Pastor Tells Cam Newton 'My Candidate Is the Lord Jesus Christ' in Viral Podcast Moment

Cam Newton’s“Funky Friday Podcast”just gave us one of the most talked-about faith moments of the year. Atlanta pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell of 2819 Church stopped by, and when Newton pressed him on his political leanings, Mitchell didn’t hesitate. He denied being a MAGA plant or a conservative representative and made his position crystal clear:“My candidate is the Lord Jesus Christ.”The clip has been lighting up social feeds ever since.

But Mitchell didn’t stop there. He said he prays for everyone in office, including President Trump, while noting that doesn’t mean he endorses everything Trump does. And when it comes to his congregation, he was just as direct. He said he would never stand on a pulpit and tell people to vote for a specific candidate, choosing instead to encourage them to vote according to values drawn from God’s Word.

The exchange is sparking a bigger conversation about the line pastors walk between civic engagement and partisan politics, a debate that shows up in churches across the country. Newton’s podcast has become an unexpected platform for these kinds of honest faith conversations, and this episode delivered a moment people can’t stop sharing. So where do you land? Should faith leaders talk politics from the pulpit, or keep it focused on values? Sound off in the comments.