Fernando Bernard Mitchell is a native of Hickory, MS. He is the youngest child of Bernice and the Late Oscar Mitchell. He was licensed to preach the gospel at Good Hope
M.B. Church in Hickory, Mississippi and began Pastoring 4 months later at the age of 20. Pastor Mitchell graduated from Newton County High School. He attended Jackson State University where he majored in Finance Marketing. He received his Bachelor of Theology, and a Master of Theological Studies from E. L.. White Theological Seminary. May 26, 2000 he received his Doctorate of Divinity from E.L. White Theological Seminary. He is a member of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, where Dr. Frank Ray, Sr. is the pastor. He has been the pastor of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Mendenhall, Mississippi since June 1, 1999.
His pastorate is centered around that Christ is the head of the church. The membership has grown from 189 to over 600 with over 20 working ministries. He has received a proclamation from Simpson County. It was the first proclamation ever given by the county. He received in 2002 Pastor of the year Award from the Spring Hill District Association. He received the Key to City of Magee June 3, 2007.
Pastor Mitchell is the past Moderator of the Third Enterprise District. He served on the executive committee of the Young Pastors and Ministers Division for the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and was president of the Young Pastors and Ministers division for East Mississippi Baptist State Convention. He is president of the Spring Hill District Congress of Christian Education and a member of the Board of Directors of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi, member of the Board of Trustees for Mississippi Baptist Seminary and he is also a staff member of the Late Night Service of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. He is Grand Chaplain for M. W. Stringer Grand Lodge of the State of Mississippi Prince Hall Affiliation.
He has been blessed to be married to the former Dizzia Mosley and have 5 children (Fernando II, Aretha, Samantha, Titus, and Desiree.)
He lives by the scripture:
"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me," Phillippians 4:13.
