long” to Paul and his family. We left that concert venue deeply connected.

Shannon and I have remained in contact since. She’d share Paul’s good and bad days. And I felt privileged to be intimately welcomed into their daily challenges.

So, yes friendships can start in a moment’s notice when you allow the Holy Spirit room to work.

Paul, who showed me how to live with grace and humility, succumbed to his valiant battle with cancer this week, and the news broke my heart.

Friends, this is what life is actually about. Bottom line: The relationships that bind us together are our true currency. And if you keep your heart open, sometimes those relationships happen in a flash.

God bless, Paul. Thank you for showing me what living a faithful life really means. Amen.

Devlyn Brooks is the CEO of Churches United in Moorhead, Minn., and an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America serving Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. He blogs about faith at findingfaithin.com, and can be reached at devlynbrooks@gmail.com.