Atlanta church draws young adults with fiery sermons and vibrant worship

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(6 Dec 2025) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Atlanta - 16 November 2025 1. Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell preaching at 2819 Church 2. Various of churchgoers worshiping during a 2819 Church service 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Philip Anthony Mitchell, Lead Pastor 2819 Church:  “What is happening right now with our ministry is a divine, sovereign movement of God.”   4. Mitchell preaching 5. Various of churchgoers worshiping 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatjuana Phillips, Director of Ministries at 2819 Church:  “We went from 180 people to like 5, 6 thousand very quickly.” 7. People lined up before dawn at 2819 Church 8. Welcome team member giving high fives 9. Welcome team members interacting with churchgoers in line 10. 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 and he confirmed it for me.”  11. Various of 2819 and Mitchell on various social platforms 12. SOUNDBITE (English) Barmel Lyons, Digital Engagement at 2819 Church:  “Pastor has a heart for digital disciples. He says it like this, he wants to be able to wrap his arms around them digitally and let them know that they are loved. There’s thousands online every Sunday.”  13. Various of camera crew filming Mitchell and worship team 14. Various of churchgoers waiting in line for service 15. Various of welcome team members engaging with churchgoers 16. 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.”   17. Churchgoers entering the sanctuary 18. Various of prayer team members leading churchgoers in prayer before service 19. 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.” 20. Mitchell covering his eyes during worship 21. SOUNDBITE (English) Philip Anthony Mitchell, Lead Pastor 2819 Church:  “I feel that when I’m preaching I’m at the front line of war. I’m at the front line of a battle. There are souls that are hanging in the balance.” 22. Mitchell preaching 23. Churchgoers standing during service 24. 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.”  25. Mitchell preaching 26. 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.” 27. Various of churchgoers worshipping 28. 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.” 29. Various of churchgoers worshiping 30. SOUNDBITE (English) Philip Anthony Mitchell, Lead Pastor 2819 Church:  “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.” 31. Mitchell singing during worship STORYLINE: In 2023, after 8 years as Victory church in Atlanta, the now viral pastor, Philip Anthony Mitchell, and his team decided to rebrand their nondenominational congregation.        Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/bee75753138045258fc294ea0e0e180b