Alumni Spotlight: Ray Mixon

Ray Mixon had just retired from a 30-year career at Ford Motor Company when he enrolled in the Church Ministries program at Trinity Baptist College.  

He had served as a deacon at Trinity Baptist Church for over a decade, taught Sunday School, and was involved in many other areas of ministry, but was looking for more.

“I always wanted to go to college, but I had a good job…so I took all of the available night classes at Trinity.  By the time I retired from Ford (in 1989), I had a year and three quarters worth of credits.” 

It was then that he enrolled full-time, graduating in 1991 with his Bachelor’s degree in Church Ministries.  He describes his time at TBC as exciting, saying he loved interacting with the “kids”, as he calls his then-classmates.  He also enjoyed learning from professors he had known on a personal level for many years; he was confident in their dedication and passion for both education and ministry.  After graduation, Ray pastored for 10 years at Crossroads Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida.

After retiring from the pastorate, Ray, along with his wife, Beverly, were still looking for ways to be active in ministry.

“By then I was 64 years old, but I still wanted to do something, you know.  So, my friend, Clint Andrews (associated with Gideon International), said ‘come with me to Cuba!’… that’s how it all started. I fell in love with Cuba, hook, line, and sinker.  Since then, I’ve been there about 45 times over the years.”

In those 45 trips since 2003, Ray and Beverly have supported dozens of projects through Vision with Compassion.

Each trip has fulfilled two purposes: to meet physical needs in order to also address spiritual needs.  These needs range from gathering food and medical supplies, to helping train pastors and lead Vacation Bible Schools.  Ray has travelled the length of the country, visiting hundreds of house churches. He describes the Cuban church as “…so joyful – they have no material things – every day they have to go out and find something to eat.  Jesus is their only hope… they are on fire and excited!”

What started as somewhat of a personal mission for Ray soon developed into an organized effort. 

Ray, along with Clint Andrews and fellow TBC grad Mike Grover, established Vision with Compassion. This organization “exists to raise support for the ongoing work of the church in Cuba so that every person in every town, city, and community hear the gospel and experience the redeeming love of Jesus.”

For years, Ray (and other Vision with Compassion team members) have traveled with suitcases packed with supplies. The contents are distributed to those in need, at the discretion of the local ministry leaders in Cuba.  While there, Vision With Compassion representatives offer support in whatever ways were needed most. Often it takes the shape of helping to train leaders or to serve as a spiritual encouragement to the churches.  Beverly Mixon often focuses on the administrative side of Vision with Compassion, but she also travels to Cuba with Ray and loves to help disciple women and see the energy and excitement they have for the gospel. 

In 2020, Vision with Compassion had to get creative with its methodology.

Travel to and from Cuba became prohibited. It wasn’t long before Vision With Compassion launched a new strategy. Instead of sending people, they pivoted to sending shipping containers packed to the brim with supplies.  Spreading the word to churches and individuals, they shared specific needs and saw the donations pour in.  Pallets of canned or dried food, cooking oil, backpacks filled with basic medical supplies and hygiene products, teaching materials, Bibles, and even chairs!  Last year, they were even able to ship 27 generators to help address the issues associated with the blackouts happening in Cuba.  Eventually, travel restrictions lifted, and Vision with Compassion resumed in-person visits. But the shipping container projects remain in operation.

Ray is thrilled to see the positive impact of Vision with Compassion. But he is quick to point out that he is just one person among many who make it happen.  

Just within his home church, he named a long list of individuals who regularly donate, show up to pack the containers, and spread the word of specific needs.  

“The supplies meet physical needs, but we do it because it shows the love of Christ and it can open the door to reach people who are far from us.  And I don’t want anyone to get the impression that we are doing all of this – we are just one small spoke in the wheel.”

Vision with Compassion is an example of what God can do with one person who is willing to “do something”.

With conditions getting worse in Cuba each year, more and more able-bodied young people are leaving the country.  This means there is a growing number of children and elderly who say behind and need support in Cuba.  Additionally, many of the expats come to the US, so Vision with Compassion helps to get them connected. This means introducing them to communities, churches, and helping them find employment.  If you are interested in getting involved, please visit the Vision With Compassion page on Facebook. Alternatively, you can message us to get in touch with Ray Mixon!

Ray and Beverly Mixon