I first met Mitch drew on the soccer field when we were both in 6th grade, but our friendship didn’t really begin to deepen until our freshman year at Leon high school. That friendship strengthened throughout high school and when we each decided that we would attend Auburn University we decided to be roommates.

We shared a one-bedroom apartment our freshman year and that is when we really began to share our lives together. We roomed together our entire four years at Auburn, and each year we grew closer and closer.

We both joined the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and I must confess that for the first three and a half years we lived for the weekends. We learned to consume vast quantities of alcohol in short periods of time and party throughout each weekend.

However, during our senior year all that changed. In the fall of our junior year a representative of Campus Crusade for Christ had begun teaching a bible study at our fraternity house. Mitch really wanted to go and he persuaded me to join him. In the summer after our junior year the bible study was led by another brother from a rival fraternity. His name is Daniel Mason. Through Daniel’s patient and persistent teaching, we began to learn more about Jesus. For Mitch it was like getting reacquainted with an old friend; for me it was coming to understand Jesus as Lord and savior. After a particularly disgusting weekend at a fraternity formal in New Orleans during the winter quarter of our senior year, I hit what at the time was the lowest point in my life. I was convicted that I could not continue to live my life like I was. Back in Auburn, I cried out to Jesus, “I need you Jesus. I want to change, but I can’t do it without you.” He answered my prayer and He has been with me since then.

Not only has Jesus been with me, but since that time Mitch has been not only my best friend but my brother in Christ and my mentor.

We have walked together getting to know Jesus more and more. Mitch taught me to slow down and look at God’s creation through the eyes of Jesus. If you know Mitch, you know the love that he had not only for nature but for people. You see, Mitch understood Jesus’ love for people and he had the unique ability to see people as Jesus sees people, and to love them as he loves them. He loves his wife Leah this way. He loves his family this way. He loves his friends this way. He loves everyone this way.

Mitch also understood the importance of souls. He understood that Jesus came into the world to save souls, and that we have been given a part to play in saving souls. Jesus told his followers to go and make disciples. Mitch understood that. He understood that the only path to salvation was following Jesus.

He never missed an opportunity to tell people about Jesus. But he always did it with gentleness, patience and love. But he did it boldly and without any inhibition.

Mitch always talked about being sold-out to Jesus – about dying to ourselves every day. He lived not for himself but for Jesus, so that others could come to a saving knowledge of Him.

Jesus said that his followers will be known because of the fruit that they bear. The fruit from Mitch’s life is amazing to see. Not only did he impact my life but he touched many, many more for Christ. Many of them are here today. You know who you are. To name those I know would take more time than I have. But the best part is the ever growing list of names that I don’t know. The ripples from his bold witness will be felt in generations to come – in the lives of mine and Theresa’s children and the children of those he touched.

Whenever I have a difficult decision to make I ask myself, “what would Mitch do?” Because I know that Mitch would do what Jesus would do.

Mitch was a disciple of Jesus and because of Mitch Drew, I am a disciple of Jesus.

But you see it doesn’t stop here. It can’t stop here. Jesus called his followers to make disciples and because I am a follower of Jesus, I must make disciples. And if you are a follower of Jesus you must make disciples too.

That is the cause Mitch lived for. That is the cause he was willing to die for.

I love Mitch Drew and I will miss Mitch Drew, and because of this I will take up his cause. Will you join me?