James (Jim) Edward Mitchell, Jr., now living in Smyrna, Tennessee, was born August 5,1937, at the General Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. He was the son of James Edward (Ned) and Vivian Claire (Tidwell) Mitchell. He was added to the Lord's church in April of 1950 at the Rural Hill church of Christ in Davidson County, Antioch, Tennessee. Due to the foresight of the elders of that congregation, Eugene Luther, Forest Charlton, and James Mitchell, Sr., the young men of the congregation were given training in all phases of leadership and given the opportunity, on the fifth Sunday, during the evening, to conduct the entire worship service. Three men from that group became fulltime gospel preachers: Paul Dobson, Virgil Hale, and brother Jim Mitchell, Jr. Virgil is now preaching In the Murray, Kentucky, area.

In 1969, Jim married Carol Ruth Mullen, of White House, Tennessee. He then attended the Great Commission School in Nashville, which was being conducted 2 days per week in the facilities of the Wingate Church of Christ. Jim decided to enroll when they began a fulltime curriculum, preaching when possible, and he graduated in June of 1974.

After he graduated he moved on to Bucyrus, Ohio, in July of 1974, where he preached nearly ten years for the Lincoln Avenue church of Christ. Many long-lasting friendships and Christian relationships began there and continue to this day. In June of 1984 he began working with the Southwestern church of Christ in Grove City, Ohio. In addition to preaching and teaching, Jim worked extensively with both the seniors, as well as the young people of the Northwestern Ohio Christian Youth Camp. Then, in April of 1996, he moved on to the Muskingum County, Chandlersville, Ohio, congregation were he remained until March of 2006, when he was forced to cease fulltime work due to his and his wife's health difficulties. Jim and his wife said that a wonderful 10 years were spent there and some of the finest people he has ever known make up this very sound group of saints. Jim is pursuing, if his health will allow it, to preach in the middle Tennessee area, Lord willing.

Imogene Pinson of the Bucyrus, Ohio, congregation said, "Brother Mitchell has been a very honest and good person whom I have held in high esteem; who, having taught the scripture for many years, has not wavered from the truth." Brother Don Cooper of the LaGrange, Ohio, church of Christ said, "While I was preaching at the Wadsworth, Ohio, congregation, Jim spoke there and all the years I have known him he has been a faithful gospel preacher."

In addition to 32 years of preaching in Ohio, he has done mission work in Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Indiana - as well as in Nova Scotia in Canada. Jim says that God has blessed him and his wife richly. Jim and Carol had one daughter, Heather M., who married David Keith of Covington, Tennessee, in June of 2001. The Keiths have one son, Ian Thomas, age 3, and a second child was expected in July of 2006. Jim desires that prayers be given for his continuance of the Lord's work, his health, and the health of his wife, Carol, who is in the Mayfield Rehabilitation Center, 200 Mayfield Lane, Smyrna, Tennessee, 37167. Jim says, "May Christ's name be praised daily wherever humans live." I remember Jim's coming to lectureships at the WV School of Preaching while I was a student there. 1050A, Walker Addition, Elkview, WV 25071.

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