Licking Church of Christ hosts shoe drive
Photo by Shari Harris
Members of Licking Church of Christ offered free shoes to Licking students through sixth grade on Saturday evening. From left are Shirley Hart, Taylor Smith with Quinley, Pastor Mike Mitchell, Primli Smith, Shannon Smith, Prayli Smith, Linda Smith and Makayla Wilson.
By Shari Harris, Publisher
The Licking Church of Christ hosted a shoe drive, and on Saturday evening, they offered new shoes to Licking students through grade six at their shoe give-away.
Children were excited to get the shoes. Some hopped around, trying out the springiness of new tennis shoes. Parents welcomed the help in preparing their children for a new school year.
Pastor Mike Mitchell explained that there is a biblical backing for all that the church does and all that they support. In addition to the assistance with shoes, a list of basic Bible references was also available to those who wanted them. The pastor and members of the congregation were also willing to give those attending more information about the Church of Christ.
Pastor Mitchell returned to preach at the Licking Church of Christ as a substitute pastor when Pastor Jim Bobo had some health issues. When Pastor Bobo decided to step down from the position, Mitchell continued to fill in. That was in early spring of 2023, and he remains in the position.
Pastor Mitchell worked for the State of Missouri until the fall of 2023, when he retired and took a position with Missouri S&T. He had been living in Waynesville and attending the Lebanon Church of Christ.
But Licking held a lot of history for Pastor Mike Mitchell and his wife, Molinda. Pastor Mitchell was raised in Licking, and graduated from Licking High School in 1986. He grew up attending the church, and met Molinda there. Her parents grew up in Licking, though she was raised in the Rolla area. Mike and Molinda were married at the church in 1995, by Pastor Larry Tubbs.
Now the Mitchells live about ten miles south of Rolla near Pilot Knob. Their two sons live in Springfield, where one works and the other attends college while working. Molinda Mitchell is the principal of Williams Early Childhood Center, part of the Waynesville School District.
Pastor Mitchell said he was taught that it was his responsibility to fulfill roles in the church. He had given some talks and lessons before preaching in Licking, but never on a full-time basis.
“It’s been good to fulfill a need,” he said. “It takes caution and thought.”
He said he hopes he has made some difference in the community with his efforts.
The Church of Christ is Bible-based in all things. The men of the church meet once each month to decide what they would like to do or where they would like to go with their ministry efforts. They want to know their outreach is effective and if there are opportunities they are missing.
Pastor Mitchell’s parents, James and Janett Mitchell, had a strong influence on his beliefs. He recalls that conversations with them always took a religious turn. His father frequently quoted Ecclesiastes 12:13, ”Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (KJV)
“When I give lessons, I have the same mind set,” Pastor Mitchell said. “I respect, listen, obey and fear God.”
Pastor Mitchell and the congregation of Licking Church of Christ encourage you to come and bring your questions, come and let them give you a Biblical answer for the things you want to know. Licking Church of Christ is located at 203 South Main Street, Licking, just south of the post office. Sunday Bible Study begins at 10 a.m., with Worship at 10:45, a Sunday Fellowship Meal at noon and Sunday Afternoon Worship at 1 p.m. On Wednesday evening, a Bible Study begins at 6:30 p.m.
