My dear friend, Ray Mixon, went home to be with the Lord last Saturday. I want to honor him for his influence on my life and because of the example he set of what a Christian man should be.

I first knew Ray as the father of three teenage daughters in our youth group at Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. One of the common challenges in student ministry is when parents let their teenagers shape their opinions of the youth pastor. That never happened with Ray and Beverly. They faithfully supported our ministry and stood with us, even during difficult times.

Ray was an example of a godly father--consistent, compassionate and courageous when it mattered most. He never compromised his convictions to earn his kids' approval. When other parents would give in to pressure, Ray stood firm in what he believed was right.

He was a devoted church member who served his church in many ways. He loved the Word of God and taught it faithfully in our youth classes. When he retired after thirty-plus years with Ford Motor Company, he did not seek an easy life of retirement. Instead, he invested himself in missions through Vision with Compassion, a ministry to churches in communist Cuba.

When Clint Andrews, my uncle who founded the mission, passed away, Ray immediately stepped in to keep the work going. I had the privilege of traveling to Cuba with him to preach the gospel and serve in children’s ministry. God blessed this open door into a communist country with many conversions and much encouragement and strengthening for the churches there. Vision with Compassion continues today, standing alongside churches who face ongoing opposition from the government. As one Cuban pastor told me, “They chew us up but don’t swallow us.”

Even in his later years, Ray never slowed down. At 87, just days before his passing last week, Ray was still actively serving Jesus. This should be the aspiration of every man who names the name of Christ. The memory of my friend inspires me to press on and remain steadfast unto death. I’m grateful for the hope we have in Christ and the assurance that I will see Ray again on that golden shore.