Jerry Lynn Mitchell

On August 30th 2018 —Pastor Jerry Lynn Mitchell died at 9:23 a.m. at his home in Raytown MO. He was 74.

Throughout his life, Jerry preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone who would listen. He was called to preach at the age of 18 and it was his life's mission to minister and share the good news of eternal salvation in Jesus Christ. He continued to preach even after he could no longer stand, preaching from his chair until retiring from the pulpit in 2016.

Born February 6, 1944, to Agnes Claire and Jasper Wayne Mitchell of Calhan Colorado. He was born again at the age of 18 at Calvary Baptist Church in Colorado Springs along with his family as his father led them down the aisle to receive Jesus. Jerry graduated from Calhan High School in 1962 and received the calling from the Holy Spirit into the ministry that same year. He was ordained to preach February 2, 1966 at Mt Etna Baptist Church in Bolivar MO. He graduated with a BA in ministry from Southwest Baptist College in 1968 and from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth TX in 1972. He also received a doctorate of ministry from Luther Rice Seminary.

Jerry's ministry led him to pastor a dozen churches over his 40-year career. He loved people and especially loved teaching home Bible studies attended by hundreds over the years. Jerry's passion for the Word of God was contagious but his main goal was take as many people to heaven with him as possible.

He wrote the following to his children & grandchildren:

“The first and most important thing is to make sure you have been saved, born again. You do this by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior. This is necessary because you were created to choose between right and wrong for yourself and like the rest of us, you chose wrong first, it's called sin. By doing this, you became a sinner. That's why Jesus died on the cross, to pay for your sin and mine. When you accept Jesus as your savior He literally came into your heart to live with you forever. You actually become a child of God never to be lost again and assured of your place in heaven with him… and with me.”

Jerry encouraged everyone he knew to walk closely with The Lord and to climb up into the lap of the heavenly father and fellowship with him:

“Next, you need to get to know God, now that He lives inside you, you can visit with Him like you and I could visit if we could sit down and talk awhile. You will find out that He loves you more than you are capable of understanding. I love you too, more than you know but God loves you more than I am capable of. The difference is that He lives inside you and can hold you with His arms, you can sit in his lap and talk to Him and He with you, and this all happens inside you. People will wonder why you have that funny grin on your face Just tell them it's because God loves you.”

Jerry was a strong man and in his early years known as the cowboy preacher. He enjoyed power lifting and was a state champion in the late 70's, holding a national deadlift record. He enjoyed guns, weight lifting, motorcycles and wood working. Jerry loved animals and always had his "puppies" in his lap. Jerry lived life with passion and never did anything half way. He passed these values on to his kids and grandkids who are all forever changed by him.

Jerry is survived by his beloved bride of six years Karen McCright Mitchell; three children Jayne Brown; Paul Mitchell and Cindy Hulse; eight bonus children whom he loved as his own; Sandy Cotton; Jimmy Sanders; Mike Sanders; Tim Sanders; Jeffrey McCright; Jennifer Pape; Andy McCright & Josh McCright. His beloved siblings; Rebe Harley; Vernon Mitchell; Patty Breshears & Daryl Mitchell. He has numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren who all call him PaPa. Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of 23 years, Melinda Ann Mitchell.

Memorial service will be held Thursday Sept 6, 2018 at 5pm at Southview Baptist Church in Raytown MO. Reception following.

In lieu of flowers it is requested that gifts be made to Samaritan’s Purse in Jerry's honor. https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

“HE WHO HEARS MY WORD AND BELIEVES IN HIM WHO SENT ME … HAS PASSED FROM DEATH INTO LIFE” (JOHN 5:24 NKJV).