09/20/2026
Last Saturday we met with many of you to support the family of Chris Mitchell at his memorial service and even before that the words just weren’t there to make a posting that was deserving or fitting of our brother and friend. But here in the wee hours of this morning those words have just shown up.
As coaches of the teams we try to lead as best we know how. There are many hats we try to wear. Some miserably and some just well enough to keep them on our heads. Always lots to try and balance. Anywhere from a player being upset because they aren’t feeling well about how they are playing to a parent throwing rocks at you because maybe you didn’t play baseball or softball at a big time college or play professional. It’s like you have to try to measure up to so much anymore.
But what came to my mind as I woke up this morning was a conversation between Jesus and Peter. Jesus asked Peter “Do you love Me?”. And Peter answered yes Lord. Then Jesus said to him “Then feed My Sheep!’ This went on for three times and each time Peter became more and more upset.
And another happening followed that up. Jesus orders His deciples to go out into the world to preach, teach, tell of the Good News of Jesus and that He had come to save the world and to go meet people where they were. In ditches, dirty and u worthy, misfits. Undesirables…. Heal them and show them the way to salvation.
My brother and friend Chris did exactly that to the children and their families that he was fortunate enough to coach. He befriended them, taught them a game, but in the mean time loved on them and fed His Sheep! Chris met them where they were as young children as well as their parents and where they were in their lives. He allowed the kids to keep their innocence of the game he was teaching them but showed them and told them and showed then about the love of Jesus.
So our brother and friend was highly educated and was a professional after all! Jesus told us “ I go to prepare a place” And I know my brother and friend is there! It’s more than just about the games we are a part of. There’s only one way. And that’s Jesus’s way!
Please continue to pray for Bobbie Jo and Silas, Chris’s parents, and the kids he was blessed to coach.
Until we shake hands again my brother and friend…
