Michael Ray Mitchell

Michael Ray Mitchell, 73, of Midlothian, Virginia, went to be with his Lord on October 25, 2021. He was the loving husband of Sharyn Mitchell for 40 years and the devoted father of his two children, Michael, Jr., and Charis.

Michael was born July 16, 1948, in San Diego, California. He was a good man and a devoted and beloved husband, father, and friend. Michael was a gifted Christian educator and minister and earned degrees from Biola College, Talbot Theological Seminary, and an Ed.D. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. At 24 years old, Michael began serving as the children’s ministry director at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, where he met his wife, Sharyn. Since that time, Michael went on to serve as pastor and principal of schools and churches across the country, including pastoring Emmanuel Community Church in Arvada, Colorado. Michael served as an associate professor of Christian Leadership at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, Virginia for ten years, until he retired. He is the author of the book Leading, Teaching, and Making Disciples as well as the author and presenter of countless leadership and family training seminars, including The Ezra Experiment and Go Make Disciples. Michael always focused on Christ’s calling to “Go, make disciples,” and was dedicated to teaching and ministering to whomever the Lord placed in front of him, no matter how small or large the gathering.

In addition to his academic accomplishments and life-long ministry, Michael also enjoyed leisure outdoors as well as leading camping ministries, including Christian camps at the Green Oak Boys’ Ranch in California and at Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je in Colorado. He was a talented athlete and enjoyed playing softball, baseball, basketball, and racquetball throughout his life. He had a delightful sense of humor, loved music and the arts, and he taught himself acrylic painting during his retirement.

Michael impacted countless people through his Christian life and ministry, and none more so than his late wife, Sharyn and his two grown children, Michael Jr. and Charis. Through all of his ministry and service, Michael always remained devoted to his family, prioritizing and constantly supporting them throughout his life.

Michael is preceded by his parents, Kenneth and Betty Mitchell, and his wife, Sharyn. He is survived by his two grown children, Michael Mitchell Jr. and Charis Mitchell, and his sister Patti Zielke of Anaheim, California.

A graveside service for Michael will be held at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, October 28, 2021, at Virginia Memorial Park in Forest, VA with Bishop Nathaniel Gomillion officiating.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.