About Us

CHURCH SLOGAN –
“…The joy of the whole earth is mount Zion…” (Psalm 48:1-2).
Established Since 1923

CHURCH HISTORY 

In the early 1920s, around 1923 a group of people came together guided by the Holy Spirit and started worshipping at a brush harbor located at Perry Springs, lead by Reverend W. R. Robinson, better known as Dad Robinson. Perry Springs is located between Alcoa Plant and the Township of Badin.

In the mid-nineteen twenties the group organized this church known then as Second Baptist. They proceeded to find a better place to worship. Alcoa heard of their circumstance and allowed them to worship in the community center for a number of years.

In the early years of the 1940s we were under the divine guidance of the late Reverend B. F. McManus. Second Baptist was led to the holy state of a more God-fearing people and to the reality of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Power and the Love of God, for God and by God to each member which still abounds. An indelible mark was left by Reverend McManus which shall always remain with us.

The church continues with an undying love and faith which will outlast each of us. As the church grew in the 1950’s we sought to purchase the community center. We did and this is when the church was renamed from Second Baptist Church to its current name, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

Reverend H. A. White, who was in his later years at the time, came to us with a dream in the 1960s. His plan was to construct a T-shaped structure on the back of the Sanctuary. His time here was short and sweet yet productive because he had a dream that manifested.

In the early 1970s, the dream was realized. Under the auspices of the late Reverend Lonnie C. Broadway, we launched a substantial remodeling project ($125,000). The church expanded beyond the sanctuary to include the fellowship hall, kitchen, nursery, choir room, library, pastor’s study, business office, two restrooms, and parking lot.

1975 – 1997

Another remodeling program began under the leadership of Reverend D. L. Thompson, with a focus on fiscal, physical, and spiritual growth and progress. “To God be the glory for what He has done for us,” because the people had a mind to work.

Accomplishments:

Worship services from two Sundays a month to four to know every Sunday.
Bible Study and Praise Services.
Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation Program to know Health and Wellness Initiatives.
Church Nursery.
Laying of Cornerstone.
Handicapped walk and ramp.
Membership and Support of Stanly County Missionary Baptist Association, NC, General Baptist State Convention, The Lott Carey Convention, The Holy Week Association.
Adult Education Program.
Afternoon Tutorial Program.
Support of other Civic Groups.
Fiscal

Paid off church indebtedness of more than $80,000.
Established a satisfactory credit rating, presently above average credit rating.
Physical

Asphalting Southeast parking area, addition of northeast parking area, renovating of church interior (including the sanctuary with new lights), replacing air conditioner units, carpeting of floors, woodwork, new office furniture, computer and fax machine, purchased a new van, new organ, drums, new kitchen appliances and utensils.
“To God be the glory for what He had done.”

Now, “To God be the glory for what He is doing.”

Bishop Tavaris La Keith Johnson, Sr. and his wife Evangelist Whitnei Holman Johnson were selected and called as Pastor and First Lady of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church on September 8, 2020. Within the first year of their God-fearing and God-ordained leadership, the following was accomplished by faith:

Repainting of the church’s sanctuary.
New carpet in the church’s sanctuary and in the hallway.
Reupholstering of the church’s pews and pulpit furniture.
Removal of tree in back of the church.
By faith in God and our support (mortgage payoff of the church – December 2021).
Replacement and installation of retainer wall on side of the church.
Purchase of new warming station and stove for kitchen and fellowship hall.
Painting of the church’s steeple.
Loan payoff of new HVAC system.
Purchase and installation of new sound system, media equipment and monitors, and church website.
Purchase and installation of new church marquee and memorialization of historic church sign and preservation of the church’s bell.
Celebrated our Centennial Year (100 Years) in December of 2023 with a Centennial Ball in which by the grace of God and the full support of our membe’s we raised more than $25,000.
Reinstatement of two of our deacons to our Diaconate Ministry: Deacon William Wesley Washington and Deacon Avesta Ricardo Lilly.
The relaunching of our Sunday School Department and classes.
Launching and/or relaunching of our Men’s Department, Women’s Department, Youth Department, Male Chorus, Women’s Choir, Youth Choir, Media and Marketing Team, Health and Wellness Ministry, Deacon-to-member Ministry, New Members’ Orientation.
The following trips were taken with our Youth Department: Carowinds and The Black History Muslim in Greensboro, NC.
The Past and Present Pastors, Deacons, Deaconess, and Trustees of Mt. Zion over the years are as follows: