By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — In typical Chip Cash form, Tuesday morning’s keynote speaker for the Men’s Connection “Summer Special” brought spiritual insight, humor and personal recollections to the more than 100 attendees in Chetola Mountain Resort’s “Evergreen Room.”
Ham biscuits, bacon biscuits and sausage biscuits, along with fruit, cheese, juice, water and coffee were provided by Chetola, so nobody had an excuse for leaving hungry. Meanwhile, Cash provided ample nourishment for the spiritually hungry, interlacing personal stories and anecdotes about his father, the late Steady Cash, one of the Men’s Connection founders, who with Barbara Cash raised three sons and maintained homes in Blowing Rock and Charlotte.
Steady Cash was the longtime CEO of Parnell-Martin Companies, LLC, a wholesale distributor of plumbing and hydronic heating supplies, according to Supply House Times. Prior to the company’s being acquired by Wolesley PLC in 2005, Parnell-Martin had $93 million in sales across 17 locations in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
Steady Cash credited his relationship with Christ as the foundation of his decisions, the barometer of his business, and the spark for his love for others.
Chip Cash described the four “seasons” in a Christian’s life with God, including [1] Adoption – making the decision to proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior; [2] Walking with God and worshiping Him; [3] the Valley, when we might question God; and [4] Finishing strong.
“The valley is a time when people question why a loving God let bad things happen to good people,” he said. “Human life is broken, but the promise in Scripture is that in the end God will make everything right.”
For Chip, a personal valley was about three years ago when he faced uncertainty in knowing he needed a kidney transplant, which he finally received from a donating friend on Jan. 24, 2024.
He likened finishing strong to running — and winning — a race.
“Doing what God calls us to do, allows us to break the tape at the finish line, even if many of us walk through a broken world with a limp,” he said.
The Community Catalyst Pastor for Waypoint Community Church in Charlotte for the past six years, Cash previously served Search Ministries for almost 15 years. He encouraged the audience members to participate in smaller groups like the Men’s Connection because of the opportunity not just for fellowship, but for the conversations to be had about their respective spiritual lives.
Men’s Connection meets each Tuesday morning, 7:15 a.m., in a room adjacent to Chetola’s main dining room. Those attending are encouraged to bring their bibles, whether just starting to explore their faith or a well-studied, devout student.
