ABOUT OUR CHURCH
The Greater Mount Zion Church, a religious based organization, is excited to be a part of the Body of Christ so that we can expand God's Kingdom. One of our goals is to help develop productive citizens so they can make a positive impact in their homes, on their jobs, in their churches and in their communities.
SERVING AT GMZ
We want you to feel connected at GMZ! Our prayer is that you find your place to serve the Lord and make a difference in the lives of others. We have many ministries in the church that exist to serve those who attend our church and provide ways in which you can be a part of serving others.
WORSHIP WITH US
Come experience our incredible service in a friendly atmosphere. Our dynamic praise team prepares our hearts for God's Word by leading us in an amazing time of worship. You will find countless opportunities to connect to a family of believers that is committed to knowing and serving Jesus.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
THE HOLY BIBLE | GOD | JESUS CHRIST | HOLY SPIRIT | THE CHURCH | MAN | SALVATION | BAPTISM AND COMMUNION | ETERNAL SECURITY | ETERNITY
The Holy Bible
We believe the entire Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative, eternal Word of God. God gave the Bible to us through men who were moved by the Spirit to write the words of Scripture. The Bible is without error. It can and should shape the way we live. 2 Timothy 3: 16 – 17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1: 21; Isaiah 40:8
God
We believe there is one triune God, eternally existent as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. They are all together separate and all together one. He created the universe and man in His image after His likeness. Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, His life was offered as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of men by dying on the cross, He was buried in a grave, God raised Him from the dead on the third day to demonstrate His power over sin and death, He ascended to heaven where He sits at the right hand of God, and one day He will return to earth. Matthew 1:22, 23; II Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:25; 8:34; Acts 1:9-11; 2:32-33; I Thessalonians. 4:16-18; Hebrews 4:14-15
Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is equal with God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit lives in every believer once they are saved. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit helps us live for Him every day, convicts us of sin, points us to truth and leads us into righteousness. The Holy Spirit connects people to Christ, equips them in their relationship with God, and helps them share Christ with people who do not know Him. We believe in the personal baptism with the Holy Spirit as received by believers “at the beginning.” We believe in the present-day manifestation of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Church. Acts 1:8; 2:4; 4:31; 8:17; 10:44-46; Romans 8:9-15; II Corinthians 1:21, 22; John 1:33; I Corinthians 12:1-11, 27-31; 14:1-40; Ephesians 5:18
The Church
We believe that the church is the body of Christ of which Jesus Christ is the Head. The church is made up of people growing in God, celebrating God together, connecting to each other, stimulating growth in each other, loving each other, serving those in need, and sharing Christ in their community and around the world.
Man
Man is created in the image of God. Man is to rule and have dominion over God’s
creation. Man sinned and was separated from God. Man can be connected to God
through his Son Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1: 26-27; Psalm 8: 3-6; Romans 3: 10-23; Romans 8: 6-8; Isaiah 59: 1-2
Salvation
We believe that mankind was created in the image of God to have relationship and fellowship with Him. However, mankind became alienated from that relationship through sinful disobedience. When sin entered the world, that sin separated us from our creator, a Holy God, and left man incapable of coming back into a right relationship with God by his own effort. Salvation is an unearned free gift of God’s grace that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. When a person is saved, all sins past, present and future are forgiven, made a new creation and indwelt by the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Salvation is essential for eternal life. Genesis 1:27-28; 3; Romans 3:22-26; 5:8-9; Titus 3:5, 6; Psalm 8:3-6; Ephesians 2:8; I Peter 1:2; I Thessalonians 4:3-8
Baptism and Communion
We believe the two scriptural ordinances of a New Testament church are water baptism and communion. Water baptism and communion are not required for salvation, they are Biblical commands that demonstrate your faith in Christ and obedience to Him. We follow our Lord’s command to give public evidence of our salvation with baptism by water which symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection to a new life in Jesus Christ. Holy Communion is a testament of a believer’s faith in the atoning work done on the cross. The elements of Holy Communion is the bread and the juice which are symbols of Christ’s body and shed blood. The Lord’s table is open to all people in the faith who desire to fellowship with Him. Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41, 8:12-13, 16:30-33; Ephesians 4:5; Matthew 26:26-29, Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30; Matthew 3:11
Eternal Security
God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ. Once an individual places faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, their eternal salvation is secure. Eternal security is maintained by the power of the Holy Spirit which worketh within the believer. John 10: 27 – 30; Romans 8:29; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10
Eternity
We believe that Jesus Christ will return to the earth one day to take everyone who believe in Him. The sin of man caused separation and death. Man will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through salvation through Jesus Christ. To be eternally separated from God will lead a person to hell. To be eternally in union with God is eternal life. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence. John 5:28-29; I Corinthians 15:20-23; Romans 3:20-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:6-8
THE HISTORY OF GREATER MOUNT ZION
The vision of Mt. Zion Baptist Church was given to Bro. Charles Simple, who felt that a Baptist Church was needed in the area. As a result, the church was organized by Rev. T. M. Hall on February 19, 1928. Five people met at the Lynch School building to facilitate the organization of the Church. Those individuals were Charles Simple, Henry Simple, Carrie Simple, Rev. J. C. Mack, Sr., and Rev. John Owens. Rev. J. C. Mack, Sr. was called as Pastor. Charles Simple served as a deacon, Carrie L. Simple assumed the position of secretary and Henry Simple served as the treasurer. Rev. J. C. Mack, Sr. served as Pastor from 1928-1932. The church began to experience growth in 1929 when a revival was held and the church was blessed with more members.
The Lynch School building, where church services were held, was destroyed by a storm in 1932. By the help of the Lord, a church was built in 1933. During this time the church was without a Pastor; however, in the same year members were added to the church and Rev. S. L. Farris was asked to baptize them. During a Southern District Association Board meeting, Rev. S. L. Farris was asked to preach at Mt. Zion. Later he was called to pastor the church. The name “Mt. Zion Baptist Church” was changed to “Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church” because of the great work that was accomplished and because Pastor Farris pastored another church named Mt. Zion Baptist Church in East Columbia, Texas. Rev. Farris served as pastor for 17 years. The Mt. Zion Baptist Church became a member of the Southern District Association and the American Baptist State Convention of Texas.
In April 1951, Rev. C. E. Williams, associate minister, was called to pastor the church. The church grew in number and other auxiliaries were organized. Although Pastor Williams was a quiet man, he was serious about the work of the Lord. He served for nine years. On July 24, 1960 during the Women's Hour of the Southern District Association at the St. Emmanuel Baptist Church, Freeport, TX, the Lord called Pastor Williams - while he was preaching - from labor to reward.
Rev. A. L. McBeth, a dedicated servant, who was short in statue, but tall in leadership and in the Word of God, was called to pastor in November 1960 and accepted the calling on December 4, 1960. New and reorganized auxiliaries were made under his leadership. But, more important than anything, many souls were added to the church. Pastor McBeth had a vision for a greater Greater Mt. Zion. In 1963, a new edifice was built. In September 1964, the Lord called Rev. McBeth home to be with Him.
In 1965, Rev. H. L. Mackey was called to pastor the church. He was a great preacher and was known as the “jumping, singing preacher.” To make the church more attractive, brick was placed on the church and a cornerstone was laid by Brazoria Masonic Lodge #104. Rev. Mackey served as pastor for 17 years.
Reverend W. Alford was called as pastor in 1983. He continued to lead the church in a great way. The membership continued to grow under his leadership and more initiatives were taken to improve worship service. A church nursery was created, the sanctuary was enlarged with office space, and the cafeteria was remodeled. Pastor Alford served for five years and went home to be with the Lord on October 26, 1988.
The seventh pastor sent by God in February 1989 was Reverend Adrian S. Johnson. Under Pastor Johnson’s leadership, several ministries were added with emphasis on GMZ youth and senior membership. The sanctuary was also remodeled. Pastor Johnson was given a vision to erect a multi-ministry building to serve Greater Mount Zion and the local community. In November 1992 a ground-breaking ceremony was held with construction completed in July 1993. The educational wing of the building was dedicated in memory of Deacon Sherman Simple Sr. In 1996 Sister Charlene Moore was hired as a full-time office administrator for the church. On September 12, 2004, Pastor Johnson resigned to devote his time to a ministry he organized.
On February 3, 2005, God sent Elder Roland K. Hendricks, to be the eighth pastor of Greater Mount Zion Church. a great man of God. The vision God gave Pastor Hendricks for GMZ is “Impacting The Total You”. Under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Hendricks has made a positive impact within GMZ and the community. Ministries were added or reorganized to better serve the people.
In 2007, Pastor Hendricks was given the vision to build another sanctuary to accommodate GMZ membership growth. Ten acres of property was purchased and a groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 28, 2009. DaySpring Resources was hired as the construction company, BBA Architect was hired to design the building, many sub-contractors were engaged to complete various segments of the church, and TDECU was utilized for financing. The Grand Opening & Church Dedication was held on June 12, 2010 with a police escort from the East Campus to the West Campus, a Church Dedication Program and concluded with a Praise-Worship-Celebration Service. Phase I of the West campus consists of a 500-seat sanctuary, seven classrooms, prayer room, bookstore, kitchen and administrative suite.
In 2016, construction started with Phase 2 & 3 which consists of a full size gym, exercise room, men and women lock room with showers, four classrooms, recording studio, concession stand, and storage. The building was occupied in September 2017. The building name is GMZ Event Center. Many events are held in this building including weddings, showers, birthday parties, basketball tournaments, volleyball tournaments, open basketball, plays and worship services.
GMZ has a rich history we are extremely proud of and we are excited about our future. We are thankful for the many pastors and members who came before us to set the stage for our success. We are grateful for the members who have embraced the vision to help us build God’s Kingdom.