University of North Carolina football team chaplain Mitch Mason continues to serve others through his ministry despite battling a rare neurological disease.
Mason has served as UNC’s team chaplain since 2012, but 2019 everything changed for him. He’s been dealing with idiopathic small fiber neuropathy, a rare illness that has repeatedly put him in the hospital. Now, most of his work with the team is from his home office, but that doesn’t stop him from leading others to Christ.
“Mitch has shown generations of athletes what it looks like to trust Christ in victory, adversity and suffering alike,” Rick Isaiah, FCA Chief Field Officer, said in a press release from Hamilton Strategies. “Mitch’s mantra in the midst of his battle is ‘keep swinging,’ and that is evident as he faces tremendous physical challenges. Mitch ‘keeps swinging’ and continues to proclaim the hope of the Gospel with remarkable joy. His example reminds us that one faithful servant can impact generations.”
Since being diagnosed with Idiopathic Small Fiber Neuropathy, Mason has not stopped influencing people for the Kingdom.
“I learned a lot from Mitch about the ministry of presence and just being available,” Elizabeth Ledford, FCA Eastern North Carolina Multi-Area Director said. “Mitch has a dynamic personality. Whether he’s teaching Scripture or talking one-on-one, he’s always pointing people to Christ.”
In a post on his social media page, Mason shared some of the things that he has dealt with but reminded his followers that Christ is stronger than all of them.
“What shall I say? Shall…Idiopathic Small Fiber Neuropathy, Dysautonomia, Intestinal Failure, Mitochondria Disease, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, Adult Failure To Thrive separate me from the love of Christ? Please! I’m forever anchored to the Captain of my Salvation!” Mason wrote, referring to Romans 8:35-39.
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Mason has lived in hospice care in his home since January but continues to encourage others through phone calls, Bible readings, prayers and more.
“This joy that I have, the world didn’t give it to me and the world can’t take it away,” Mason declared. “That’s what I want them to see, that even though he may be suffering, he’s smiling through it. [I want people to say,] ‘Whatever you have, I want it.’ I get how Paul felt in that prison when he said, ‘I’m being poured out as a drink offering.’ I get it now. My life belongs to Jesus Christ, and I’m going to go down swinging.”
Even as illness has confined him to hospice care at home, Mason continues to embody the faith he has spent a career sharing, proving that unwavering hope can shine brightest amid the darkest suffering.
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