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Reverend Michael L. Mitchell
The Reverend Michael L. Mitchell was born on August 4, 1960 in Perry , Florida to the late Reverend Arthur L. Mitchell, Sr. and the late Mrs. Mary L. Mithcell. He is the ninth child of fourteen siblings (four sisters and ten brothers). He is the husband of Cordelia Mitchelland the father of Courtney and Channing.
The hand of God was evident on his life even as a young child, and in 1977, while yet in high school, Reverend Mitchell answered the call to the ministry and preached his rial sermon August 28, 1977 at New Saint James AME Church, Jacksonville, Florida.
Determined to ascertain that which God intended for him to do, he shortly thereafter began training and study under the African Methodist Episcopal Church and was ordained an Itinerant Deacon in 1979 and an Itinerant Elder in 1981. He served on lthe General Board of the African Methodist Episcopal Church from 1996 through 2008. He is the Chairman of the Board of Examiners and Treasurer of the East Annual Conference. His first pastoral assignment came in 1985 at the A.M.E. Church of the Master, Jacksonville , and his tenure has taken him to Mount Zion, (Arcadia) , Saint Luke (Tampa) , and Martin Memorial ( Miami , Florida)
Reverend Mitchell was raised in Jacksonville and is a product of the Duval County Public School System. He graduated from Wilberforce University , Wilberforce , Ohio in 1982 and received a Master of Divinity Degree from Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center , Atlanta , Georgia in 1986. .
Reverend Mitchell was chosen to succeed Bishop Robert V. Webster as pastor of Saint Stephen in September, 1992, and with him came a fresh, vibrant anointing that has excited and ignited the congregation to a spiritual high. Reverend Mitchell has spent the past 17+ years teaching and preaching the Gospel with revelation knowledge and a sincere determination to build a people able to stand, steadfast and unmovable, on the promises of God. His concern for the personal spiritual growth of his members is a top priority. He has expanded the weekly worship services, and strongly promotes the weekly spiritual enrichment meetings and activities. These added amenities, along with a special anointing to minister to adults and youth, has greatly increased the membership of Saint Stephen since his arrival.
Reverend Mitchell has implemented several improvement projects which include the installation of the renovations to the Sanctuary and Educational facilities, including the addition of a steeple and elevator; the church technological capabilities have been enhanced adn the real estate holdings have been expanded. A funeral home has been purchased, which serves as an Outreach Center to assist the community with food, clothing and basic essentials. In August, 1999 the Saint Stephen Child Care & Learning Center opened its doors to the community. The 1.7 million dollar project was a vision from God, implemented and nurtured by Pastor Mitchell, to be a catalyst for economic development in the inner-city neighborhood. This facility is a state of the art and academically recognized 16,800 sq. ft. facility, serving 225+ children. These physical enhancements are matched only by the spiritual enrichment of the membership and has sparked a new attitude toward active Christian Stewardship and the up building of God's Church.
An anointed man of God whose concern for the people is not only spiritual, Reverend Mitchell is actively involved in the social, economical, and educational needs of the community. He is excited about the implementation of projects and ministries that will reach out and touch the hearts and souls of the people and also literally change their lives for the better. Reverend Mitchell is determined to achieve victory in the vision that God has given him for a personal ministry of excellence and a church to meet the challenges of the future. |
