Philip Anthony Mitchell went from a troubled teenager in Queens to the pastor of one of the fastest growing churches in America. This Philip Anthony Mitchell biography covers his early life, family, faith, career and the news that has people searching his name this week. Every fact comes from public reports, and where nothing is confirmed, we say so plainly.
Who Is Philip Anthony Mitchell and Why Does He Matter?
Philip Anthony Mitchell is an American pastor, preacher and author. He is the founder and lead pastor of 2819 Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and he also leads the 2819 Institute. Picture a small campfire that grew into a bonfire. A church that once struggled for numbers now sees crowds lining up before sunrise.
Why does that matter? Many churches find it hard to reach young adults. The Associated Press reported that lines of young adults form outside 2819 Church, with some people arriving as early as 5:30 a.m. They come for the prayer, the loud worship and a preaching style that does not sugarcoat the Bible. Fans love that honesty. Critics ask hard questions about parts of his teaching, and we cover that below.
| Quick Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Philip Anthony Mitchell |
| Known for | Founder and lead pastor of 2819 Church |
| Based in | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Hometown | Queens, New York |
| Wife | Lena Mitchell (reported) |
| New book | Contend |
| Date of birth | Not publicly confirmed |
Current Status: Why Is He Trending as of October 17, 2026?
- June 2026: Word In Black reported on his appearance at a youth conference led by Jentezen Franklin.
- October 10, 2026: ACCESS 2026 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
- October 14, 2026: His interview with The Breakfast Club was published by RELEVANT.
Three things landed within days of each other, and that is why his name is everywhere right now.
First, ACCESS 2026. On Saturday, October 10, 2026, an estimated 80,000 people filled AT&T Stadium for a night of prayer and worship with 2819 Church, according to the Christian Post. The 2025 event in Atlanta drew more than 30,000 people to State Farm Arena, so the church moved to a football stadium this year.
Second, a big interview. On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, he joined the hosts of The Breakfast Club. RELEVANT reported that he spoke openly about his past, including a birthday spent on Rikers Island, and said, “I enjoyed my sin.” He closed the segment by praying for the hosts.
Third, his new book. RELEVANT says his book, Contend, is out now, and a Dallas TV station also interviewed him about the book and ACCESS 2026.
Balanced view: Not every headline is glowing. Word In Black has covered a debate over his past teaching on obeying police, and reports say he later called parts of that framing harmful. The same outlet notes his reach is growing beyond the Black church. Supporters and critics are both watching closely.
What to Know About Philip Anthony Mitchell
Early Life and Family Background
He was born in Queens, New York. His parents came from Trinidad, and they were believers, but he says their faith made no sense to him as a kid. His story took a hard turn early. He says he was selling crack at 12 and robbing people at gunpoint by 17. He spent his 18th birthday on Rikers Island.
Legal trouble pushed him out of New York, and he spent roughly ten more years on the streets of North Carolina. By 24 he had a luxury car, a girlfriend and money in the bank, yet he felt empty. He says he was suicidal and survived an attempt. Then his girlfriend walked away from a car crash and played gospel music, which he had never heard. He saw peace on her face and wanted it. He says he cried out to God in a bathroom that day.
If this part of his story feels close to home, please talk to someone you trust or contact a local crisis line. You do not have to carry heavy days alone.
Career
He never planned to be a pastor. He says he read Proverbs 3:5 and 6 on April 14, 2004, and felt called, but he ran from it for four years before he gave in. His first church years were not easy. He has admitted he wanted to be rich, famous and known.
The AP reports that he spent about ten years preaching while chasing church growth tips from conferences, and he struggled with depression. In 2023 he renamed the church 2819. The name comes from Matthew 28:19, the passage known as the Great Commission. After that change, attendance surged. CNN reported more than 72 million YouTube views across over 50 countries.
Today his work includes 2819 Church, the 2819 Institute, 2819 Worship, the ACCESS prayer events and his book Contend. Think of him as a pastor, author and event host rolled into one busy calendar.
Age
His exact date of birth is not publicly confirmed in the reliable reports we reviewed. A few low quality websites print a specific age, but we could not trace those numbers to a trusted source, so we leave them out. We will update this page if he shares his birthday himself.
Religion
He is a Christian pastor. Word In Black says he describes his message as orthodox Christianity, with a focus on biblical authority, discipleship and personal holiness. He grew up around believers but did not believe himself until his life changed in his mid twenties.
Wife and Children
Public profiles say he is married to Lena Mitchell. Those profiles say they have been married since August 2004 and have two sons and two daughters. We could not confirm this through a second independent report, so treat it as reported. The names and details of his children are private, and we think they should stay that way.
Net Worth
No verified figure exists. Several websites publish a net worth number, but none shows real proof such as tax filings, book contracts or salary records. We will not repeat a guess and call it a fact.
What we can say is simple. His income may come from church work, speaking and book sales, but nobody outside his circle can know the real total. Be careful with any article that claims to know.
Parents
His parents are immigrants from Trinidad, and he says they were believers who read the Bible and prayed at home. Their names are not publicly confirmed. He has described the contrast between their faith and his own rebellion as a big part of his story.
Height
His height has not been shared in any trusted public source. Anyone listing a number is guessing. He is easy to spot on stage in his black hoodie, but that tells us nothing about inches.
Education
Public profiles say he graduated with honors from North Carolina Central University. They also say he earned a degree in Pastoral and Church Leadership from Valor Christian College. We saw these details in a profile that appears to draw on his church biography, so check the official 2819 Church website for the latest wording.
State of Origin
He was born in New York and calls Queens home, and he still speaks with a regional New York accent. His family roots go back to Trinidad. He later lived in North Carolina for years, and his ministry is now based in Georgia.
Social Media Link
Follow his verified Facebook page here: Philip Anthony Mitchell on Facebook. The page describes him as the pastor of 2819 Church and lists more than 850,000 followers. We only link accounts we could check ourselves, so look on the official church website for other profiles.
Where this information comes from: reports from the Associated Press, CNN, RELEVANT, the Christian Post, Word In Black and Charisma Magazine, plus his public Facebook page.
FAQ
Who is Philip Anthony Mitchell?
He is an American pastor and author. He founded 2819 Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and leads the 2819 Institute. He is known for bold, plain preaching and for large prayer events.
Where is Philip Anthony Mitchell from?
He was born in Queens, New York. His parents are immigrants from Trinidad. He later lived in North Carolina and now serves in Atlanta, Georgia.
Who is Philip Anthony Mitchell’s wife?
Public profiles say his wife is Lena Mitchell and that they have been married since August 2004. They are reported to have four children.
What is 2819 Church named after?
The name comes from Matthew 28:19, the Great Commission, where Jesus tells his followers to make disciples of all nations. The church took the name in 2023.
What is Philip Anthony Mitchell’s net worth?
There is no verified figure. Websites that print a number are guessing, so it is best to treat those claims with caution.
What is Philip Anthony Mitchell’s new book?
His new book is called Contend. RELEVANT reported in mid October 2026 that it is out now.
Final Word
Philip Anthony Mitchell’s story is one of sharp turns: a Queens childhood, years in trouble, a late night cry for help and a church that now fills stadiums. Whether you admire him or question parts of his message, the facts show a man whose reach is growing fast. As of October 17, 2026, his name is trending because of ACCESS 2026, a major interview and a new book.
We kept this biography honest. Where details like his age, height and net worth are not public, we said so instead of making something up. If he shares more, or if trusted outlets report new facts, we will update this page. Bookmark it and check back.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is based on public reports available as of October 17, 2026. We do not claim to speak for Philip Anthony Mitchell or 2819 Church. Details can change, and some personal facts are unconfirmed. For official information, please use the church’s own channels. If you spot an error, contact us and we will review it quickly.
