An Atlantapastor recently brought a message about biblicaltruth and Christian conviction to one of the largeststages in the country.
Philip Anthony Mitchell, lead pastor of Atlanta-based 2819 Church, led an estimated 80,000 people in prayer and worship at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Oct. 10.
The gathering, called ACCESS, That Powerful Hour of Prayer, filled the home of the Dallas Cowboys for an event centered on prayer, worship and a call to return to the foundations of the Christian faith.
The church said all 80,000 free tickets were claimed, with reports saying they were booked within hours.
But for Mitchell, the stadium gathering was about more than a massive crowd.
It was part of a larger message he has been delivering about what he sees
as a critical moment for Christianity in America.
Who is Atlanta pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell?
Mitchell is the founderand lead pastor of 2819 Church, a Christ-centered church based in Atlanta. He is also the founder of the 2819 Institute.
According to his biography, Mitchell is originally from Queens, New York, and studied at North Carolina Central University before earning a degree in pastoral and church leadership from Valor Christian College.
What church does Philip Anthony Mitchell preach at?
Mitchell preaches at 2819 Church, which is based at 3350 Greenbriar Pkwy. in Atlanta.
The church describes itself as a Christ-centered movement focused on making disciples and spreading the Gospel. Its name comes from Matthew 28:19, the biblical passage commonly known as the Great Commission.
The church has experienced significant growth in recent years.
Since 2023, 2819 Church has grown from fewer than 200 attendees to more than 6,000 people attending weekly in Atlanta, according to the church's website.
Why did 80,000 people gather at AT&T Stadium?
ACCESS 2026 was billed as a powerful hour of prayer.
The event brought together tens of thousands of Christians for worship and prayer, with the stadium's event description framing the gathering around the hope of the Cross, the salvation Christians believe comes through Jesus Christ and a call to respond to what it described as "The Warning" and "The Cry."
The size of the crowd was notable for another reason: ACCESS began on a dramatically smaller scale.
Reports on the event say the prayer gathering traces its roots back to a small group meeting in a home before eventually growing into a stadium-sized event.
What does Philip Anthony Mitchell mean by 'contend for the faith'?
Mitchell's message does not stop at gathering large crowds.
His new book, Contend: Standing Boldly for Biblical Truth While Winning the War Within, focuses on the idea that Christians should stand firmly on their beliefs rather than allowing comfort, culture or fear to determine how they live out their faith.
Mitchell has described the current moment in American Christianity as a critical one and has called for Christians to return to biblical truth.
He has also argued that younger generations are searching for something authentic and meaningful in their spiritual lives.
What is Philip Anthony Mitchell's message to young people?
Mitchell has repeatedly focused on the need for Christians to pursue an authentic faith rather than simply following cultural trends.
His message is centered on Jesus Christ and the authority of Scripture.
In a recent interview withFox & Friends, Mitchell described Jesus as arguably the most influential person in the history of the world and challenged Christians to live consistently with what they say they believe.
What happens next for 2819 Church?
For Mitchell, ACCESS 2026 appears to be part of a much larger effort to reach people beyond the walls of his Atlanta church.
The ministry describes its mission as spreading the Gospel and equipping disciples, with Mitchell's own biography emphasizing his desire to see biblical Christianity preserved and proclaimed throughout America and around the world.
For more information, visit 2819church.org.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia, covering food and entertainment. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: How an Atlanta pastor sold out the Cowboy' Stadium last weekend
