Rev. Dr. Joel Mitchell, Pastor



Morgan Park

 Baptist Church

11024 S. Bell Avenue 

Chicago, IL 60643

​773-445-9443



                                                                             Rev. Dr. Joel R. Mitchell
                                                                                        Biography

Rev. Dr. Joel Mitchell was born and raised in Chicago, IL. He attended Leo Catholic H.S on the city’s south side. Upon graduating he attended Western IL University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Communication and Human Relations.
In July of 2002, Rev. Mitchell acknowledged and accepted God’s call on his life. Rev. Mitchell was licensed to the Gospel Ministry at Mount Hermon M.B Church of Chicago, IL. In 2010 Rev. Mitchell was ordained at Saint John Church Baptist, by the National Baptist Convention USA.
In 2013 Rev. Mitchell earned a Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary. In 2018 Rev. Mitchell earned his Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Chicago Theological Seminary. 
Rev. Joel Mitchell is an ordained and licensed minister who has worked in the field of social services for over 25 years. Over the past 25 years, he’s worked with diverse target populations, including wards of the state, at-risk teens, homeless residents and individuals impacted with substance abuse, mental illness and HIV/AIDS.
In May of 2019, Rev. Mitchell retired from The Department of Family and Support Services where he served as the Deputy Commissioner for over ten years. As Deputy Commissioner, he provided oversight to the Human Services, Workforce Service, and Emergency Service Divisions.
Rev. Mitchell provided oversight of Chicago’s 6 Community Service Centers, which offered a wide range of services to low income communities. These centers served over 30,000 individuals per year. In addition, Rev. Mitchell led the Departments Workforce Division, which had a budget of over $10 mil and funded over 100 delegate agencies. Rev. Mitchell also served as the Departments Emergency Services lead and in 2017 led the department’s efforts to stand up a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) for thousands of residents from Puerto Rico who were displaced by Hurricane Maria.
Rev. Joel works with his wife Rev. Naomi Mitchell and together they have organized several ministries, including The Family and Marriage Institute of Chicago a Faith Based 501c3 Non-Profit Organization and The Marriage Investors. Through these ministries the Mitchell's provide pastoral care and coaching to individuals, married couples, and families. The Mitchell's are also the co-authors of the book "Shattered how to Overcome a Broken Marriage" and the companion workbook titled “Shatter-Proof”.
Over the past five years they have fostered relationships with numerous churches and faith leaders across the nation.  Dr. Mitchell and his wife, Rev. Naomi Mitchell, are highly sought-after speakers and trainer. During this time they have provided educational trainings, seminars and retreats for couples, churches and ministry leaders nationwide.
The Mitchell’s core belief is that healthy individuals, produce health marriages, healthy marriages produce healthy families and healthy family help build healthy communities.
Rev. Mitchell shares his life and love with Rev. Naomi Mitchell. Together they have three wonderful children, a set of 17-year-old twin boys Jasper Caleb and Jacobi Israel, a 14-year-old daughter, Sidni Joi and a 6-year-old Golden Retriever named Max.

 

CHURCH STAFF
Pastor:   Rev. Dr. Joel Mitchell
Director of Counseling Services:Judy Healy. M.S.W., L.C.S.W. 
Office Manager:  Alice Pitluck

CHURCH OFFICERS
Moderator: Bruce Stark


DEPARTMENT & COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS 
Worship: Mack Taylor 
Mission & Membership Concerns:  Francine Williams & Debbie Taylor
Christian Education: Annette Adams
Stewardship: Chuck Oppenlander
Memorials: Shirley Oppenlander


WHO WE ARE...

Morgan Park Baptist Church is a place where everyone can find a faith community.  We are a member of the American Baptist Churches/Metro Chicago and the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A.
We, American Baptists, worship the triune God of the Bible, who is eternally one God in three persons.  This one, true God is most clearly revealed to us in the incarnate Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
We, American Baptists, hold that all who truly seek God are both competent and called to develop in that relationship.  We have rejected creeds or other statements that might compromise each believer's obligation to interpret Scripture under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and within the community of faith.  We, American Baptists, also celebrate the special gift of all believers, testifying that God desires to use each of us in ministry and service.
We, American Baptists, have cherished freedom and pursued it for millions around the world. Manifestations of this "soul freedom" include supporting separation of church and state, advocating for people everywhere to be guaranteed the right to worship free from discrimination, and lifting up respectful dialogue among all peoples.
We, American Baptists, are gifted by a variety of backgrounds and find unity in diversity.  We embrace a pluralism of race, ethnicity, and gender.  We have a respectful remembrance for the past and a vital vision for the future.
All are welcome to come and worship with us at Morgan Park Baptist Church.  Sunday worship is every Sunday at 11:00 am. We believe everyone who is seeking a fuller faith will be enriched by sharing in our fellowship.