From the ICU to ministry: Mitchell's story

Mitchell Eades believes that God gave him a new chance at life after a coma, and now VBC is giving him a chance to study and train for ministry. 

From Perth in WA, Mitchell is a Whadjuk Noongar man. Even though he grew up singing Bible songs at church with his cousins, he only became a Christian five years ago. 

He describes his childhood as quite godless, despite going to church. “It was a tough upbringing. Even though we went to church on Sunday, no one around me really was living it. Every other day was different, a lot of alcohol and drug abuse.” 

This was a path Mitchell found himself walking down later as a teenager and then young adult. He describes himself ‘carrying on’ and getting further away from God. “I didn’t want to be accountable to anyone,” Mitchell remembers. Then, after a drug overdose, he landed in the ICU in a coma. 

His grandmother, who was a Christian, would come to visit him in the ICU and played him Christian music. When Mitchell eventually woke up from his coma, he felt like a transformation had taken place. He couldn’t shake the conviction that this change was due to God. “I never touched drugs again, and my heart knew that God had given me a second chance.” 

But things did not get easier for Mitchell straight away, as he searched for healing and meaning in a variety of places. He describes his battles with alcoholism and poor mental health as spiritual battles, and though he went to mediums, spiritual healers and therapists, he didn’t feel any of it helped. 

“I wasn't sleeping, and I didn’t really want to leave the house,” Mitchell says, “My mother had been through similar battles fifteen years ago, and she said ‘why don’t you give Jesus a try?’” 

Mitchell admitted that the idea of trying Jesus scared him, as he thought Christianity was only for a certain type of person - a perfect person. He knows now that he was wrong about that. “I ended up giving Jesus a try, and boy was I in for a shock. The peace I felt was unreal. I’ve never felt nothing like that so I knew it was something different. I knew it must be real and I kept pursuing it.” 

Mitchell started going to Balga Evangelical Aboriginal Church. Though the first few months at church were difficult, Mitchell persisted, day by day, and he  found a peace and healing he hadn’t been able to find in any of the other places he had looked. 

Five years on, he is involved in ministry and studying at Vocational Bible College. 

A ministry mentor told him about the opportunity to do some accredited theology study online, and printed off the forms for Mitchell. Reading through them, Mitchell was convinced it was the right fit for him, so he signed up. “The Lord opened the doorway, and I took the chance, and I hope to continue for as long as the Lord lets me continue.” 

Mitchell’s favourite unit has been the one about balancing ministry life with family life. Mitchell is married with an eight year old daughter, so it was a topic he found incredibly interesting and helpful to dive into. “It helped me have more balance with everything in life and just deal with the everyday stresses of ministry and family and church.” 

Mitchell had previously done a Certificate III in community services, but always found studying difficult, especially after leaving school early. So he was pleased to find that VBC’s assessments and courses were set up to help him succeed. “It’s very good. The instructions are well written, and they always take time if you have any questions or need any assistance understanding something. They’re just very kind and compassionate about what they do.” 

Mitchell admits the study is still a challenge sometimes, but the support has allowed him to grow as a student and a Christian. Studying online fits with Mitchell’s lifestyle and other commitments, and he has made new friends from lots of different places. “I love how we can just have great conversations, and talking about the Lord and understanding the Bible better, it just helps so much.” 

Apart from his studies, Mitchell is involved with the First Nations Ministry Training program, which works to bring ministry courses to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and local regional churches. Mitchell explains that the goal is to help people build their relationship with Jesus Christ, as well as get a better understanding of the Bible. Mitchell works with those who need help with reading and writing to access the discipleship courses - just as he has people walk alongside him in support and encouragement as he studies at VBC. 

To anyone considering studying at VBC, Mitchell says to go for it. “It’s a great opportunity. The trainers are so great, so patient and understanding, and really meet you where you are at, both in your walk with Christ and your studies. It will definitely help you grow.” 

Mitchell’s prayer is that through his studies at VBC he can continue to learn and gain understanding, continue to do the ministry work he is doing, and that God would grow him in wisdom and strength.