Our Purpose
Mount Zion Baptist Church is a local church nestled between
Sparta & Ozark, Missouri that is focused on Jesus Christ.
We are a loving family of believers that seeks to KNOW Jesus,
GROW in our spiritual life, and GO share the gospel with the world.
KNOW. GROW. GO.
Sparta & Ozark, Missouri that is focused on Jesus Christ.
We are a loving family of believers that seeks to KNOW Jesus,
GROW in our spiritual life, and GO share the gospel with the world.
KNOW. GROW. GO.
Go Share The Gospel
The mission of the church is to share the gospel, both locally and globally. The church accomplishes this mission by training, equipping, and sending out Christians to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with an unbelieving world. At Mount Zion, we desire to help every believer participate in the mission of the church by taking the gospel to the Ozark and Sparta areas and to the nations. |
HOW IT ALL STARTED... In April of 1885, a group of Baptists met at the old Tillman School with the purpose of establishing a local church in the growing community of McCracken, Missouri. The addition of the Chadwick branch of the Frisco Railroad, connecting Ozark to Chadwick, brought new opportunities to the Ozarks. Margaret Bray suggested the name Mount Zion for this new work. The group then called H.J. Mapes as their first pastor. In 1888, the church purchased a piece of land across the road from the old Tillman school. In 1892 the first church building was dedicated. Sylvia Arnold was saved and baptized at Mt. Zion in 1930. She would spend many years as a missionary to Navajo children in Page, Arizona. Sylvia credited her desire to serve the Lord to her early roots at Mt. Zion. Even though by the 1930's the Frisco railroad had abandoned the Chadwick line, Mt. Zion continued to press on for Jesus Christ. In 1928 the first piano was purchased. Electricity was installed at the church in 1940. By 1947 church signs were made for the church location and along highway 14 (between Ozark and Sparta). The church began construction of a basement in 1954, and then moved the existing structure over it. 1958 saw the church switch from a pot bellied box stove to gas heat. Under the pastorate of Ron Melton, the church helped establish Eastern Gate Baptist Church in 1977. In 1979 the church helped establish Fremont Hills Baptist Church. In 1985, the church celebrated it's 100th year of ministry. Under the pastorate of Ben Brown, the current sanctuary was constructed in 1989, and the education wing and nursery were remodeled in 1996. In 2001, Pastor Wayne Ferry accepted the call as pastor. 2005, was a year that saw the church celebrate 120 years of faithful, and fruitful ministry. Under Pastor Wayne's leadership, a new education wing was added in 2010, along with new media resources. There were numerous, Summer VBS, and special events that brought the church together and reached the community. On June 29, 2022, upon the retirement of Pastor Wayne, the church voted to call Pastor Joshua W. Hall, of First Baptist Church-South Greenfield, Missouri, to be their next pastor. Pastor Josh feels blessed to have followed Pastor Wayne who laid a great foundation. To date, a total of 47 pastors have had the honor to pastor Mt. Zion. All have been used by God to further the work for the kingdom of God. We have many past blessings for which to be thankful, and owe a debt of gratitude to many faithful people of the past whom the Lord used to make Mt, Zion Baptist Church what it is today. However, we believe our best days are still ahead and are excited about the future as we endeavor by His grace to honor God and help people. |
EXPANDING THE VISION...
From the beginning, Mount Zion Baptist Church existed to guide people to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We believe that Jesus is the answer to a broken world. Through love and God's Word we desire to see many come to the knowledge of salvation that is only found in Jesus.
From the beginning, Mount Zion Baptist Church existed to guide people to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We believe that Jesus is the answer to a broken world. Through love and God's Word we desire to see many come to the knowledge of salvation that is only found in Jesus.
WHERE WE ARE HEADED...
As we preach the Word of God and help people grow spiritually in His truth, we invite you to come and grow with us as we serve the King of kings at Mount Zion Baptist Church!
As we preach the Word of God and help people grow spiritually in His truth, we invite you to come and grow with us as we serve the King of kings at Mount Zion Baptist Church!
BE A PART OF OUR STORY...
Join us every Sunday as we gather to worship together at 10 am and 10:55 am.
We also have a Sunday evening worship at 6:00 pm & Wednesday worship at 6:30 pm
Join us every Sunday as we gather to worship together at 10 am and 10:55 am.
We also have a Sunday evening worship at 6:00 pm & Wednesday worship at 6:30 pm