For twenty-three years, Rev. Dr. Eugene "Gene" Owens helped shape the life, voice, and witness of Myers Park Baptist Church. In 1992, the congregation found itself standing at a crossroads, celebrating a beloved pastor whose influence stretched far beyond the church's walls while preparing for an uncertain but hopeful future. It was a year marked by heartfelt farewells, public tributes, laughter, tears, and the closing of a remarkable chapter. As one era came to an end, Myers Park Baptist would discover once again that God's story continues to unfold, even in moments of goodbye. 

A Faithful Voice, A Lasting Legacy
After 23 years of faithful ministry, Rev. Dr. Eugene "Gene" Owens concluded his pastorate at Myers Park Baptist Church. Before a packed congregation, Owens preached a final message centered on God's enduring love, reminding worshipers, "You don't start with love, you arrive there. I started with a task. I arrived at a loving relationship. That continues."

As he finished, the congregation responded with a rare standing ovation. Applause echoed through the sanctuary as voices called out "Bravo," a heartfelt expression of gratitude for a pastor who had challenged them to think deeply, love broadly, and follow Christ with integrity. The service concluded with tears, the congregation singing The Strife Is O'er, the choir offering God Be With You Till We Meet Again, and acolytes Emily Furman and Jenny Lail extinguishing the altar candles.

A Ministry Marked by Courage and Compassion
The announcement of Rev. Dr. Eugene Owens retirement rang loudly through the church leadership, congregation and community with news stories outlining the monumental impact he had made.

Owens became one of Charlotte's best-known Baptist ministers through his willingness to address difficult issues, including the Vietnam War, racial desegregation, capital punishment, equal rights, and the inclusion of marginalized people. He never retreated from the conviction that the gospel calls believers to engage the pressing moral issues of their day. Even as he prepared to retire, Owen's approached the future with his characteristic humor. Speaking of his successor, he quipped, "They'll get some brilliant, theologically astute, handsome person, male or female. If they do, I'm going to sit in the balcony and heckle." Though stepping down from the Myers Park Baptist pulpit, Owens was not retiring from ministry altogether; he planned to teach a course on religious issues at UNC Charlotte.

Preparing for the Next Chapter
Owens emphasized that it was time for the church to hear "a new voice," believing healthy congregations are never dependent upon one individual. Rev. William (Bill) Treadwell, the church's senior educator and staff coordinator, assumed leadership responsibilities during the transition while guest preachers filled the pulpit. Church leaders intentionally embraced a careful search process. Search committee chair Robin Hicks, along with committee members Diannah Ellis, Veegie Short, and Ray Owens Jr., affirmed their commitment to finding a pastor who would continue Myers Park Baptist's tradition of a free, courageous, and thoughtful pulpit.

The Gift of Faithful Leadership
Church leaders spoke warmly of Owens' influence. Don Bryant, chairman of the board of deacons, praised his "23 magnificent years" of ministry and said Owens had kept the congregation "on the cutting edge." Deacon William Pinson reflected that Owens consistently proclaimed God's forgiveness and redemption. Former Charlotte pastor Rev. Tom Graves, then president of Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond, noted that Owens' retirement was also a reminder that pastors are fully human, carrying the same burdens and needs as those they serve. Retired pastor Rev. Charles Milford praised Owens' freedom, openness, and courage, saying those qualities inspired ministers across Mecklenburg County. Longtime member Mildred Swinson reflected that the congregation loved being able to disagree with Owens while still loving and respecting him.

Honoring a Lasting Legacy
In recognition of his decades of ministry and public service, Mecklenburg County awarded Owens the Order of the Hornet, the county's highest honor. Even after his retirement, Owens continued to point beyond himself. During his farewell reception, he encouraged the congregation to welcome "the new senior minister when she arrives," expressing hope that the church would continue embracing God's call with courage and openness.

A Reflection on Time and a Great Willow Oak
The closing chapter of Rev. Dr. Eugene "Gene" Owens' ministry at Myers Park Baptist Church was marked by another poignant farewell—the loss of the great willow oak that had stood at the corner of Selwyn Avenue and Queens Road for nearly a century. For generations, the towering tree welcomed worshipers, shaded children walking to church, and silently witnessed baptisms, weddings, funerals, and ordinary Sundays. Owens reflected that the tree "was here long before we were," noting that during his 23 years at Myers Park, he and the oak had "watched one another here before the Temple of the Lord."

Looking back, 1992 was about far more than retirement. It was a year of gratitude, reflection, and transition. Myers Park Baptist Church celebrated a pastor whose courage, compassion, and conviction had shaped a generation, while at the same time preparing to embrace a future he would not lead. The loss of the great willow oak seemed to echo the moment, reminding the congregation that even the most familiar and enduring presences do not remain forever. Yet both the farewell to Gene Owens and the passing of the beloved tree pointed to a deeper truth: while seasons change, God's faithfulness endures. With gratitude for the past and hope for what lay ahead, Myers Park Baptist stepped into its next chapter carrying forward a legacy that would continue to influence the church for years to come.