The Journey to Authenticity: 8 Secrets to Getting the Life You Desire (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780997329902)

Pastor Mitchell L. Jones grew up in Virginia in a large, God-fearing home with six brothers and two sisters, and loving parents who have been married nearly six decades. At the age of 5, Mitchell knew he was attracted to a boy and a girl in his kindergarten class. By the age of 11, he was intrigued by his sexuality and same-gender attraction; however, his sexual desires posed a problem given his strict Southern Baptist upbringing. Mitchell's same gender attraction was in direct conflict with his religious upbringing, so he repressed his feelings thinking he was going through "a phase."

At 23, he began pastoring a non-denominational church in Richmond, Virginia, and often preached sermons condemning himself and others to an eternity in Hell. Mitchell met and married a young mother of three and the new family grew to include two more children. After 13 years of pastoring, counseling, and teaching, Mitchell plumbed the depths of his religious upbringing and studied the teachings of Jesus, discovering and expressing a multi-faceted spirituality that radically shifted his sermons. His once traditional religious teachings became progressive and inclusive; which, ironically, resulted in a mass exodus of members from his congregation.

Mitchell redefined his ministry based on his new interpretations of scripture. Today, he leads Bible-study groups, helping others understand living a purposeful life and embark upon their spiritual path for optimum personal growth. With a renewed sense of clarity and personal acceptance, Mitchell ended his five-year marriage to live an authentic life. He's embraced his true self through years of discovery and actualization and now realizes the power of God's love in his life.

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Dr. Tony Lamair Burks II is an award-winning education expert who helps individuals and organizations as a thought partner and coach. A Fulbrighter and fellow of the British-American Project, he was recognized by NU∙tribe Magazine as one of Six HBCU Grads You Should Know and was honored with the Phaedra Parks S.O.S. Save Our Sons Award for Empowerment and Service. He is a graduate of Morehouse College, Trevecca Nazarene University, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and he is a student at the Barbara King School of Ministry.