Bishop Barry Sylvester Mitchell

Barry Sylvester Mitchell was born September 9, 1962 in Brooklyn, New York. He was raised by his grandmother, Henrietta Mitchell, in Allendale, South Carolina.  He studied Electrical Engineering while attending Clemson University. He later received his degree from the University of South Carolina and has also received several certifications in Computer Networking. Additionally, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing from the University of Phoenix and a Doctoral Degree in Pastoral Counseling from Central Christian University.

Bishop Mitchell was baptized in the name of Jesus and received the gift of the Holy Ghost at a young age. He was ordained in 1980 under the New Churches of Christ and again in 1995 under The Bibleway Churches Worldwide, Inc. He received his District Elder confirmation in July 2004 in Cleveland, Ohio with the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith International, Inc. and was elevated to Jurisdictional Bishop during the 2006 National Convention. Bishop Mitchell was consecrated as Episcopal Bishop during the 2008 National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.  He also served as the General Secretary for the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith International, Inc. and the Diocesan Bishop for the state of Georgia.

Bishop Mitchell is the Senior Pastor of Open Door Christian Ministries, founded on October 12, 1998 at The Ramada Plaza in Columbia, South Carolina. With prayer, determination, leadership, and guidance, Bishop Mitchell built the present church edifice in May 2004. The church is located at 300 Lee Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29229.

Bishop Mitchell served God in many different roles. He has served in several capacities including: Sunday School teacher, Youth President, Musician, Assistant Pastor, Adjutant, Choir Director, Assistant Convention Manager, and Assistant General Secretary, just to name a few. Bishop Mitchell will be remembered for his story telling, guitar playing, contagious laughter, fashion sense, humor, go-to handy man, organ enthusiast, family man, love for outdoor recreations, and his love for God.

Bishop Mitchell fell asleep in the Lord on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. He was preceded in death by his father, Johnston Lee Orr; and grandmother, Henrietta Mitchell.

Bishop Mitchell is survived by his wife, Janice Mitchell; his daughter, Layla Johnson; son-in-law, Keith Johnson; and his granddaughter, Karmen Johnson; his mother, Prudence Williams; his brothers and sisters, Earnie Williams, Joe Williams, Tiffany Green, Shirlene Villard, Darlene Robinson, Denise Orr, and Johnston Lee Orr, Jr.; an abundance of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, family and church family all who loved him dearly.

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