Ever since his ninth-grade wrestling coach asked him whether he would go to heaven if he died that very day, John Drage has been pursuing a life of knowing Jesus Christ and making him known. John has ministered to students on the MU campus since 1991 and has been the pastor of The Rock Campus Church at Mizzou since its founding in 2000.

But now, that question about heaven that seemed so far-off to 15-year-old John in 1981 has taken on a very different tenor for him. This past February, John was given a diagnosis of glioblastoma, an aggressive, fast-moving form of cancer with no known cure. Typical life expectancy upon diagnosis is less than 18 months.

In light of his diagnosis, John has clung even more tightly to Psalm 16:5, where David declared, “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.” Each day, John continues to live for Jesus Christ, embracing his portion and his cup, knowing that his lot is secure despite his diagnosis.

His continued faith and devotion to Jesus will be a blessing and inspiration to all of us as we continue to grow in our knowledge of what it means to participate in the divine nature.

John and his wife Amy live in Columbia. In addition to his ministry, John enjoys competing in IronMan triathlons (still!) and spending time with Amy and their children Josh, Jessie, Caleb and Than.