{"id":5028,"date":"2022-12-15T09:34:23","date_gmt":"2022-12-15T14:34:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/christnewstoday\/?p=5028"},"modified":"2022-12-15T09:34:23","modified_gmt":"2022-12-15T14:34:23","slug":"former-nickelodeon-star-kel-mitchell-shares-why-he-decided-to-become-a-youth-pastor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/christnewstoday\/2022\/12\/former-nickelodeon-star-kel-mitchell-shares-why-he-decided-to-become-a-youth-pastor.html","title":{"rendered":"Former Nickelodeon Star Kel Mitchell Shares Why He Decided to Become a Youth Pastor"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"kel
John Manard\/Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kel Mitchell found fame as a teen star but recently had a different calling. The actor, who was a staple on Nickelodeon during the \u201890s for shows like \u201cAll That\u201d and \u201cKenan & Kel,\u201d\u00a0became a licensed pastor in 2019.<\/p>\n

The 44-year-old is associated with the Spirit Food Christian Center in Winnetka, California, where he speaks to youth about the importance of relying on faith during tough times. He was previously involved with the Helps Ministry for more than 10 years. According to the Spirit Food Christian Center, the Emmy-nominated star shares his teachings weekly across the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always known God,\u201d Mitchell explained to Fox News Digital. \u201cGrew up in a church, but there\u2019s a difference between knowing God and having a relationship with God. And I just got to a point in my life where I wanted to make sure that He was in everything that I do. Because when I was trying to figure out everything on my own, I got into a lot of frustration and situations. And the thing about it is that a lot of depression comes from internalizing frustration, and you need to get it out. And you need to know that you\u2019re loved by God and you were born for a purpose. When I figured that out, I wanted others to know that as well because He was always there for me in the ups and downs of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

But while Mitchell was making audiences across the country laugh, he was privately facing personal struggles. Mitchell previously described how he was faced with depression and suicidal thoughts. He credited his devotion to God for giving him hope when he felt hopeless.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe gives me this joy that I have every morning when I spend time with Him,\u201d said Mitchell. \u201cWhen I got the call to be a youth pastor, God spoke to me so clearly in my time of prayer. And I said, \u2018Yo, I\u2019m going to do it. I\u2019m going to do it.\u2019 He\u2019s been there for me. And I want others to feel this joy and to feel this peace. We want people to live. We want people to enjoy life. And I\u2019m all about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Today, Mitchell said he\u2019s found peace. He shares two children with his wife, rapper Asia Lee. Mitchell has two other children from his previous marriage to actress Tyisha Hampton, whom he married from 1999 to 2005.<\/p>\n

In 2021, Mitchell wrote a book of daily devotionals titled, \u201cBlessed Mode: 90 Days to Level Up Your Faith.\u201d It\u2019s described as a \u201c90-day challenge to receive God\u2019s blessings and become a blessing to others.\u201d He\u2019s hoping his words of advice will give comfort to those feeling the blues during the holidays.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour words have power,\u201d he explained. \u201cSo, really speak those things that you want to see, those things that you want to manifest, that God is giving you in your heart. Don\u2019t speak negatively about yourself. There\u2019s a lot of negative self-talk out there. There are a lot of negative things that are on social media. You have to get up in the morning and get into a mode. You have to prepare for your day.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kel Mitchell found fame as a teen star but recently had a different calling. The actor, who was a staple on Nickelodeon during the \u201890s for shows like \u201cAll That\u201d and \u201cKenan & Kel,\u201d\u00a0became a licensed pastor in 2019. The 44-year-old is associated with the Spirit Food Christian Center in Winnetka, California, where he speaks…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":657,"featured_media":5037,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[1542,1545],"class_list":["post-5028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bible","tag-kel-mitchell","tag-youth-pastor"],"yoast_head":"\nFormer Nickelodeon Star Kel Mitchell Shares Why He Decided to Become a Youth Pastor<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Kel Mitchell, who rose to fame on Nickelodeon shows like "All That" and "The Amanda Show," detailed his decision to become a youth pastor.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" 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