If you’ve spent any time on Christian social media or in the Atlanta ministry scene lately, you’ve probably seen the name Philip Anthony Mitchell. He’s everywhere. But honestly, most people just see the viral clips of him preaching with that intense, "John the Baptist" energy and assume he’s just another polished mega-church pastor.
He isn't.
The story behind Philip Anthony Mitchell is a lot grittier than the high-production sermons suggest. While the "Philip Anthony Mitchell - Wikipedia" searches might give you the dry facts, the reality is a story of drug trafficking, suicidal despair, and a radical transformation that happened in a bathroom.
From Queens Streets to the Pulpit
Philip was born in Queens, New York. His parents were actually ministers—they ran a church right out of their basement—but Philip wasn't feeling it. He was more attracted to the streets. By age 12, he was already deep into illegal activity. It’s the classic "preacher's kid" story, but on steroids.
He eventually moved to North Carolina, hoping for a fresh start. It didn't work. Instead, he met people who were even more "ruthless" than the ones he knew in New York. We’re talking about high-stakes drug trafficking up and down the East Coast.
He’s been open about how close he came to death. One story he tells often is about a bullet that grazed his left ear. Two inches to the right and he wouldn't be here. He mentions friends who were shot in the back or drove off cliffs on the way to gunfights. It was dark.
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The Bathroom Encounter
By 2003, the "glamour" of the street life had completely evaporated. Philip was empty. He was suicidal.
In November of that year, he literally crawled into a bathroom on his hands and knees. He wasn't even sure God was real, but he started yelling. He was desperate. In that moment, he says he felt a supernatural peace that he couldn't explain. The suicidal thoughts just... stopped.
He didn't become a perfect saint overnight, but the change was immediate. He was living with his girlfriend, Lena, at the time. After that encounter, he felt such a conviction about their lifestyle that he started sleeping on the couch. They got married in August 2004 and have been together ever since.
The Birth of 2819 Church
Philip eventually moved to Atlanta to start a ministry. It wasn't an easy ride. In 2012, he founded what was then called Victory Church ATL. It started in a hotel room with just 12 people.
Fast forward to 2018. Philip and Lena went to Israel. He was looking for clarity because, honestly, he was feeling burnt out and frustrated with the state of the American church. He felt like ministry had become too much about "vanity" and social media stats.
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The turning point happened at the Garden Tomb. A group of Portuguese believers was worshipping, and they called him up to the front. He says that encounter "killed" his vanity. He came back to Atlanta with a new mission: to stop playing the "success" game and focus entirely on the Great Commission.
He renamed the church 2819 Church, based on Matthew 28:19: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..."
The "Crushing" During COVID-19
You might think it was all uphill from there, but 2020 almost broke him. During the pandemic, the church lost its building. They lost staff. They lost financial stability.
Philip has admitted he almost quit. He told his wife, "I think we're done."
Lena was the one who pushed him to keep going. She told him, "If you quit now, you’ll never see what God can do."
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He stripped everything back. No gimmicks. No promotions. Just raw Bible teaching and a focus on "discipleship." Today, the church has grown to over 5,000 people. It’s a "portable" church, meaning they meet in local schools and rented spaces rather than owning a massive, expensive campus. They call themselves a "movement" rather than just a weekly service.
What Most People Get Wrong
People see the intensity and the "boldness" and think he’s just an angry preacher. But if you listen to his full story, it comes from a place of "brokenness." He’s genuinely worried that the modern church has lost its reverence.
He’s also heavily involved in the "Street Preachers Podcast" with Tim Timberlake, trying to reach a generation that is just as "empty" as he was back in that bathroom in 2003.
Quick Facts on Philip Anthony Mitchell:
- Education: Honors graduate from North Carolina Central University; degree from Valor Christian College.
- Family: Married to Lena Mitchell; they have two sons and two daughters.
- Organization: Founder of 2819 Church and the 2819 Institute.
- Philosophy: Focuses on "Digital Discipleship" and "Sound Doctrine."
Moving Forward
If you're looking for Philip Anthony Mitchell's work, don't just look for a Wikipedia page. His most raw content is usually found in his sermon series like "Cross to Commission" or "Entry & End Times."
For those looking to apply his approach to their own lives or ministries:
- Prioritize Discipleship over Attendance: 2819 Church grew by focusing on the 183 people they had left during the "crushing," not by trying to go viral.
- Seek Stillness: Mitchell's biggest shifts happened during moments of silence or "brokenness," not during high-energy events.
- Embrace Portability: You don't need a $10 million building to have a $10 million impact on your community.
The 2819 movement is essentially a call back to basics. It’s about taking the Great Commission literally and realizing that "vanity" is the enemy of actual impact.