SOUNDBITE (English) Philip Anthony Mitchell, Lead Pastor 2819 Church

“I honestly believe that what is happening right now with our ministry is a divine, sovereign movement of God.”  

 

IN 2023, AFTER 8 YEARS AS VICTORY CHURCH IN ATLANTA, PASTOR PHILIP ANTHONY MITCHELL AND HIS TEAM DECIDED TO REBRAND THEIR NONDENOMINATIONAL CONGREGATION.

SOUNDBITE (English) Tatjuana Phillips, Director of Ministries at 2819 Church

“We went from 180 people to like 5, 6 thousand very quickly.”  

NOW NAMED FOR THE BIBLE VERS, MATTHEW 28:19, HAS SEEN A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN FOLLOWERS, WITH MITHCELL’S MESSAGES SPREADING QUICKLY ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

SOUNDBITE (English) Nyriyah Hullman, Welcome Team at 2819 Church

“How I found this church was from TikTok. And I decided to stay because I prayed on it and asked God if this was the church he wanted me to attend.” 

 

SOUNDBITE (English) Barmel Lyons, Digital Engagement at 2819 Church

“Pastor has a heart for digital disciples. He wants to wrap his arms around them digitally and let them know that they are loved. There’s thousands online every Sunday.” 

 

THE CHURCH ON AVERAGE ENGAGES WITH ABOUT 75,000 PEOPLE IN THE ONLINE SERVICES EACH WEEK.

BUT THEY’VE ALSO SEEN GREAT SUCCESS IN-PERSON WITH LINES ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY WRAPPING AROUND THE CHURCH BUILDING BEFORE DAWN AS REGULARS AND NEWCOMERS ENSURE THEIR SPOTS IN SERVICE.

SOUNDBITE (English) Debra Sever, Attendee of 2819 Church 

“I get up at 3:30 every morning on Sundays to come to worship, to come for community.”  

MANY ARE DRAWN TO MITCHELL’S ANIMATED INTENSITY AND SIGNATURE PREACHING. SOME SAY HIS PERSONAL JOURNEY, INCLUDING DRUG DEALING AND STRUGGLING WITH SUICIDE, RESONATES.

SOUNDBITE (English) Philip Anthony Mitchell, Lead Pastor 2819 Church

“Sometimes I don't know why my preaching is reaching the various people groups that are being reached. I really don’t know. I think there are times when I’m still shocked myself.  

SOUNDBITE (English) Philip Anthony Mitchell, Lead Pastor 2819 Church

“I was raised in the hood. I don't have a seminary degree. I'm still a little rough around the edges. And I think for me, sometimes, I stand up on Sunday and I'll turn my back to the church and I'll just cry staring at the screen. When I see the beauty of what Jesus is doing.” 

SOUNDBITE (English) Barmel Lyons, Digital Engagement at 2819 Church 

“Pastor Philip isn’t a buttoned-up preacher, he’s himself and I think that’s why he connects with so many people.” 

SOUNDBITE (English) Brooklyn Marshall, Welcome Team at 2819 Church

“He gets his preaching straight from the word. He don’t care about nobody’s feelings. He’s going to tell you exactly how it is. If it hurts your feelings, it’s going to hurt your feelings. He don’t sugarcoat anything at all.” 

 

THE CHURCH ATTRACTS PEOPLE OF MANY RACES AND AGES, BUT THEIR YOUTH IS NOTABLE SINCE AMERICANS AGES 18 TO 24 ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE RELIGIOUSLY UNAFFILIATED THAN OLDER ADULTS, ACCORDING TO PEW RESEARCH CENTER.  

 

SOUNDBITE (English) Philip Anthony Mitchell, Lead Pastor 2819 Church

“The Gen Zs and the Millennials, and those coming behind them, there is a hunger for spirituality, and I think a hunger for authenticity. I think a lot of them are tired of fluff.”  

SOUNDBITE (English) Philip Anthony Mitchell, Lead Pastor 2819 Church

“I still wrestle feeling like I'm not properly equipped again to do this. And so for me, leading a ministry and preaching and traveling and speaking and podcasting and all the things, it is not glory for me, it is a cross that I carry.”