Mt. Zion Welcomes American Baptist Churches of the South

Reverend Dr. John H. Grant of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

By Meryl C. McDonald

Dr. John H. Grant, fifth pastor of the historic 130-year-old Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Asheville, will host the 40th Annual Area III meeting of The American Baptist Churches of The South October 15-16, 2010. In addition to Mt. Zion, the WNC Cluster of Area III comprises New Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Asheville, pastored by Rev. Phyllis Martin, and Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church of Hickory, led by Rev. David E. Roberts, II.

Rev. Dr. John H. Grant, Pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

ABCOTS proclaims that God is in the world establishing the divine kingdom over the entire creation, liberating persons and nations from every form of bondage and reconciling all things in Christ. Member churches adhere to the philosophy that mission determines purpose; purpose determines program; program determines structure, and structure determines staffing.

ABCOTS was founded in 1970 to encourage and expand integrated Christian
fellowship. Founding leader Rev. J. C. Herrin worked with black and
white Baptist churches in the South that wished to develop a more
inclusive witness across the divisive barrier of race. The churches
involved also wished to expand their role of higher education as it is
carried out through American Baptist-related HBPC black colleges in the
South. These churches were committed to working with the National
Council of Churches, the Southern Inter-agency Council, and the
Fellowship of Southern churches.

The theme for the 40th Area meeting is “A Faith for These Times,” based
on scripture from Colossians 2:1-5, and “We Come This Far by Faith” is
the theme song. The conference will commence October 15 with A Plenary
Panel on “Community Outreach: Collaboration through Community Based Non-
Profits.” The panelists will include Mrs. Belinda K. Grant, Executive
Director, Mt. Zion Community Development, Inc. (MZCD); Rev. Scott
Rogers, Director, Asheville-Buncombe Community Christian Ministry
(ABCCM); and Rev. Douglas Stowers, Vice Moderator, American Baptist
Churches of the South (ABCOTS).

A Family Reunion Luncheon with guest speaker Reverend Dr. Samuel K.
Lewis of First Calvary Baptist Church of Columbia, S.C. will be followed
by Bible Study led by Rev. Roberts.

Several Auxiliary Workshops will take place in the afternoon: Minister’s
Council, led by Reverend William Lucas, First Chronicles Community
Church of Durham; AB MEN Health issues, Mr. Alan Richmond, MSW, Director
of the Healthy Workplace Initiatives Program; and AB WOMEN Health
issues, Mrs. Sharon West, RN, Director of Nursing, Buncombe County
Health Service and Duke University Institute for End of Life Care.

Evening events include the ABCOTS Mission Dinner at the YMI Cultural
Center with guest speaker Rev. Dr. Lacy S. Alford, Past Moderator,
ABCOTS; a mini-concert with a choir led by Ms. Rochelle Scott, Mt. Zion
Minister of Music; and Evening Worship delivered by Rev. Martin of New
Mt. Olive Baptist Church.

The Saturday session will include a Youth Worship and Panel Discussion
led by Minister Anne White, Minister William Wilson, and Minister Scott
Burgess, all of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, and a Mini-Workshop
led by Associate Pastor Rev. David Miles. Holy Communion Service given
by Dr. John H. Grant of Mt. Zion will follow the Business Meeting and
conclude the conference.

For more information contact the church at (828) 255-0515 or visit www.mtzionasheville.org; or www.ABSCOTS.org.