It is hard for me, and I am sure y’all to understand fully why the Lord would call our brother Mitch home. The only thing that brings me comfort are the promises of the Lord.

1 Cor, 1:20 > Only made possible because of our crucified and risen Savior.

I mention this because I believe that Mitch would want me to begin with the gospel and end with the gospel. He would want his life sandwiched between the greatest news ever!! For that is the way Mitch lived his life, as a man consumed with Jesus Christ.

I can remember meeting Mitch Drew. I was starting a Bible Study at Beta Theta Pi in Auburn in the Fall of 98’. Mitch and Ricky, the duo from Tallahassee would soon start coming. As I began to get to know these guys I realized they might be the 2 wildest guys in the Fraternity. They were the life of the parties, they held the parties, they wanted to soak up all of life that they could. People were drawn to Mitch, he made people laugh, feel comfortable, he enjoyed life, and thus made others enjoy it with him.

As he continued coming to Bible study I began to see the grace of God drawing Mitch’s heart to Christ. He came back from Thanksgiving and shared with the group that during Thanksgiving he was sitting on his porch in Tallahassee and began to realize that all that really mattered in this life was Jesus, and that he had not been living that way and now he wanted to begin living as though Christ was the most important thing in his life. Now many of you may be thinking, Mitch’s life became rigid, rule-oriented, no fun, I would rather say the extreme opposite.

John Owen said, “ A Giant Christ leads to Giant Christians.”

Mitch Drew knew and experienced a Giant Christ and his life demonstrated and reflected this. All of his passion for life, to get out of it all he could turned to the Lord Jesus Christ. His life did a complete 180; he was still the same Mitch except now he became Mitch consumed by Jesus Christ. And that was the driving force in all he did’ to know Christ and make Him known so that He is glorified. As I saw this change the Lord used it to compel me to run harder after Him, and when I think about Mitch Drew now I think about:

M…entor: I know they said that I led a Bible study that Mitch was in at Auburn, I mentored him, he was the one that mentored me. I learned from him, as he was compelled to love Christ, I was compelled to love Christ. As I observed his life, I could do nothing but desire to have the same passion and heart that he did…he was my Mentor.

I…nfluencer: No matter who Mitch was around he influenced them. He always brought a smile to our face, and as he radiated the love of Christ others were drawn to Christ. Mitch was an Influencer.
T…aster: Mitch wanted to taste all of life, he wanted to experience everything; hiking, snowboarding, you name it and he wanted to do it. He first tasted and saw that the Lord was good, and longed for others to taste that goodness with him. Mitch was a Taster

C…ontagious: Everyone wanted to be around Mitch. He was a magnet, drawing people to himself; exuberating kindness, joy, love for life, love for others, so much that people wanted to be around him. Mitch was Contagious.

H…eart: Mitch had one of the biggest hearts that I know. His love for people was incredible, from the least to the greatest in the world’s eyes Mitch loved them. He love his family more than anything, and I have never seen a man love a woman as much as he loved Leah. And he loved Christ with his whole heart. Mitch was all heart

D…riven: Mitch was focused and could do anything he put his mind to. He was talented in many respects. Mitch had a purpose, to make Christ known to all around. He was driven by the grace of God to be a worshipper at our Savior’s feet.

R…ich: Not materially. Mitch had tons of friends that loved him, a great family; a dad he loved extremely, a mom whom he loved for and cared for intricately, and 3 sisters he could not stop talking about, and a wife that made him speechless, and humbled to know that God would bless him with such a partner. And most of all he was rich because he experienced the glorious riches that are in Christ Jesus

E…xample: Mitch was an example to all. A compassionate, servant, giving heart. A life that if we all followed we would be doing well. Mitch followed hard after the greatest example Jesus, Mitch is an example.

W…ith Jesus: This is the most important thing. This promise that our brother is with his King, because he had his faith in Christ, and now he is in the Savior’s presence and experiencing overflowing joy that comes from being there. He is worshipping our Lord, and the smile we all know so well is 10 million times more radiant because he is now consumed with the fullness of the glory of God.

I believe if Mitch could communicate anything to us today it would be how great the face of Christ is, and that he longs for all of us to be there with him one day, but until that day run after Christ with all our passion, enjoy Him, and make Christ known in this life we have.