Micah Luther Sheppard loved to speak in front of a crowd. Aspiring to be a motivational speaker, 17-year-old Sheppard had a special passion for sharing the love of God—so much that his classmates at Golden Gate Academy affectionately nicknamed him “Brother” and “Preacher.”

On May 3, Sheppard, along with three other GGA students, was involved in a car accident. While the three other passengers were not seriously injured, Sheppard died the next day from sustained injuries. A funeral service was held May 13 at the GGA auditorium, which was filled with family and friends who came to celebrate Sheppard’s life. Although he is at rest, his life continues to testify of the love of Jesus Christ.

A close friend of Sheppard’s, Stephen Groce, can attest of Sheppard’s ability to share God’s love. “He and I both preached for Christian Education Day this past year,” said Groce, a junior. “When he got up to preach, he sounded like he had been doing it for years. He was really in tune with God.”

However, Sheppard did more than just preach—he got involved. Recognizing a need for a youth component to an existing ministry at his Oakland Market Street church, Sheppard volunteered to initiate the project himself.

“He met the challenge of coming up with something for the youth by sitting with the scholars of the church,” said Virce Miller, Bible instructor at Market Street. “Micah was not only the initiator of our current Multi Ministries Youth program, but he helped execute the entire project.”

Sheppard demonstrated leadership at his school as well. An honor student, former president of the Student Association and captain of the basketball team, Sheppard participated actively in school life. At school he exhibited a positive influence on his friends.

“He was always teaching me things,” said Roma Williams, a junior. “If I had a problem, he would always ask me first, ‘Did you ask God?’ He would comfort people, and people would just feel comfortable to share their problems with him.”

José Monter, a senior, agrees. “To me, Micah was a leader—a spiritual leader. I admired the way he stood up, even if he stood by himself.”

Sheppard was also a leader on the basketball court. Samuel Takata III, science teacher, noticed Sheppard’s intensity on the court. “He played hard,” said Takata. “Although he was one of the smaller guys on the court, he never had any fear playing with the bigger guys.”

Marrico Shropshire, a junior, remembers meeting Sheppard for the first time on the court. “At first, I was intimidated by him because I had heard a lot about the way he played basketball,” said Shropshire. “In the end, we both developed the mentality of ‘I take care of you, you take of me.’ We were brothers.”

Chris Watson, a junior, also remembers Sheppard’s positive influence on his life. “Micah always had a smile on his face,” said Watson. “If I would come in the morning not feeling that great, he’d brighten up my day with his energy that he brought to the room. He loved the Lord; he brought me and my friends closer to God.”