Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church
1161 NW 29 Terrace
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
954-581-0455
Dr. James B. Darling, Jr., Pastor/Teacher
First Lady, Irene Darling
MOTTO: Mt. Zion is: "A safe haven and you can get to Heaven from here"
On October 10, 1961 Beaulah Missionary Baptist Church was established with sixteen members under the leadership of the late Reverend Benjamin D. Coes. April of 1964, Beaulah and Mount Eagle Baptist Church, both with a few of their congregants merged with thirty-nine members through the direction of Reverend J. King of the Seaboard Baptist Association. Through this merger, the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church was born. The membership continued to grow under the faith and capable leadership of Reverend Dr. Benjamin David Coes until his demise on March 12, 1984. Reverend Otis C. Allen accepted the call to the pastorate of Mt.Zion Missionary Baptist Church in December of 1984. Many much needed improvements to the church were made. Such improvements included a new Pastor’s office and fellowship hall. Central air and heat were installed and an additional cooling system was added to the Sanctuary.
On July 31, 2013 Mt. Zion called Dr. James B. Darling, Jr., and he accepted the call of Pastoral Leadership to continue building to higher heights. Dr. Darling organized new ministries such as hospitality, men’s, women’s, dance/drama, etc. Under Dr. Darling’s leadership, Reverend Dr. O.C. Allen was made Pastor Emeritus until his demise. Since the call of Dr. Darling, membership and finances to carry out God’s program have increased through the guidance of the Holy Sprit. Several improvements have been made to beautify the Lord’s House such as bathroom remodeling, new furniture for the Fellowship Hall and improvements in the Sanctuary.
This past year, 2020 presented new challenges to the world and Mt. Zion. March 15, 2020 was our last in person worship service due to a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. In the middle of a pandemic, we were blessed to continue our services via the telephone and then we were able to use Zoom for online worship and ministry meetings. A Third Saturday Prayer Service was started by the Christian Education Ministry and it continues to grow. Mt Zion was on the move; what we call saucer blessings.
In addition to the shutdown from the pandemic, areas of Broward County were flooded and Mt. Zion suffered damage to our offices and Sanctuary. In the middle of a pandemic then flood, Mt. Zion was renovated under the direction and vision of Pastor Darling from the Pastor’s office to the foyer just to name a few: sound system, electronic video screen, tile floor and furnishings; can we say tabletop blessings. Also during this trying year we were blessed to be a blessing to our community at Thanksgiving. Mt. Zion was able to feed 125 families in our community with full complete with turkeys dinner baskets. In addition to the dinner baskets, we were also able to donate 25 turkeys to the community. This could not have happened without our members working together in faith, unity and love. Overflow onto the floor blessings.
Let us give thanks and praise to God through his son Jesus Christ for our blessings overflow.
Our theme this year is “The Year of Remembrance”. We encourage one another to stay committed to making disciples.
The Mt. Zion Family is fond of saying, “We are a Safe Haven and you can get to Heaven from here”.
Revised 5/2021
THE VISION
To build a ministry where God's people are empowered to live their lives abundantly through providing life experiences and opportunities designed to enhance and enrich their spiritual, emotional, physical, educational, and financial.
THE MISSION
The Mission of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church is to Win Souls through the spreading of God's Word throughout the community & to teach the people of God His Will for their lives; to prepare them for a life of service and commitment to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior; Last but not least, to give the people of God hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
THE PURPOSE
To equip, encourage, and empower
WORSHIP SERVICES
Sunday
10:15 am - Worship Service
WEEKLY SERVICES
Tuesday
7:00 PM - Executive Board - 1st or 3rd
7:00 P.M. - Prayer Workshop - 2nd & 4th
Wednesday
6:30 pm - Prayer Meeting
7:00 pm - Church School
Saturday
Deacons Meeting (4th/5th) - 5:00 .P.M.