Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
We are honored to welcome you to the official website of the Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It is our joy and privilege to serve this great district, walking in faith, unity, and purpose as we labor together for the Kingdom of God.
Our mission is clear—we are Called to Serve This Present Age! With hearts devoted to Christ and hands committed to the work, we strive to empower our churches, uplift our communities, and equip our leaders for transformational ministry. Whether you are a clergy member, layperson, or visitor, we invite you to explore this platform and join us in the journey of faith, service, and growth.
May the grace of God strengthen you, and may His favor be upon all that we do together in His name.
In His Service,
Bishop Michael L. Mitchell & Supervisor Cordelia D. Mitchell
Sixth Episcopal District, AME Church
A Historical Statement on African Methodism in Georgia
The Sixth Episcopal District of the AME Church
District Motto: Called to Serve
Denominational Motto: God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, Humankind Our Friend
The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church was founded in 1816 by Bishop Richard Allen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the first independent Black denomination in the United States. Rooted in the Wesleyan tradition and born out of the struggle for religious and racial dignity, the AME Church has long combined spiritual conviction with social responsibility, advocating for liberation, education, and justice for all people.
African Methodism arrived in Georgia during the closing days of the Civil War, when missionaries followed Union troops into newly freed communities. These early efforts led to the rapid growth of AME congregations throughout the state, as formerly enslaved men and women embraced the gospel and the opportunity to worship in a church governed by people who looked like them and spoke to their realities.
That movement grew into what is now the Sixth Episcopal District of the AME Church, encompassing the entire state of Georgia. With more than 500 congregations, the district represents one of the largest and most dynamic in the denomination. From large cities like Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, and Columbus to small towns and rural communities, the Sixth District stands as a witness to the power of faith in action. Under the leadership of Bishop Michael L. Mitchell, the district embraces its charge to be “Called to Serve”—a call that echoes from the pulpit to the pavement.
The AME Church has a long tradition of prioritizing education. In 1881, it established Morris Brown College in the basement of Big Bethel AME Church in Atlanta. Founded by the Sixth District to provide higher education for newly emancipated African Americans, Morris Brown became a cornerstone of Black intellectual and cultural life in Georgia and beyond.
To train clergy and religious leaders, the AME Church also established Turner Theological Seminary in 1894 on the campus of Morris Brown College. Named after Bishop Henry McNeal Turner, the denomination’s first bishop in Georgia and a fierce advocate for Black self-determination, the seminary later became part of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta. Today, Turner Theological Seminary is actively pursuing accreditation through TRACS (Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools) as a stand-alone institution, signaling a bold new chapter in its mission to equip leaders for transformative ministry.
Throughout its history, the Sixth Episcopal District has been at the forefront of both spiritual formation and social justice. During Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, and into the 21st century, AME churches in Georgia have been centers of worship, empowerment, and outreach. Ministries focused on housing, hunger, education, reentry, healthcare, and community development continue to meet the needs of God’s people across the state.
Guided by the AME Church’s foundational motto—“God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, Humankind Our Friend”—and fueled by the district’s call to service, the Sixth Episcopal District remains committed to preaching a liberating gospel and doing the work of justice. With faith in its heritage and hope for the future, Georgia’s AME Church continues to grow, serve, and lead in Jesus’ name.