Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Mitchell.
Hi Jonathan , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story is one that might ring as a familiar tone. I come from a background knowing what it means to have much and what it means to have very little. During my early childhood I was reared in the home of a Pentecostal Pastor and Bishop with a devoted mother and father who provided well. But following the divorce of my parents at the age of 7, the tables on our lives turned, as my mother, older brother and I experienced tremendous hardships simply to survive. My mother, who had lived the previous 28 years of her life as a homemaker caring for our home and family, was now forced to find suitable work to sustain independent living as a single mother.
I must say however, that I learned much of my work ethic from my father, but it was may mother who truly taught me how to survive and to succeed with the bare minimum. I formally begin my ministry at the age of 8, though I had been literally preaching since I was 5 years old. My Christian heritage is rooted in the historical Church of God In Christ, with a hybrid of tutelage that stems from the Baptist Church that began in my early teen years. I received my first ministerial license at the age of 10, which was a special privilege and honor bestowed at that time, as you were not allowed to be licensed until at least 18 in the COGIC Church. At the age of 18 I was relicensed and ordained in the Baptist Church.
I developed a passion for funeral service at the age of 7 that stemmed from an observance and admiration of the late Dr. Gregory W. Spencer. It was always my goal to own and operate my own funeral establishment. That dream was realized wha would seem to be late in life, as I opened my first funeral home, The Prestige Mortuary in 2017 in Mansfield, TX. We experienced growth and established a signature brand and operated in Mansfield, TX until 2019. We later moved in 2020 to the Arlington Heights area of Fort Worth, which took me back near to the Lake Como community that I loved and that is a pillar in the framework of my story, as the majority of my post parental divorce childhood was spent there. We were rebranded as J. R. Mitchell & Co., The Funeral Directors and spent five years there prior to closing to pursue another opportunity. While we continue to serve in the ministry of mortuary care, we spend a significant amount of time focusing on the various ministerial endeavors that we have been called to occupy.
In addition to professional vocations, I have several passions that makeup who I am. I am a lover of music, particularly classical and jazz. Coming from a musical background, I began singing at an early age and was actively involved in church choir, and choral music all throughout my formal education. I also have a passion for the arts and culture. I love visiting the museum, attending the ballet and the opera, or taking in theatre when possible. I enjoy traveling and experiences different cuisines and cultures as well. My favorite cuisine is Italian.
I LOVE fashion and the look of a great suit!
Many would not actually believe it, but I am a true introvert. I always say I’ve learned to be a chameleon, and I deal with people because my various vocations warrant it. However, in my personal and private time, I prefer a small intimate group of familiar faces, or most often simply just being somewhere exclusively with my wife and kids or just by myself.
I’ve been often identified as a natural born leader, to which I respond, I’ve just learned how to follow really well, so that I would know what to do if I’m ever in front of the line.
From the age of 13 I’ve dealt with a seizure disorder, which over the years have presented many challenges. In 2025 I suffered a very devastating episode, that threatened my very existence, and as a result I was diagnosed with a. chronic neurocognitive disorder resulting from anoxic brain damage. Despite the challenges in my health, I continue to strive to fulfill what I believe is my purpose in the earth, I refuse to give up. My new mantra is, that I’m going to do all that I can while I can! I don’t have the the space in this article to tell it, but my life is truly a testimony of God’s grace.
During this extensive period of my journey to recovery, I was blessed to compete and publish my first literary work entitled: “Inspirational Inklings: Encouraging Outlooks and Empowering Observations to Help You Get There.” The book is available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. The book was written as a challenge to overcome my present adversity and to serve as an encouragement to others who may be facing those moments in life when they’ve been told that they could not do or would not survive.
I know I’ve probably written more than necessary, but below is a snippet of my ministerial sketch that may provide any additional information about the background of my ministry, education, and biography.
Bishop Jonathan R. Mitchell is the Establihsmentarian and currently seated Presiding Prelate of Alliance of Covenant Leaders Worldwide, (ACLW). He is a native of the Fort Worth, TX and currently resides in the Dallas Fort Worth area. He recieved his formal educational matriculation in the Fort Worth Public Schools, and is a graduate of the Polytechnic High School. He continued his educational explorations studying Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX.
He has served in the Gospel Ministry for over 35 years and is the Establishmentarian and Lead Pastor of The Life Center Church Reloaded, which was rebranded in August of 2024 as Christ Culture Church DFW. His Eminence was duly consecrated to the episcopacy with Apostolic succession in July of 2021, and has served in numerous episcopal offices since his elevation to the bishopric, namely in the offices of Protocol and as Adjutant General.
His administrative prowess and excellence in leadership in the area of protocol has established Bishop Mitchell as a respected authority in the Lord’s Church in the areas of ceremonial decorum and execution. Bishop Mitchell is a Gospel preacher, and is endowed with an organic and unique anointing. His ability to masterfully convey the Gospel message through both his teaching and preaching ministry, has afforded Bishop Mitchell opportunities on an array of platforms across the country to share his convictions of our Christ. In addition to his exegetical abilities relative to his preaching and teaching, Bishop Mitchell is often called upon to offer lectures and motivational talks in the corporate sector and various secular arenas as well.
In addition to his ecclesiastical ministry, Bishop Mitchell is a gifted psalmist and lyricists, and has a passion for music. His gift for composing has birth over 200 gospel songs, poems and prose. Bishop Mitchell is also regarded as an influential figure in his local community, and is a humanitarian and philanthropist. He served as the President and General Manager of J. R. Mitchell & Co., The Funeral Directors, LLC. and has served thousands of families over the span of a 24 year career in the Death Care Industry. Through his establishment, Bishop Mitchell along with his wife have contributed countless funds for free burials of veterans, indigent families, and parents who have experienced the loss of a child.
Bishop Jonathan R. Mitchell has an infectious personality and possesses an approachable spirit. He established Alliance of Covenant Leaders Worldwide as a platform for Pastors and Leaders to experience organic connections, and since its inception it has blossomed and grown to now embody nearly 500 total constituents of encompassing, pastors, ministers, leaders, and parishioners. He is been married to his partner in life and in ministry, Pastor Lateiundria Mitchell, who is the love of his life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Life alone is never easy, but life in ministry is definitely no a smooth road. You simply learn with practice and patience, trial and triumph how to navigate the varying terrain. One of my favorite quotes is from a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox entitled “As You Go through Life,” that says, “The world will never adjust itself to suit your whims to the letter, some things must go wrong your whole life long, and the sooner you know it the better.”
I expressed previously some of the challenges with health that have presented some obvious stumbling blocks along the way, but if I had to really highlight or emphasize any particular struggles I think it would be two. Consistency and choices.
Consistency both personally and from people. I’ve always been the big idea guy, and sometimes when you come out the gate hard and all in you don’t leave yourself room to expand and to grow into the big idea. I had to learn that the big idea does not mean all at once. Which, leads me to my other point of choices. some of my challenges were not because they were inevitable, some of my challenges were because of choices. And the choices were not necessarily all bad decisions, but some were simply untimely decisions.
I said I am a big idea guy. And many of my struggles in ministry, in life, in business were because I saw the big idea, and sometimes chose to try to put the tree before the seed and that choice threw the natural process off course and attributed to some of the avoidable obstacles that were experienced.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Please refer to the biography provided previously for much of this information. I will however, address the latter two questions.
What I’m most proud of is that despite failure obstacles and challenges, I never stop trying. I am not by far a perfect person, but I never allow my imperfections to become an excuse for ceasing to strive for perfection.
What sets me apart from others is that I’m simply me. During my years of being a youth pastor we adopted a mantra based on Psalm 139:4 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” That mantra said, “Being you is what makes you cool”.
While I appreciate and admire the work of others, I try not to compare my success to their success, nor measure the quality of what I do in a mirror that reflects the magnitude of another’s efforts. I simply endeavor to glean from others who are successful and who have wisdom and knowledge in the areas that I am attempting excel in, and utilize that knowledge to become a better version of me.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality and characteristic that I feel is most important to my success is tenacity. That hard to defeat determination.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aclworldwide.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/therevejrmitch
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/johnathan.r.mitchell
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@aclworld
- Other: https://bishopjrmitchellministries.com
