The new book by Philip Anthony Mitchell

Stand boldly. Win the war within.

Contend: Standing Boldly for Biblical Truth While Winning the War Within

A pastor's walk through the short, urgent letter of Jude, for believers whose faith has grown comfortable and who are ready to stand.

Get your copyMeet the author

New York Times bestseller · Published by Thomas Nelson · Foreword by Matt Chandler

NYT Bestseller

Inside the book

Three ideas that won't let you coast.

Built on the short, urgent letter of Jude: twenty-five verses, one clear charge.

01

Casual faith drifts.

Jude wasn't writing to outsiders. He wrote to a comfortable church. Faith that's never tested doesn't stay put.

02

The fight starts in private.

Before the stage or the comment section comes the prayer closet: fear, shame, doubt and unforgiveness, faced honestly.

03

Truth and grace go together.

Conviction without love becomes noise. Love without conviction becomes silence.

Start reading Contend

Meet the author

He preaches what he's lived.

Philip Anthony Mitchell

Author · Pastor · Speaker · Believer

What he's built wasn't theoretical, and it didn't come through untouched. He refuses to soften what saved him.

  1. November 2003

    A bathroom floor

    Philip came to faith on a bathroom floor, at the lowest point of his life.

  2. The hard years

    Empty seats

    Depression. A ministry that almost didn't make it. A Sunday in front of empty seats when he nearly quit.

  3. Today

    2819 Church, Atlanta

    Founder and lead pastor of 2819 Church, known for bold Gospel preaching. Married to Lena since 2004, with four children.

  4. Why Contend

    The book he needed in the dark

    Written for the believer who is ready to stand.

Truth and grace are not rivals.

Most believers pick one and end up losing both.

Philip Anthony Mitchell, Contend
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Ready to contend?

Contend by Philip Anthony Mitchell | Standing Boldly for Biblical Truth While Winning the War Within | Christian Faith & Spiritual Growth [Paperback Book]

Contend | Standing Boldly for Biblical Truth While Winning the War Within | Christian Faith & Spiritual Growth

by Philip Anthony Mitchell

$39.99 $49.99

  • New York Times bestseller
  • Foreword by Matt Chandler
  • A Takeaway Truth & Contender's Charge every chapter
Read more about the book →

What reviewers say

“A compelling, well-crafted manifesto.”
The Moving Words

From readers

What readers are saying

★★★★★

As a disciple of Jesus our identity comes with a responsibility & to contend for the FAITH. Knowing that Jesus is the way, the Truth, and the Life. May this reach every single person who feels like they don’t have what it takes but know that greater is He who is in me then he who is in the world.

Thomas Henry J. Purchased on 16 May 2026 · via Aeyzwa
★★★★★

PREACH THE WORD SIR! Such a powerful, educational, and impactful book! I’ve been a digital disciple of 2819 for about a year now & it is so evident that God is with Pastor Phillip and his ministry! Pastor Phillip lives BOLDY for the faith & is leading the great commission in spreading the gospel & multiplying disciples! I would recommend this book to everyone as well as becoming a digital disciple of 2819 if you don’t live near Atlanta where the church is based. 2819 & Pastor Phillip have changed my life & I am forever grateful for his boldness, teaching, & guidance!“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Christina Anth Purchased on 2 June 2026 · via Aeyzwa
★★★★★

This book is one of a kind. I have never been so inspired and convicted at the same time. Pastor Mitchell’s heart of overflowing with passion to further the kingdom of Christ and does a great job in this book of laying out how important and urgent of a calling us Christians have to wake up and start being active members of team Jesus instead of watching from the sidelines. I recommend this book to anyone who is a believer, curious about the whole God thing, or has been a believer and has been hurt by a member of the church. This book is relevant and compelling to all audiences no matter where you are in your faith.

Trevor Miller Published on 31st October 2026 · via Goodreads

An honest answer

Is this book for you?

It's for you if…

  • your faith has gone quiet or comfortable
  • you lead a men's group, women's group or Bible study
  • you're a new believer who wants a solid foundation
  • you want something to do after every chapter, not just read

It might not be for you if…

  • you want deep academic theology. This is a pastor's voice, not a textbook.
  • you're in a season of exhaustion or grief. The tone is bold and intense.
I'm ready to stand

Built for small groups.

Every chapter closes with a Takeaway Truth to talk through and a Contender's Charge to act on, which is why men's groups, women's groups and Bible studies use it together.

  • Discussion-ready chapters
  • A clear action step every week
  • No prior knowledge of Jude needed
Get copies for your group