About MZBC

Founded in 1890, Mount Zion Baptist Church has a long and rich history spanning over a century. Known as home to the largest African American congregation in Washington state, we strive to meet our mission and fulfill our vision.

Mission

Mount Zion Baptist Church exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, develop mature Christian disciples, empower the hurting for victorious living, and seek God’s justice in the world.

Scripture: Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19-20, and Matthew 25:34-40

Vision

Mount Zion Baptist Church is called to be a Christ-Centered Church that addresses the needs of the total person through liberating worship, life-transforming Christian education, progressive and timely ministries and effective social activism.

Our Beliefs & Tenets

God

We believe that there is one God in three persons (God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Each person of this triune God (God in three persons) is co-equal and co-eternal. Luke3:22, 2 Corinthians 2:10, Hebrews 1:3.

We believe that God is the ultimate creator of the universe. All creatures came into being by the will of God. God made us into God’s image and provided us with intellect, emotion and will. Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 9:6, James 3:9.

Jesus

We believe in the deity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the second person of the Trinity; He is both the Son of God and God the Son. We believe that Jesus is fully human and divine and that Jesus is God’s ultimate means of salvation for humanity. We believe in his virgin birth and sinless life.

Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead. Through His death and resurrection, atonement was made for the sins of the world. We believe that He ascended to the right hand of the God the Father and will return to earth in all power and glory. John 1:1

The Holy Spirt

We believe that the Holy Spirit (also known as the Holy Ghost) is the third component of the Trinity or Triune God and that He is our teacher and our guide, according to John 14:16-17, 26. God sent the Holy Spirit to remind, rebuke and encourage the followers of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is God’s presence living with us, around us and in us.

The Bible

We believe that the Bible is the inspired, authoritative written word of God as given to and interpreted by human writers. We believe that the Bible was written by holy men moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21

The Bible instructs our daily acts of living and serves as a critical witness of God’s acts in history. Because we are a predominantly African American church, we are mindful of our history in America. We know that the Bible can be misused and misquoted to cause great harm to God’s people. We strive to use the Holy Scriptures to inspire, instruct and call all people into just relationships with God and with one another.

Salvation

We believe that God provides a way of salvation and eternal life for all men and women. We are saved from being eternally separated from God our Creator and we are saved for living justly with all creation and for sharing the good news of salvation through Jesus with others. This is the Great Commission.

We believe that salvation for believers is attained by grace through faith alone – not by works. We cannot earn our salvation. Salvation is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8-9.

Baptism

Baptism is an ordinance of the church practiced to represent that we have new life in Christ. Baptism symbolizes the death, resurrection and burial of Jesus; we are baptized to identify with Christ. Baptists believe in baptism by full immersion (we are completely placed under water).

Persons who ask Jesus into their lives and make a commitment to follow Him are eligible for baptism. Baptism, in and of itself, does not save us – it is, rather, a public sign of an inner transformation.