Bishop Daran H. Mitchell
Midwest Episcopal District
Bishop Daran H. Mitchell is the 108th Bishop in the line of succession for the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (A.M.E. Zion) Church. He is currently the presiding prelate of the Midwest Episcopal District, providing leadership and oversight of the Missouri, Michigan, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Trinidad and Tobago Conferences. Before his elevation to the Episcopacy, Bishop Mitchell served as Pastor of Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, for 12 years. He is a dedicated servant leader, engaging preacher, justice activist, community leader, ecumenist, and educator. A Florida native, Bishop Mitchell answered his calling at age 16 and, for the last 36 years, has dedicated his entire life to serving God and God’s people.
Bishop Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Religion/Philosophy-Liberal Studies from Bethune-Cookman College, Daytona Beach, Florida; a Master of Divinity degree from Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, North Carolina; and a Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis in Liturgy and the Black Church from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia.
He co-authored a book with Dr. Harry L. White, Jr., “Are You Smarter Than a Sunday Schooler?” and recorded his first single, “God Stepped In,” in 2023.
Bishop Mitchell has received training and certification in the Pastoral Care Specialist program at the Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte, North Carolina; the Institute for Church Administration and Management (ICAM) at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), Atlanta, Georgia; the North Carolina Rural Leadership Development Institute, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Spiritual Director and Congregational Coaching Certification, Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, North Carolina.
As a Pastor, Bishop Mitchell led several congregations over the past thirty years in South Carolina, New York, and North Carolina. In addition to his pastoral leadership, Bishop Mitchell has served as an adjunct professor in Religion at the following institutions: Mount Olive College, Mount Olive, North Carolina; the North Carolina Wesleyan College, Rocky Mount, North Carolina; New Brunswick Theological Seminary, and presently serves as Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Theology (Preaching) at the Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, North Carolina.
Bishop Mitchell has also served on many boards and organizations within and beyond the A.M.E. Zion Church. He is the Chairman of the Board of Lay Activities, vice-chairman of the Christian Education (Home and Church), and vice-chairman of the Worship and Ritual Committee of the A.M.E. Zion Church. Bishop Mitchell is also a member of the Tau Omega Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; a member of Boyer Lodge Number 1 (Harlem, NY); a Board member of the African American Community Collaborative; and a member of the Academy of Homiletics.
Bishop Mitchell has published numerous articles, sermons, and meditations for various periodicals and publications. He co-authored a book with Dr. Harry L. White, Jr., “Are You Smarter Than a Sunday Schooler?” and recorded his first single, “God Stepped In,” in 2023.
Bishop Mitchell has received numerous awards and honors, including induction into the Martin Luther King, Jr., Board of Preachers (2014), the Livingstone College/UNCF Leaders’ Hall of Fame (2016), the Teaching Excellence and Service Award at Hood Theological Seminary (2018), and the Bishop Alfred Gilbert Dunston, Jr. College of Preachers, Livingstone College (2024).
Bishop Mitchell is married to the Reverend L. Lynn Kennedy Mitchell, and they are the proud parents of one son, Reverend Caylen Mitchell, and a daughter in love, Alexis.