Today, TobyMac sent out a message to fans honoring Gabe's life and friendship.

Toby writes:

I wish everyone knew Gabe Patillo.

I wish everyone could walk with him, get challenged by him, collaborate with him, laugh with him, pray with him, meditate on scripture with him and be loved by him. You would be a better person. You would learn to care for others. You would learn to listen. You would hear the hard truth delivered compassionately (most of the time ;) ) You would not get by with foolishness but you’d laugh with joy til your belly hurt. You would learn that we can see things differently, but still have respect for one another. You would not be scared of tough conversations about race and politics and social issues or apologetics and interpretations. No, you would dive in and talk it through to find the common ground or respectfully disagree while treating one another with dignity. 

You would know his warm smile. You would know that he lightens a room that is heavy with his quick witted observations or deepens the moments that shouldn’t remain on the surface. His eyes offered love, not the “I want you to like me” kind but the “I see you” kind. The kind of eyes that find the people behind the scenes that do the hardest work but get the least recognition. 

Sure, Gabe could sing, he could rap, he could dance, and he could play trumpet onstage. He’s one of the best performers I’ve ever been around. He embodied the heart of every song we sang, every night. We thought through every moment of every show together for the last 24 years. We pushed each other to be intentional with every move made, every note played and every word spoken or sang on that stage. But what I will treasure for the rest of my life is behind the curtain; on the bus, in the dressing rooms, at rehearsals, and at home. I saw him become a man, a husband and a father that I respect. A guy that went from being like my lil bro to a man that continues to inspire me in every aspect of my life. What an utter privilege it has been to call him friend.

Please pray for Gabe’s family and our community as we have lost a genuine load-bearing pillar of our village.

Support Gabe’s Family

For more info on TobyMac, visit the JFH Artists Database.

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