Chief Apostle Dr. Sandra Mitchell elevated as five ministers are ordained
Friday's service included the consecration and elevation of Apostle Dr. Sandra Mitchell, followed by the ordination of five candidates.
CORAL SPRINGS, FL. Apostle Dr. Sandra Mitchell stood before the presbytery in red vestments Friday morning as FreedomGRC marked a new chapter in her ministry. By the close of the morning, Apostle Dr. Sandra Mitchell had been consecrated and elevated to the office of Chief Apostle, and five candidates had been ordained to serve as evangelists and ministers.
The ceremonies unfolded as one continuous morning of worship, recognition and responsibility. Apostle Dr. Sandra Mitchell first received the charge of a new office, then took her place as the presiding Chief Apostle for the ordinations that followed.
Consecrated to the office of Chief Apostle
The morning began with a 9 a.m. service centered on the theme We Have Come This Far by Faith. Apostle Dr. Karliss Kimbrough officiated, and Apostle Dr. Titus Felix delivered the message.
At 10 a.m., Chief Apostle Reginald Parker presided over Apostle Dr. Sandra Mitchell’s consecration to the office of Chief Apostle. Apostle Priscella Parker, Apostle Dr. Titus Felix, Apostle Dr. Karliss Kimbrough, Apostle Dr. Yvonnette Francis, Apostle Benjamin Boykin and Apostle Sharon Boykin joined him in the presbytery.
Chief Apostle Dr. Sandra Mitchell founded FreedomGRC and has spent years preparing ministers for ordination and providing apostolic leadership to churches and ministries. Her elevation placed that work before the convention community in a public act of consecration.
The red cape and mitre she wore distinguished the office being conferred. A crozier held beside the presbytery represented the pastoral responsibility attached to that office, while the gathered clergy made clear that the moment belonged to the wider church as well as to Chief Apostle Dr. Sandra Mitchell.
Five candidates received into ministry
At 10:30 a.m., the newly elevated Chief Apostle Dr. Sandra Mitchell presided over the ordination service assisted by Chief Apostle Reginald Parker. Elder Dawn Anderson and Elder-elect Rhona Hernandez were presented for the office of evangelist. Karen Murray, Keeya Washington and Deborah Mitchell were presented for the office of minister.
The candidates entered in white and stood together before being called forward individually. Their preparation had taken place before the public service through examination and orientation. Friday’s ceremony gave the church community an opportunity to witness the commitment each candidate was making.
Prayer and the laying on of hands
The presbytery gathered around each candidate for prayer and the laying on of hands. Chief Apostle Dr. Sandra Mitchell extended her hand over a kneeling candidate while clergy stood alongside her.
The service balanced the formality of vestments, vows and charges with quieter personal moments. Families watched as the candidates knelt. Clergy prayed over them at close range. The laying on of hands connected each new minister’s calling with the responsibility of the church to recognize and support it.
Holy Communion followed, administered by Chief Apostle Reginald Parker and served by Elder Metason Phillip and Elder Travis Allen.
A morning of succession
Chief Apostle Dr. Sandra Mitchell’s elevation and the five ordinations placed two sides of church leadership in the same service: the recognition of a senior apostolic office and the sending of new ministers into service.
Chief Apostle Dr. Sandra Mitchell and the Rev. Jonathan Mitchell delivered the closing words. The solemnity of the ceremony then gave way to embraces and photographs as relatives, friends and clergy gathered around the newly ordained ministers.
FreedomGRC’s ordination service is scheduled to return during Get Ready 2027. Prospective candidates complete examination and orientation in advance through the ministry’s ordination process.
Learn about Kingdom Agenda and Leadership · Read the FreedomGRC 2026 convention report
