The memorial service is right around the corner, Saturday at 1pm at Timberview. I’ve officiated at dozens (likely more than one hundred) of funerals through the years. My father’s funeral was among them. This is entirely different, however, and am thankful for a great pastor and friend, Glenn Teal, who can provide that service to our family. I am thankful for the emails that have flooded our way. In the quiet of our home, we read every one of them- thanking God for those who love and care so deeply. Trust me, we have never read anything with more emotion and gratitude than the holy Word of God and your letters. They have both brought comfort as the Comforter (Holy Spirit) has ministered to us through them.
We are establishing the ‘Mitch Thomas missions endowment fund’ to help fulfill a desire and goal of his (as a "missionary kid" himself) in serving the church. If you are interested, you can send funds to Timberview Christian Fellowship for the Mitch Thomas missions endowment fund.
We are thankful for those who have worn the prayer wrist bands for Mitch for more than 1 year. There are hundreds of you scattered throughout the Free Methodist Church and beyond. Thanks. God has answered your prayer. We are overwhelmed by the evidences of ministry that Mitch has carried and that Chelsea continues to carry into the future. Spokane is hundreds of miles from Seattle, where Mitch has been for more than 3 months. We were humbled to learn that at least a few of the hospital staff working directly with Mitch are coming to his funeral. I’m quite sure that is not a usual response. We have learned of many who have committed or recommitted their lives to live for Jesus Christ or recommit to a call on their lives. These are all humbling reminders of how God can work through the most difficult times.
The Lord marches on through his church far beyond our present and personal situation. We ask all of you to live vibrantly for Him, trust more deeply in Him, be willing to sacrificially serve Him and share with as many as you can about Him so that many others will receive Him and live to serve Him. As Marlene and I travel throughout the church, we hope to see all of you in the Free Methodist Church powerfully alive in Christ and engaged in these things that matters most. THAT will glorify God.