Overview
This episode of Girls Gone Bible features Pastor Phillip Anthony Mitchell, focusing on his testimony, the mission of 2819 Church, biblical teaching, holiness, mental health, and the urgency of authentic Christian living. The conversation blends personal stories with theological insights, emphasizing transparency, purity, and the importance of biblical foundations in the church today.
Pastor Mitchell’s Testimony & Background
- Grew up in Queens, NY, as a first-generation American in a Christian home but was influenced more by his environment than family faith.
- Spent years in street life, drugs, and incarceration before a life-changing encounter with God during a time of deep despair.
- Felt convicted for the first time after this encounter and began his journey into ministry, marrying his wife Lena after choosing to live in purity.
Formation and Mission of 2819 Church
- Pastored Victory Church for 10 years but sensed a lack of clear purpose and struggled with envy and vanity during that period.
- A transformative trip to Israel led to a deeper revelation of God’s holiness and his own sinfulness.
- Losses during the pandemic prompted renaming the church to 2819, inspired by the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), to focus on disciple-making and gospel proclamation.
- Emphasizes that the church’s identity is rooted in Jesus’ commission, and leaders are stewards, not owners.
Biblical Teaching, Holiness, and Church Culture
- Expresses concern about biblical illiteracy and poor teaching, which create misunderstandings about grace, sin, and living a holy life.
- Stresses the importance of returning to the biblical model of the church (Acts) and prioritizing prayer, teaching, evangelism, and community.
- Warns against Western Christianity’s veneer of perfection, advocating for honest confession and genuine biblical community.
Grace, Sin, and the Christian Journey
- Critiques the overemphasis of grace without truth, leading to desensitization to sin.
- Asserts that true intimacy with Christ will result in conviction over sin and a desire for personal holiness.
- Explains that struggling with sin is part of the journey, but willful, unrepentant sin is a grave danger.
- The ongoing process of purification involves incremental surrender, transparency, and God’s conviction, not condemnation.
Mental Health and the Church
- Acknowledges the rise in depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, especially among men and young people, intensified by social media and societal pressures.
- Shares his personal experience with depression and encourages open conversation, counseling, and community support.
- Stresses that struggles with mental health do not disqualify anyone from serving God.
The Call to Authentic Ministry & Community
- Describes the importance of transparency and prayer in ministry and the need to support one another amid spiritual warfare and personal suffering.
- Recognizes the urgency of exalting Christ, preaching the gospel, and leading others to deep intimacy with God.
Recommendations / Advice
- Pursue biblical literacy and sit under sound teaching to develop a robust theology of grace, sin, and the cross.
- Prioritize genuine Christian community and confession for healing and freedom.
- Embrace the journey of incremental purity and intimacy with Christ, knowing that conviction is a sign of spiritual health.
- Address mental health struggles openly and seek help without shame.
- Focus on the Great Commission as the core mission of the church.
Questions / Follow-Ups
- Continue to pray for those struggling with mental health, especially men and youth.
- Maintain prayer support for ministry leaders facing spiritual warfare.
- Support and encourage transparency and vulnerability within Christian communities.