Dr. John L. Mitchell

I gave Pastor Mitchell many challenges and trials in my time at Bethany Bible, but he was always patient (at least on the surface) :) He had to stop a church service to pray because my friends and I were giggling (Mindy Murray, Sandy Eggleston/Wrezenski). I pestered my parents (and Dr. Mitchell) to get baptized, and he finally allowed it. I did believe, but I so wanted to swim in that baptismal pool, and since I was so short, I was able. He made sure the little ones and older ones got...

My family and I began attending Bethany Bible Church upon our move to Phoenix in 1959. My father is now 95 years old and remembers Dr. Mitchell with fondness; in fact, one evening Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell visited Palmcroft Baptist where my parents were then attending and my father really enjoyed getting to say hello to them there.

It was a privilege to be able to attend the Memorial Service for Dr. Mitchell. For some reason I hadn't remembered his very humorous side as was...

Dear Jo, dear friend,

How my heart hurts at your and our loss. I just finished reading through the previous entries, and don't know how to express any better our feelings, other than what has already been said. Dr. Mitchell was such a wonderful example to all of us -- his Godliness, his humility, his intellect, his wisdom,... and his sense of humor. I'll always picture him with that twinkle in his eye. One of my favorite evenings includes the memories of the lovely dinner you...

Dear Jo, Diane and David:
It was with deep sadness yesterday that I learned of the death of your beloved husband, father, my pastor and father in ministry. What can I add to all that has been written and spoken about him? My spiritual roots and call to the ministry began in 1961 with him, the Bethany staff, congregation and the Arizona Bible College family. Forty-two years ago he invited me, Dave Bancroft and Carl Stevens to be the 1st wave of interns to train and serve with him at...

Dear Mrs. Mitchell, David and Diane:

I can only echo all the entries above. Bethany Bible Church was the largest spiritual influence in my life, thanks to Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell.

I want to thank you for the wonderful celebration service you allowed us to share in. I pray it was of as great comfort to you as it was to us. I know the Lord is giving you comfort, and we share the immeasurable peace of knowing we will be reunited with our loved ones one day in glory....

My love, prayers and thoughts for you and the family are ongoing as I remember John and the many good times we shared together. He was God's man for my life as we labored there at Bethany together.

Dear Mrs. Mitchell,
My family came to Bethany when I was just a baby so Dr. Mitchell was my pastor for all my growing up years. I appreciate the solid Biblical foundation I received from him. Bethany was a great place to grow up. Thank you for being a part of my life.

Dear Jo, Diane and David,

As a charter member of Bethany Bible Church, I knew Dr. Mitchell most of my life. Looking back, I am very grateful for the spiritual foundation and years of good, solid biblical teaching that he brought to us. I also had the privilege of working closely with Dr. Mitchell for many years in the AV department, helping with services, weddings etc. and volunteered for a number of years on the KTAR radio broadcast. Dr. Mitchell was always an example to...

When I was 15 years old my family moved from New York to Phoenix, where we began attending Bethany Bible Church with Dr. Mitchell as the pastor. The teaching and training Dr. Mitchell gave me greatly directed my Christian walk and gave me a strong foundation based on the word of God that has permeated my life ever since; and strengthened me for battles, including the battle of Multiple Sclerosis. I remember being invited to his home on Christmas, as a Christian Service Student, and finding...