Pastoral Bio
Rev. Dr. Leroy M. Mitchell, III
Rev. Dr. Leroy M. Mitchell, III has served as the senior pastor of Greater Brookville Church in Lynchburg, VA for 21 years. Dr. Mitchell was called to the work of the ministry in Jacksonville, FL at the age of 12.
He weaves his personal testimony throughout his sermons and shares the story of his calling and journey in the ministry with his listeners. His life story has taken him from being a motorcycle-riding teen in Jacksonville, FL to becoming a U.S. Army drill sergeant. He then became a state trooper for the Commonwealth of Virginia before being the current pastor of one of the oldest black churches in Lynchburg, VA.
Dr. Mitchell received his formal education at the Amherst Theology Seminary where he was awarded the Doctor of Ministry degree. His dissertation was titled “An Analysis of the Development of Disciples versus Members in the Modern Day Church.” In his younger years, he was educated in the public schools of Duval County.
He has served his adopted community in various capacities since moving to Lynchburg, VA in the late ’90s. At present, he serves at the Community Impact Committee of the United Way of Central Virginia and the Coalition for HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention, and he chairs the Metropolitan Churches Alliance.
Dr. Mitchell also serves at the State Baptist Convention as chairman of the Young Ministers and Pastors Division. Aside from being a former president of Churches United for Service, he has served in advisory capacities on committees with Lynchburg City Schools, the University of Lynchburg, and in other nonprofit organizations throughout the Central Virginia area.
Dr. Mitchell is the son of the late Leroy M. Mitchell and Delores Mitchell of Jacksonville, FL. He is married to Stephanie Kennedy Mitchell who serves alongside him in ministry at Greater Brookville. They have four sons and one daughter. They also have eight grandsons and one granddaughter.
Pastor Mitchell‘s ministry style is dynamic and magnetic. His energy for the things of God is inspiring and thought-provoking. He is a sought-after evangelist in various ministries and organizations throughout the central Virginia area and on the East Coast.
Our Staff
Our Ministries
Adult Development Ministry
This is a ministry that addresses the needs of adult congregants by presenting workshops about health and life issues and spiritual development in all stages of adulthood. Here, we collaborate with community organizations to provide resources through a wide range of programs, fellowships, and services.
Lovely Zion Ministry
This is the resource ministry for all local and regional Christian missions of Greater Brookville Church. Here, we provide services to sick and shut-in disciples. We also serve in local nursing homes and work with local disaster relief agencies when needed.
Young Life Ministry
This ministry offers the youth of the church and the surrounding communities with experiential learning opportunities. They participate in the We’ve Got the Beet – Live Healthy initiative. They collect food for the United Way’s Children’s Backpack program. In the past, they have provided hats and gloves to the residents of the Salvation Army’s Center of Hope.
Outreach Ministries (Community Events, Roads to Recovery, Juvenile Detention Ministry, and Community Garden)
These ministries work primarily outside the walls of Greater Brookville Church. The Community Events group provides activities that promote fellowship. Shopping trips, fun days, and dinner theater excursions are examples of the types of activities provided.
Roads to Recovery is a partnership with a local substance abuse recovery service provider. Several of their disciples are in recovery themselves and understand the stigma attached to it. They provide household goods, personal items, furniture, and transportation to the members of this agency.
The Juvenile Detention Ministry works with young people in the detention center to introduce them to Christ and to encourage them through the juvenile justice process. They visit every other month and provide Bible study sessions, games, and snacks to the young people.
During the growing season, the Community Garden provides fresh vegetables to members of the surrounding community and the seasoned Saints of Greater Brookville who may not have access to fresh vegetables.