Facing mortality - a strong Christian faith
It was during late August of 2016 that I met Rev. Joseph Mitchell, his wife Nicole, and their four children. On Sept. 6 of that year, my newspaper column on the Mitchell family was titled ‘Family receives a warm welcome to Stewiacke.’
The interview with Rev. Joseph took place at both the Stewiacke Baptist Church and the Mitchell family home.
“This is my first experience as a lead pastor,” Rev. Joseph, 37, said in 2016. “We know God has called us into a season of growth.”
According to people I’ve talked to, Rev. Joseph proceeded to carry on some magnificent work at Stewiacke Baptist.
“A year after a genetics test, I was diagnosed in March of 2020 with frontotemporal dementia, known as FTD,” Rev. Joseph, 44, of Truro, told me recently. “The neurologist who diagnosed me, he said I had three to five years to live, and that was three years ago. I’m of course praying for a miracle; I’m praying that I can live 15 years plus.
“God has given me a little wink on that one, he will extend my time. I often pray ‘Lord, restore my health, extend my life.’ My highest priority though is to love and disciple my children. I want them to follow Jesus; I pray they will live strong Christian lives.”
Spending time with Rev. Joseph, I sense that some situations in public might be challenging for him. However, it is uplifting to see him smile, and how he gently deals with things while using a choice of words that borderline on being amazing. Personal observations are on my mind, and I listen closely when he speaks of restrictions caused by his illness.
“I have problems putting names to faces,” he has told me on occasion.
Although not understanding his illness well, I observe that Rev. Joseph might find it more difficult when in a large group of people. But ‘when we are together one on one’ having refreshments or driving in my car, Rev. Joseph appears to be in a much more relaxed state of mind. He seems much sharper mentally, an example would be interviewing him recently when he proceeded to share a well-detailed rundown on his children,
“Bella Nicole is my oldest, she is now 20 and attends Crandall University,” Rev. Joseph said. “Bella is studying theology; she has shown an interest in missionary work. Serafyn is 14, she attends Colchester Christian Academy and is in Grade 9. Lydia is 13 and in Grade 7 at the Christian Academy, Josiah is eight and he’s in Grade 2.”
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a disease quite new to me. Through minimal research, I’ve read that FTD is a brain disorder caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain, FTD progresses in behavior and language and brings on a decline in functioning. Once diagnosed, life expectancy is very short. FTD differs from Alzheimer’s disease, with different symptoms, it strikes younger people and is less common and lesser known.
“I’m a big believer in being outside for healthy fresh air and exercise,” Rev. Joseph told me. “I basically jog every day, I jog mainly around Truro – I jog as many as 15 kilometres some days, most days I jog at least 10 km.”
Appearing to be in good physical condition, Joseph’s youth included quite an involvement in sports. Growing up in Meadowville, near Greenwood, he attended Middleton Regional High School where he played soccer, volleyball, rugby and competed in track and field.
In 1997, Joseph played for the University of Kings College the Atlantic Canada (ACAA) men’s soccer champions.
With his refreshing sense of humour, Joseph shared.
“I wouldn’t say I was a star athlete or anything but if you played sports in high school, it made you popular with the girls. My first year at Kings College, I played soccer but I soon learned that Kings was a very artistic school and to attract the girls, you had to have high grades. My second year, I quit soccer and focused on getting higher grades.”
Joseph received his B.A. in English at Kings College and Dalhousie University, he later attended Acadia Divinity College for three years, receiving a Master’s in divinity.
Some of Joseph’s career highlights include being program director for three summers at Bayside Camp near Halifax. He was also editor of ‘Encounter,’ Bayside Camp’s quarterly publication. He was youth pastor at the First Congregational Church Of Halifax for seven years, he later volunteered in other Christian youth work.
Because of his health issue, Joseph left the pastoral of Stewiacke Baptist Church in late 2020. These days, he occasionally shares his story in a number of churches across Nova Scotia.
And for anyone interested in his story, it can be viewed on video, by Googling ‘700 Club, interview with Joseph Mitchell.’
“I’m not trying to become famous or anything but speaking in churches in person and through videos, I have to thank God for being able to share my story,” Joseph said. “As I walk this road with my health problem, it’s important that people see my peace and joy.
“Praise the Lord, the Holy Spirit gives different help to different Christians, God has given me peace, I thank God for that wonderful peace. In prayer, I share all my emotions with God, I pray ‘God, yours will be done.’ I want to continue to run the good race for God. Of course, I pray for healing, I pray for a miracle and if God prolongs my life, I want to help extend his kingdom. Whatever happens, I know God will do great things.”