CHURCH HISTORY

The birthright of Mt. Zion Baptist Church dates back as far as 1897 when Rev. George Watham and his congregation decided to shelter their faith. The land purchased from Jacob Bukey, and the congregation was faced with many trials and tribulations, yet the Lord has been faithful and has never failed us.

1944, Mt. Zion called Rev. James E. Carroll as their pastor and for thirty-three years he kept the congregation together putting love and understanding before everything. “Pray first, then act” is his line of saying. Rev. Carroll’s pastorship saw him standing by his members in sickness and distress. Words cannot express how the congregation felt about their former pastor, who passed from this life in September 1999. The Mt. Zion Church family will always have a very special place in their hearts for Rev. Carroll.

1977, Mt. Zion called Dr. Charles Baker. In his 4-1/2 years as pastor, Dr. Baker’s vigor instituted several programs for the young and old, along with simulating the Church’s financial status.

1983, Mt. Zion called Rev. Michael N. Smith, who came to us with enthusiasm and dedication to the Lord. Rev. Smith greatly inspired Sunday school and Bible Study. Rev. Smith began mid-week service and assisted in organizing the Usher Board. Pastor Smith worked very closely with the youth choir teaching them and instructing them. Under his leadership Mt. Zion grew spiritually and added many new members.

On July 1, 2005, Rev. Billy G. Jenkins, Jr., began serving as Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Pastor Jenkins and his wonderful family have made a beautiful connection with the Mt. Zion Family. Pastor Jenkins strongly believes that the Word of God is the lamp to our feet and light for our path.

Pastor Jenkins has placed special emphasis on equipping the church through expository teaching and preaching in Sunday Morning Worship, Bible Fellowship, and Mid-Week Bible Study “Equipping U.”

Under Pastor Jenkins’ leadership the Lord has blessed Mt. Zion to liquidate its church mortgage, obtain properties, beautify, and enhance the worship facility, and develop the church’s first set of By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation. In addition, at the encouragement of Pastor Jenkins, Mt. Zion petitioned and was voted in as the First African American Church in the Nelson Baptist Association.

2020 brought with it a pandemic and presented challenges to reach our families, members, community, and guests with the Word of God. God provided an opportunity, and we broadened our reach and began streaming our worship services and Bible studies on Facebook and YouTube. While this is never meant to take the place of assembling with the saints, we enjoy our social media presence, as we have connected with and embraced many other brothers and sisters in Christ.

Mt. Zion continues to have a vision to minister holistically to God’s people through Evangelizing the unsaved for Christ, Equipping believers for Christian living and discipleship, Engaging in Christian fellowship and service and Exalting the Savior through prayer, praise, practicing the truth, and the proclamation of the Gospel. As a growing congregation for Christ, with the Lord guiding us by His infallible Word, our desire remains to be Redeemed people who are Reaching the World for Christ.