In 1993, I graduated high school and in August of that same year I moved to Lubbock, Tx. I really didn't know much about the preaching school, AIM or anything else in Lubbock (especially not Tech!), but one thing I found out nearly on arriving in the parking lot was Cline Paden was a visionary and man of God. During our AIM class, Cline Paden stepped down as the "man guy" (forgive me if the title slips my mind) and Truitt Adair took his place. I remember Jay Jarboe saying that we were blessed to have witnessed that time and have been there. I later found out that Bill Burton (nephew to my grandmother) had worked with the Padens in Italy. Barb and I went to Toluca, after finishing our time and returning to the states, we were married and went straight to the preaching school. During our first week, Truitt asked Cline to tell us a story. It was a story of a dream of heaven. Jesus was walking with a man and they came upon a tree. The tree was wrecked. All the limbs were doubled over and most were touching the ground. The man asked Jesus why He would have such a tree in heaven. Jesus responded, "this tree has produced so much fruit that it has split down the middle." The man began to cry realizing that Jesus was proud of the many efforts he had made in His name on earth. Cline said his prayer was to be "that tree" and if you knew the man, you know he accomplished his goal! During our time at the preaching school, I would often go by Cline's office. It was practically a closet, right by a main entrance. His door was always open, if he was in or if he was gone. Often you could hear him in there clacking away on an old typewriter. One day as I came down the stairs to head home after class, I saw Cline standing at his down and he asked me to come in. He asked me what I was going to "do with my life". I told him that my wife and I dreamed of Mexico! He told me that was good. He was really pushing for Cuba at the time, but he had a love for Latin America and really ANYWHERE that lost people lived! He told me about Jay, Billy, Jody and other men who had taken the Gospel down into Mexico. He promised he would pray for our future in Mexico. Leaving the preaching school, I took a job at in McAlester, Ok...several hours NORTH of the border. We were super blessed in McAlester and praise God for our time and growth there, but as the years went on, the dream continued. In 2002 and 2003 we went down on a mission trip. God was calling us back "home". We joined our team and here we are! God has used Cline and so many other godly men and women to bring us to Mexico. It is for that reason we honor Cline as he receives his true title and reward with his Lord! Below is an email I just received and thought I would pass it on.

Friends,
Our beloved Cline has gone to be with his Lord and his victory is assured by the love and grace of Christ. We wanted you to know about the funeral arrangements here in Lubbock, Texas.
There will be a visitation on Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 at Resthaven, 5740 W. 19th. Street. The funeral service will be Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. in the Sunset Church of Christ auditorium.

Following the burial, there will be a time of fellowship and visitation with the Paden family in the Sunset fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be sent to Sunset International Bible Institute in Cline's memory.

Please forward this to friends on your email list who would like to know about Cline's victory celebration!

Truitt AdairA student of Cline