Philip Anthony Mitchell is an Atlanta-based Pastor, Speaker, and Christian Ministry Leader best known as the Founder and Lead Pastor of 2819 CHURCH. He also founded the 2819 INSTITUTE, extending his work beyond the pulpit into Christian education, discipleship, and leadership development.
Mitchell’s story stretches from his roots in Queens, New York, to his current role as the leader of a growing Christian ministry in Atlanta, Georgia. Along the way, he pursued higher education, married Lena Mitchell, raised a family, and experienced a spiritual turning point during a 2018 trip to Israel.
His ministry has developed into a combination of Church leadership, Biblical Teaching, Evangelism, Discipleship, and digital outreach. In 2026, another chapter is taking shape with the release of his first book, Contend: Standing Boldly for Biblical Truth While Winning the War Within. The book is scheduled to be published on October 13, 2026, and explores themes that have long been part of Mitchell’s preaching, including Biblical Truth, Christian commitment, and the call to actively live out one’s faith.
Quick Bio Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Philip Anthony Mitchell |
| Profession | Pastor, Speaker, and Christian Leader |
| Origin | Queens, New York |
| Ministry Base | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Church | 2819 CHURCH |
| Church Position | Founder and Lead Pastor |
| Other Ministry | 2819 INSTITUTE |
| Undergraduate Education | North Carolina Central University |
| Academic Achievement | Honors Graduate |
| Pastoral Education | Pastoral and Church Leadership |
| Additional College | Valor Christian College |
| Wife | Lena Mitchell |
| Marriage | Married Since August 2004 |
| Children | Two Sons and Two Daughters |
| Family Home | Atlanta Area |
| Ministry Focus | Gospel, Discipleship, Evangelism, and the Great Commission |
| Major Spiritual Experience | Israel, December 2018 |
| Book | Contend |
| Book Release | October 13, 2026 |
Who Is Philip Anthony Mitchell?
Philip Anthony Mitchell is a Christian Pastor and Communicator whose public work centers on helping people understand and practice their faith. He is the Founder and Lead Pastor of 2819 CHURCH in Atlanta, as well as the Founder of the 2819 INSTITUTE.
His official biography describes him as deeply committed to the Great Commission, the development of the Disciples and Digital Disciples of 2819, and spreading the Gospel throughout the United States and around the world.
That mission helps explain why Mitchell’s work extends beyond traditional Church services. His ministry brings together preaching, Scripture-based teaching, discipleship, digital communication, and Gospel outreach. The 2819 Church podcast has also continued to publish messages from Mitchell and other Christian communicators, giving listeners another way to engage with the ministry.
Philip Anthony Mitchell’s Early Life And Background
Philip Anthony Mitchell is a native of Queens, New York. Beyond that, publicly available biographical information about his childhood is limited. Details about his parents, siblings, early schooling, and other aspects of his upbringing aren’t extensively documented in reliable public sources.
What is known is the direction his life eventually took. His education and pastoral training prepared him for Christian leadership, while his later work in Atlanta established the foundation of the ministry for which he’s now known.
For readers researching Philip Anthony Mitchell’s biography, his Queens background provides an important starting point. However, it’s more useful to focus on the portions of his life that are supported by public records and his own published biography rather than speculate about details that haven’t been documented.
Philip Anthony Mitchell’s Education
Education has been an important part of Mitchell’s preparation for ministry. He graduated with honors from North Carolina Central University and later earned a degree in Pastoral and Church Leadership from Valor Christian College.
That academic background connects closely with the work he does today. Mitchell isn’t involved only in preaching. His responsibilities include Church leadership, Christian Teaching, Discipleship, and developing believers within his ministry.
His formal training in Pastoral and Church Leadership provides additional context for his approach to ministry. At the same time, the public record doesn’t offer a complete timeline of every educational or professional step he took before becoming the leader of 2819 CHURCH. Keeping that distinction clear helps separate established information from assumptions.
Philip Anthony Mitchell’s Journey Into Ministry
The full story of Mitchell’s early ministry career isn’t available as a detailed year-by-year timeline. However, more recent reporting provides additional context about the years leading up to the growth of 2819 CHURCH.
An Associated Press report published in December 2025 said Mitchell had spent about a decade preaching before the major expansion of his current Church. The report also described a difficult period in which he struggled with depression and questioned whether he was equipped to lead the ministry that eventually became 2819 CHURCH.
That background adds another layer to his story. The ministry’s later growth didn’t happen overnight. Mitchell had already spent years preaching before the congregation reached the size and visibility it has today.
According to the same Associated Press report, Mitchell changed the Church’s name to 2819 in 2023. That change is significant because it marks a relatively recent stage in the ministry’s development and helps explain why much of the current public information about 2819 CHURCH focuses on its rapid growth in recent years.
What Is 2819 CHURCH?
2819 CHURCH is the Atlanta-based Christian Church founded and led by Philip Anthony Mitchell. Its identity is closely tied to the Great Commission and the Biblical command to make disciples.
The Church describes itself as a Christ-centered movement built around the Gospel. Its stated areas of focus include worship, service, discipleship, community, outreach, and generosity. The name 2819 reflects its connection with Matthew 28:19, a passage in which Jesus instructs His followers to make disciples of all nations.
The ministry also has a strong digital component. Alongside its in-person Church activities, 2819 CHURCH uses online platforms and podcasting to make its teaching available beyond Atlanta.
That broader reach is an important part of understanding Mitchell’s ministry today. His audience isn’t limited to people who walk through the doors of the Church each week. Digital content allows his sermons and teachings to reach people in other communities and countries as well.
Philip Anthony Mitchell’s Role At 2819 CHURCH
As the Founder and Lead Pastor, Mitchell is the central public leader of 2819 CHURCH. Preaching and teaching are major parts of his role, although the Church also operates with a broader leadership team and other communicators.
The ministry’s growth has attracted considerable attention. An Associated Press report from December 2025 said 2819 CHURCH reported approximately 6,000 weekly worshippers, compared with fewer than 200 in 2023.
Those attendance numbers were reported by the Church, so they should be treated as the organization’s own figures rather than independently audited statistics. Even with that qualification, the figures illustrate the scale of growth reported by the ministry in a relatively short period.
The Associated Press also noted the strong presence of young adults within the congregation and described the distinctive atmosphere surrounding Mitchell’s preaching. These observations provide outside context for the Church’s development and public profile.
What Is The 2819 INSTITUTE?
The 2819 INSTITUTE is another ministry established by Philip Anthony Mitchell. His official biography identifies him as its Founder, placing the Institute alongside 2819 CHURCH as one of the central parts of his work.
The Institute fits naturally into Mitchell’s larger emphasis on equipping believers. His ministry frequently stresses discipleship and spiritual development, with the idea that Christians should not simply hear teaching but also grow in their ability to live out their faith.
Publicly available information about the Institute’s full history, programs, and structure remains limited. For that reason, specific claims about enrollment, courses, or institutional achievements shouldn’t be made without additional documentation. What can be established is Mitchell’s role as Founder and the Institute’s place within his wider ministry vision.
Philip Anthony Mitchell’s Ministry And Christian Mission
The Great Commission sits at the center of Philip Anthony Mitchell’s ministry. His official biography says he’s committed to equipping the “Disciples and Digital Disciples” of 2819 and spreading the Gospel across the nation and around the world.
That emphasis is visible in the ministry’s digital work as well. The official 2819 podcast publishes Christian teaching designed to encourage listeners, deepen their faith, and help them grow in their relationship with God.
Digital outreach has become an increasingly important part of modern Christian ministry. For Mitchell, it provides a way to extend the message of 2819 beyond its Atlanta congregation. Sermons and teachings can be accessed by people who may never attend the Church in person, making digital discipleship an important part of the ministry’s broader approach.
Philip Anthony Mitchell’s Israel Experience In 2018
A December 2018 trip to Israel stands out as an important spiritual experience in Mitchell’s own account of his life. After returning from Israel, he said he developed a deep concern about what he viewed as the condition of Christianity in America and the wider Western world.
Mitchell has connected that experience with his renewed emphasis on reverence for God, Biblical Christianity, repentance, and Christian mission. These are his personal religious convictions and should be understood in that context rather than presented as objective assessments of Christianity as a whole.
The experience also appears in accounts of his personal and ministry development. The Associated Press reported that Mitchell regarded the Israel trip as transformative, particularly during a difficult period after years of preaching.
For someone studying Philip Anthony Mitchell’s ministry, this experience helps explain the urgency often found in his later preaching. It wasn’t simply a travel experience in his telling; he considers it an important spiritual milestone.
Philip Anthony Mitchell’s Views On Christianity In America
Mitchell has been outspoken about what he sees as problems within Christianity in America and the Western world. His published writing expresses concern about what he considers declining reverence for God, compromise within the Christian faith, and a departure from Biblical principles.
His response has been centered on prayer, preaching, repentance, and encouraging Christians to take their faith and mission seriously. That direct approach has become a defining feature of his public communication.
It’s important, however, to distinguish Mitchell’s beliefs from independently established facts. His views about the condition of Christianity represent his theological perspective. Presenting them accurately means making clear that they’re his interpretation and conviction, rather than treating them as universally accepted conclusions.
Philip Anthony Mitchell’s Preaching Style
Mitchell’s official biography describes him as a bold leader and passionate communicator. Reporting about his ministry provides further insight into how he approaches preaching.
According to an Associated Press report published in 2025, Mitchell had spent several years preaching through the Gospel of Matthew. The report also said he had adopted an unusual approach to sermon preparation, including preaching without prepared notes while on stage.
That approach helps explain why his preaching can feel conversational and immediate. Rather than relying heavily on a written script during the service, Mitchell has described a style that allows him to speak directly to his congregation while working through Biblical themes.
His ongoing podcast content also shows the range of subjects covered in his teaching. Recent messages have addressed prayer, repentance, Christian identity, spiritual preparation, unity, and the teachings of Jesus.
Who Is Philip Anthony Mitchell’s Wife?
Philip Anthony Mitchell is married to Lena Mitchell. The couple has been married since August 2004 and lives in the Atlanta area with their four children.
Lena has her own connection to Christian education and Church leadership. According to 2819 CHURCH’s public biography, she is a native of Durham, North Carolina, graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Valor Christian College.
The Church also states that she serves alongside her husband in leadership and administration. Her involvement gives her a documented role within the ministry rather than making her known only through her marriage to Philip Anthony Mitchell.
How Many Children Does Philip Anthony Mitchell Have?
Philip Anthony Mitchell and Lena Mitchell have four children: two sons and two daughters. The family makes its home in the Atlanta area.
Beyond those basic details, reliable public information about their children is limited. Their names, ages, schools, and private activities aren’t necessary to understand Mitchell’s professional career or public ministry, so they shouldn’t be filled in through speculation.
For a biography focused on Philip Anthony Mitchell, the confirmed information establishes an important part of his personal life. He has been married to Lena since 2004 and is the father of four children while leading a growing Christian ministry.
Philip Anthony Mitchell’s Ministry Growth
The growth of 2819 CHURCH is one of the most notable developments in Mitchell’s recent career. According to Associated Press reporting, the Church experienced significant expansion after Mitchell shifted his focus away from simply trying to grow the congregation.
The Church reported approximately 6,000 weekly worshippers in 2025, compared with fewer than 200 in 2023. Again, these figures came from the Church itself and weren’t presented as independently audited attendance numbers.
The scale of that reported increase helps explain why Philip Anthony Mitchell has received more public attention in recent years. It also shows how different his current ministry is from the earlier period when he was preaching to a much smaller audience.
The Associated Press noted that young adults made up a visible part of the congregation and that Mitchell’s preaching played an important role in the Church’s public identity. Those observations offer useful context alongside the ministry’s own description of its mission.
Philip Anthony Mitchell’s Book Contend
In 2026, Mitchell is expanding his public ministry into book publishing with Contend: Standing Boldly for Biblical Truth While Winning the War Within. The book is scheduled for release on October 13, 2026, through W Publishing, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing.
According to the book’s official material, Contend draws from Jude’s Biblical call to contend for the faith. Mitchell examines two areas of Christian struggle: pressures coming from outside the Church and personal struggles within the believer.
The book’s message reflects themes that have already appeared throughout Mitchell’s ministry. It presents Christian commitment as something that requires action, faithfulness, and personal examination rather than simply strong words.
The book also offers additional insight into Mitchell’s personal testimony. Its official material says he came to faith in November 2003 during a crisis in which he was contemplating suicide. It also describes later struggles with depression, challenges within ministry, and a period when he questioned whether he should continue in leadership.
Those personal accounts come from Mitchell’s own book materials and should be treated as his testimony rather than independently verified medical or psychological history.
Philip Anthony Mitchell In 2026
Philip Anthony Mitchell remains active in Christian preaching, Church leadership, digital teaching, and ministry development in 2026. His sermons continue to appear through 2819 CHURCH’s digital platforms, while Christian media has also featured his teaching.
The release of Contend represents another significant step in his public career. Until now, Mitchell has primarily been recognized as a Pastor and Preacher. Becoming a published author gives him another way to develop the themes that have shaped his ministry and reach readers who may encounter his message outside a Church service.
At the same time, 2819 CHURCH remains the central setting for his work. His role as Pastor, his digital teaching, the 2819 INSTITUTE, and his new work as an author are all connected by the same broader focus on Christian faith, discipleship, and the Gospel.
Final Thoughts
Philip Anthony Mitchell’s story combines Christian ministry, education, family life, personal testimony, and the rapid development of a Church movement. A native of Queens, New York, he went on to graduate with honors from North Carolina Central University and earn a degree in Pastoral and Church Leadership from Valor Christian College.
He later became the Founder and Lead Pastor of 2819 CHURCH in Atlanta and established the 2819 INSTITUTE as another part of his ministry work. His marriage to Lena Mitchell, which began in August 2004, and their four children are also important parts of his personal story.
The growth of 2819 CHURCH has added another dimension to his public profile. Reporting from 2025 documented substantial growth in the congregation, while Mitchell’s sermons and digital content have allowed his teaching to reach audiences beyond Atlanta.
His December 2018 experience in Israel remains another key part of the story. Mitchell has described that experience as spiritually transformative and has linked it to his increasingly urgent message about Biblical Christianity, repentance, reverence, and Christian mission.
Now, in 2026, the upcoming publication of Contend offers a new way to understand the themes behind his ministry. The book’s focus on standing firmly in the Christian faith while confronting personal and cultural struggles closely reflects the message Mitchell has developed through years of preaching.
For readers searching for Philip Anthony Mitchell’s biography, the most useful picture is therefore broader than a simple account of his career. His Queens background, education, marriage, children, Church leadership, digital ministry, preaching style, personal testimony, and authorship all contribute to understanding the Pastor and public Christian communicator he is today.
FAQs About Philip Anthony Mitchell
Who Is Philip Anthony Mitchell?
Philip Anthony Mitchell is a Pastor, Speaker, and Christian Ministry Leader from Queens, New York. He’s the Founder and Lead Pastor of 2819 CHURCH in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Founder of the 2819 INSTITUTE. His ministry focuses on the Gospel, Discipleship, Evangelism, and the Great Commission.
Where Is Philip Anthony Mitchell From?
Philip Anthony Mitchell is a native of Queens, New York. He later established his ministry in Atlanta, Georgia, where he and his family live and where 2819 CHURCH is based.
Who Is Philip Anthony Mitchell’s Wife?
His wife is Lena Mitchell. They have been married since August 2004. Lena has a background in Christian education and serves alongside Philip in the leadership and administration of 2819 CHURCH.
How Many Children Does Philip Anthony Mitchell Have?
Philip Anthony Mitchell and Lena Mitchell have four children, including two sons and two daughters. The family lives in the Atlanta area.
What Church Does Philip Anthony Mitchell Lead?
Philip Anthony Mitchell is the Founder and Lead Pastor of 2819 CHURCH in Atlanta. The ministry focuses on the Gospel, worship, discipleship, service, community, outreach, and the Great Commission.
What Is The 2819 INSTITUTE?
The 2819 INSTITUTE is a Christian ministry founded by Philip Anthony Mitchell. It forms part of his broader work of equipping believers and developing disciples. His official biography identifies him as the Institute’s Founder.
What Did Philip Anthony Mitchell Study?
Mitchell graduated with honors from North Carolina Central University. He also earned a degree in Pastoral and Church Leadership from Valor Christian College, giving him formal training that relates closely to his work in Christian Ministry and Church Leadership.
What Is Philip Anthony Mitchell’s Book Contend About?
Contend: Standing Boldly for Biblical Truth While Winning the War Within explores the Christian call to contend for the faith. According to its official description, Mitchell addresses both external cultural pressures and internal struggles while emphasizing the importance of remaining faithful. The book is scheduled for release on October 13, 2026.
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