Detroit, Michigan Sep 19, 2019 (Issuewire.com) - The Historic New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church is very blessed to celebrate 100 years of service. The centennial of any organization is a momentous event and we praise God for the blessing.
Our 100th Anniversary banquet will take place at the International Banquet & Conference Center on Friday, September 20, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. located at 400 Monroe Street- Detroit, MI 48226.
On December 31, 1919, a small group of Christians, a council and Moderator Reverend J. B. Glover, organized a Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. After much prayer, the founders were organized and accepted as the New Mt. Zion Baptist Church and they called Rev. Major Baldwin as the pastor. For a season, New Mt. Zion was successful as they pursued the purposes of God. Unfortunately, a destructive spirit of jealously crept into the congregation, the membership split, chaos reigned, and Reverend Howard chose to leave the church. The pastoral search was fruitful and recommended for a pastor the Reverend James S. Williams Sr., the church for consideration. On January 24, 1926, New Mt. Zion called Rev. James S. Williams he accepted the pastorate in 1926 the membership had increased and the building became overcrowded. The church located at the corner of Leland and Riopelle. By 1928 the growing membership moved to 3600 Chene and two thousand strong marched into their new home. Later that year someone placed a bomb on the doorstep of the building and caused devastating damage to the church and surrounding buildings. The church was under attack and placed under policemen watch. The congregation fought the good fight and the building was restored and they continued to 'Walk with God".
The church continued to march triumphantly on until 1960; then the Detroit Board of Education notified the church that a school would be located on the corner occupied by New Mt Zion. Although the membership was disheartened, Rev. Williams and the officers sought a new church home. Upon the recommendation of Rev. Williams the church purchased, our present edifice located at 2201 Elmhurst at 14th Street. On November 13, 1960, the membership marched into a new home amid many new challenges in a diverse and changing environment. Several months following the Detroit 1967 riot, on November 17, 1967, Rev. J. S. Williams, Sr., our beloved pastor for more than 41 years, went home to live with the Lord. We were left in deep sorrow and mourning.
The time came for the church to select a new pastor. On November 8, 1968, after serving as acting pastor for one year, Rev. James. L. Newby, III received an overwhelming vote from the church family and was called to pastor the church. Pastor Newby had a fervent passion to see people come to know Jesus Christ. He taught the Word of God, whether it was popular or not. He took a firm stand on what he believed the Word of God was saying to him. He was a strong spiritual leader and set a great example for his congregation as a Godly man.
On July 21, 2002, our beloved Pastor, Rev. J. L. Newby III went home to be with the Lord. With heavy hearts, the Deacons and Trustees, prayerfully, continued to lead our grieving congregation, as Pastor Newby would have wanted.
Another call went up through prayer for a new spiritual leader in 2003. On May 23, 2008, Rev. Jimmie T. Wafer, was installed as our new Pastor. Pastor Wafer stated in his “Vision” for the church, “I deeply believe that our desire to be an integral part of the body of Christ will bring a message of salvation to the communities that surround us. My vision is a catalyst designed to energize the collective vision from God for this church. We pray that the Spirit of God will fan that smothering vision until it is like fire shut up inside of one unified body of Christ determined to advance the Church.” The church will continue to celebrate this 100th-year historic occasion with celebratory events.
New Mt. Zion will always stand as a beacon of light of Gods’ love and hope for the congregation and the community. We will “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 19, 20)
Media Contact
Margaret L. Hall ramp1exit1@gmail.com 2482270096 2201 Elmhurst http://newmtzionmissionarybaptistchurch.org
