the assignment by mount zion

What Is the Biblical Significance of Mount Zion?

Mount Zion is the City outside of Jerusalem, or Israel or Temple of the Mount or the Western Hill, the City of David, the descendant of Christ, the City of our God and the location of Christ’s rule on earth, and it is a spiritual location and an eternal Jerusalem.

Zion is one of the most important places that the Bible describes. But is it merely just a place or does it have more significance in the life of our Savior?

We first encounter the word Zion in 2 Samuel 5:7 , as it is written, “David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.”

And then we also further read it in 1 Kings 8:1 , “Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Zion, the City of David.”

And also, in 1 Chronicles 11:4-5 , “The Jebusites who lived there said to David, ‘You will not get in here.’ Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion — which is the City of David.”

And in 2 Chronicles 5:2 , “Then Solomon summoned to Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Zion, the City of David.”

Based on these verses, Zion plays an important and significant part in the Bible and the history and life of our Lord Jesus Christ, even prior to his coming here one earth. Let us read the Bible further and discuss how significant Zion is to our lives.

The Physical Significance of Zion

The first and obvious significance of Zion is that it is a city, which is physically located on top of a hill outside Jerusalem’s wall. It is also associated with the Temple of the Mount and also the Western Hill. Moreover, Israel is also referred to as Mount Zion.

With this understanding, we can say that Zion is tangible. It can be seen, and it can even be lived in.

But as we further analyze Zion, we will come to realize that it is not merely a tangible city. It is, in fact, a spiritual city that has been part of a long prophecy of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Zion Is the City of David and the “City of our God”

Another importance of Zion is that it is the same as the City of David, which means it is significant because David himself is very significant — so very significant, in fact, because his lineage was the prophesized lineage of our Lord Jesus Christ. We can read this prophecy mentioned in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 saying that the Eternal Kingdom will come from David’s lineage.

“When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”

We can further read this in the Psalms of the Sons of Korah, as it is written in Psalm 48 ,

A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress.

When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together, they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror. Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor. You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind.

As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lord Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever. Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments.

Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

In this verse, we also see the description of Zion as being the City of our God.

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It Is the Location of Christ’s Rule on Earth

Zion is also significant because it can be regarded as the location of the rule of Christ during the millennial kingdom. In Revelation 12:5 , it is written, “She gave birth to a son, a male child, who ‘will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.’ And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.”

Also, in Revelation 20:4-6 ,

I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; ( Psalm 69:35 ).

For the Lord will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory ( Psalm 102:16 ).

Great is the Lord in Zion;   he is exalted over all the nations ( Psalm 99:2 ).

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed ( Psalm 126:1 ).

It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore ( Psalm 133:3 ).

We can read through these verses that Zion is the place where God bestows His blessing and one of this is our Saviour, Jesus.

Zion Is the Spiritual and Future Eternal Jerusalem

Another significance of Zion is that it is regarded as the future eternal Jerusalem and that it is a spiritual place.

In Isaiah 35:10 , it is written, “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

And in Psalm 128:5 , “May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.”

In these verses, we can read that God gives prosperity over Jerusalem as He blesses Zion. This is part of His promise to His creations, that the day shall rise, and lives shall prosper.

Zion’s significance can be enumerated into four statements:

1. It has physical significance whereby it is the City outside of Jerusalem or Israel or Temple of the Mount or the Western Hill.

2. It is the City of David, the descendant of Christ.

3. It is also the City of our God and the location of Christ’s rule on earth.

4. Lastly, it is a spiritual location and an eternal Jerusalem.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/John Theodor

Glory Dy  has been a content creator for more than 10 years. She lives in a quiet suburb with her family and four cats.

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Mount Zion in the Bible - Scriptures and Meaning

Biblical references of Zion are found throughout the Bible, including both the Old and New Testaments. Learn more about the meaning of this popular biblical term and find Bible verses about Mount Zion in the collection of scriptures below. 

The classical Hebrew term Tsiyon (Zion) is “a Canaanite hill fortress in Jerusalem captured by David and called in the Bible ‘City of David.’" Mount Zion represents “the Kingdom of God” in Revelation 21 and “looks ahead to the New Jerusalem that will descend out of heaven.” Zion can indicate one of three places: the hill where the earliest location of Jerusalem stood; the city of Jerusalem itself; or the dwelling place of God.

Table of Contents

Mount zion as the city of david, mount zion in the old testament, mount zion in the new testament.

Mount Zion is a hill in Jerusalem, located just outside the walls of the Old City. The term Mount Zion is found in the Old Testament first for the City of David ( 2 Samuel 5:7 , 1 Chronicle 11:5; 1 Kings 8:1 ) and later for the Temple Mount, but its meaning has shifted and it is now used as the name of ancient Jerusalem's Western Hill. In a broader sense, the term is also utilized for the entire Land of Israel.

2 Samuel 5:7 ~ Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.

1 Chronicles 11:5 ~ The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, "You will not come in here." Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.

1 Kings 8:1 ~ Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers' houses of the people of Israel, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.

Learn more about the Meaning of Zion in the Bible from Christianity.com

The Bible ’s first reference talks about “the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.” ( 2 Samuel 5:7 ).

Isaiah includes multiple references: “Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy” ( Isaiah 4:3 ); “gifts will be brought to Mount Zion , the place of the Name of the Lord Almighty.” ( Isaiah 18:7 ) Read the numerous Old Testaments mentions of Zion below:

A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. ~ Psalm 125:1

Return, O faithless children, declares the Lord; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. ~ Jeremiah 3:14

By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. ~ Psalm 137:1

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls. ~ Joel 2:32

But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape, and it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions. ~ Obadiah 1:17

A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. ~ Psalm 48:1-2

Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ ~ Isaiah 28:16

Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. ~ 2 Samuel 5:7

“As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” ~ Psalm 2:6

The sons of those who afflicted you shall come bending low to you, and all who despised you shall bow down at your feet; they shall call you the City of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel. ~ Isaiah 60:14  

Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage! Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt. ~ Psalm 74:2

The authors of the New Testament, Matthew, John, and Paul, reference what had already been mentioned in the Old Testament when they speak of Zion. Discover New Testament Bible verses about Zion in the collection of scriptures below:

For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned." Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear." But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant , and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. ~ Hebrews 12:18-24

What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." ~ Romans 9:30-33

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture : "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense. "They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. ~ 1 Peter 2:1-12

Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless. ~ Revelations 14:1-5

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Pastor Keith Battle challenges us to do more than just know the assignment on our lives, but to understand and execute it well and though the path to accomplishing this may be filled with both victories and trials, in the end, we will be blessed for our obedience.

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Understanding the assignment, speaker: pastor keith battle, september 26, 2021.

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ABOUT OUR LEADER

The Reverend Doctor Addison L. Canidy has faithfully served

The Lord our God with spiritual and theological distinction for

many years.

Dr. Addison Canidy is the son of Eugene Canidy and Pam Leak.

This Son of The Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Topeka,

Kansas, was reared and baptized in the faith at an early age and

has committed his life to fulfilling the call to preach and teach

the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Dr. Canidy was called to preach at the early age of fifteen. He

accepted the call at eighteen years old and a year later, August

13, 2006, he preached his first sermon at his home church,

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. By the grace of God, Dr.

Canidy has had the honor and privilege of preaching both

nationally and internationally; spreading the good news of Jesus

Dr. Canidy’s academic preparation includes having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emporia State

University (2010), a Master of Divinity from The Morehouse School of Religion at The

Interdenominational Theological Canter (ITC) (2014) and a Doctorate of Ministry from The Morehouse

School of Religion at The ITC (2018) where he successfully defended his dissertation “Christ, Color and

Facts in the Black Consciousness.” In 2015, Pastor Canidy became a welcomed member of the Academy of

Preachers. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

Canidy has served in a number of capacities during the life of his ministry including his service as a

worship leader, college music director, youth pastor, church planter and Senior Pastor. On August 20,

2023, Dr. Addison Canidy was elected as the 19th Senior Pastor of Mount Zion Second Baptist Church

in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Canidy graciously accepted this assignment and is honored to be a part of the same pastoral lineage as

Rev. J. T. Dorsey, Rev. Emory R. Searcy, Sr., Rev. Larry Jones, Rev. Marty L. Henderson, Reverend Dr.

Henry “Wise” Jones, Pastor Emeritus and many more.

Dr. Canidy considers his greatest achievement to be his family. Dr. Canidy has been married to his wife,

DaNeale Canidy, for 11 years. Together they are the blessed parents of three amazing daughters, Daylan,

Addison (Addie) and Skye Canidy.

Rev. Dr. Addison L. Canidy Is Delighted That You Would Consider Him As A Speaker For Your Event. We Request That You Complete The Form Below And Our Administrative Team Will Contact You Soon. Please Note That This Form Is A Request For Information And Should Not Be Considered A Confirmation Of Attendance.

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"The Church is Moving On!"

African Methodist Episcopal Church of New Brunswick, New Jersey

Our History -

“The African Methodist Episcopal Church grew out of the Free African Society (FAS) which Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, and others established in Philadelphia in 1787 when officials at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church pulled blacks off their knees while praying at the altar which they had helped to build.”**

It is important to note that slavery began in the State of New Jersey in the early 17th century. New Jersey passed a law abolishing slavery in 1804 and instituted a process of gradual emancipation. The law made African Americans free at birth, but required children born to slave mothers to serve lengthy apprenticeships as a type of indentured servant until early adulthood. New Jersey was the last northern state to abolish slavery completely. 

Thirty eight years before the last slaves in New Jersey were freed in 1865, Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church was organized. In 1827 records show that Joseph and Jane Hoagland along with other Blacks in the New Brunswick, New Jersey, area were founders of the Church. It is not known whether the founders were free or slaves or a combination of the two. 

The property for the first building is reported as “a lot sized 30 x 13.5 sq.ft.” purchased for $417.73 from Abraham S. Clark and his wife. The membership of the congregation at that time was thirty persons. By December 12, 1829, the congregation held the title to property bought and paid for, and located on Division Street, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, upon which the first Church was erected. The first Mount Zion was a small, frame structure that looked like “the little red school house” so dear to the hearts of our forefathers. There was a burying ground around it. The men sat on one side of the Church, and the women on the other. The Officers sat in what is known to us as “The Amen Corner.” 

During the early days, Mount Zion did not have a regular Pastor. Circuit riders came and preached, and then rode off on horseback to the next preaching assignment. To date, there have been 70 Pastors assigned to Mt. Zion. The first registered Pastor was Rev. Richard Robinson who served for two years from 1832-1834. It was not until the assignment of Rev. Solomon Hill (1938-1949) that a Pastor served for more than three years. Rev. Hill served as Pastor for eleven years. Rev. Hill was a very active member of the greater New Brunswick Area. He was a community-oriented Pastor and was loved throughout the area. He installed a new system of bookkeeping and business administration which improved the financial standing of the church. During his Pastorate the Church was stabilized for the first time. 

Following Rev. Hill, Rev. W. C. Cook served from 1949 -1959. Under his leadership, Mt. Zion was renovated both inside and out. He served on the Boards of The Neighborhood House, and the New Brunswick Chapter of the American Red Cross. 

Rev. James W. Waters followed Rev. Cook as our Pastor from 1959-1964. He, too, assumed a very prominent role in community affairs. He was an officer of the Ministerial Alliance of New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Council of Churches and served on the Board of the New Brunswick Mount Zion AME Church - “186 Years of Reflecting God’s Glory” 2 Corinthians 3:18 

Urban League. When he ran for Mayor, Rev. Waters was the first of our race to run for public office in the history of New Brunswick. One of the most significant events of the years of Rev. Waters’ administration was the organization of the North Stelton A.M.E. Church during the conference year 1963-1964. Pastor Waters with the able assistance of Rev. Anna Howard conducted a survey and thereby determined the need for a church in the rapidly growing North Stelton Community of Piscataway Township. 

The longest serving Pastor to date was Rev. Henry A. Hildebrand who served for 37 years. Shortly before Rev. Hildebrand’s assignment to Mt. Zion, a Building and Expansion Fund was established at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church on Division Street. On June 29, 1964, a $238.80 deposit was the first made to this account. One of the most notable events during Rev. Hildebrand’s Pastoral term was our move into this edifice on October 10 and 11, 1987, after a seven-year struggle from the ground breaking ceremony to the occupying of this building. The list of accomplishments that Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church made while he was pastor is too lengthy to list in this brief narrative. However, we have on file in the Alice Archibald History Room a book written in 1994 to celebrate his thirty-year assignment to Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church - The Thirty Year-Pastoral Pilgrimage of The Reverend Henry A. Hildebrand. He continued to serve for seven more years. 

Rev. Dr. Joseph Antoine Hooper served from 2001 through 2009. Rev. Dr. Hooper earned his doctoral degree while pastoring Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church. Under his leadership, the Praising Healthy Team and the Mt. Zion Pre School were established under the auspices of the CDC (Community Development Corporation). In addition, the Mt. Zion CDC partnered with The Leewood Real Estate Group to build the Mt. Zion Leewood Homes in New Brunswick. Under Rev. Hooper’s leadership, our membership grew exponentially, Mt. Zion’s Praise Dancers were formed, and the parsonage was renovated. 

After Pastor Hooper was reassigned to another congregation, Bishop Richard Franklin Norris assigned Rev. Daylan K. Greer, Sr. He served three and a half years from June 2009 through January 2013. Under his leadership, the Mt. Zion Acolytes were installed. 

In January 2013 The Rt. Rev. Gregory G. M. Ingram appointed Rev. Eric Ray Billips and Rev. Myra Turner Billips (known to us as “The Billips Team”) as Co-Pastors. They are the first Pastoral husband and wife team to be assigned in the First Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Pastor Myra Billips represents the first female Pastor of Mt. Zion, New Brunswick. Under their leadership the spirituality of Mt. Zion and community has been positively impacted by these two Pastors who are committed to glorifying God and the growth of HIS Kingdom. 

On June 16, 2018, at the First District's Annual Planning Meeting in Philadelphia-PA, the Rt. Rev. Gregory G.M. Ingram assigned the Reverends Drs. W. Golden and Mattie Ard Carmon as the 70th Pastors of Mt. Zion AME Church of New Brunswick. Both Senior Pastor W. Golden, and Assistant Pastor Mattie, came with strong ministry and business credentials, as well as many years of successful pastoral experience. Under their leadership, Mt. Zion has returned to growth and authentic Christian ministry. The Church has also become debt free for the first time in 43-years; and, the Church's CDC Pre-K School has been revitalized. The officers and members are grateful that in "The Year of Restoration" (Bishop Ingram's 2018-19 First District Theme), God blessed Mt. Zion with new Pastors who are well equipped to provide the leadership needed to restore, revive, and rebuild Mt. Zion as Christ's Great Commission AME Church serving the Greater New Brunswick and Middlesex County area!

Our ministry resource & support departments are designed to build strong relationships in order to effectively do ministry. While each member of the body has its own assignment, it takes each member working together to reach the goal of the Church. Our team is committed to serving God and His people in excellence. Below is a listing of department heads that make up the team of Mount Zion. They are listed in alphabetical order after the (C) level officers.  

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Odell Cleveland

Chief administrative officer.

Pastor Cleveland is currently responsible for improving the operating efficiency, supporting the CEO/Senior Pastor in administrative decisions and ensuring accurate financial reporting. He operates from the perspective of bringing the expertise and experiences of business entrepreneurship together with the mission of the Church.

Pattie Elwood

Chief financial officer.

Pattie oversees our Accounting & Finance Department ensuring accurate reporting and timely financial information, addressing issues surrounding capital structure and economic forecasting to ensure the success of the Church. She also oversees tangible assets, insurance regulations and human resources.

Monica Davis

Executive administrative assistant to bishop bryan j. pierce, sr..

Monica’s responsibility is to enhance the Senior Pastor’s effectiveness by providing information and management support. In addition, she works closely with the Creative Team to ensure that calendared events sync with Pastor’s Office.

PASTORAL TEAM

Marieno Brisbon

Online campus pastor & ministry resource director.

Pastor Marieno leads the Evangelism Team and oversees the iChurch Online Campus by providing leadership, programming and ministry development.  In addition, He works with the Creative Team to identify future innovative opportunities. Marieno also assist with outreach.

Kedrick Clark

Clt metro campus pastor & dream team pastor.

Pastor Ked guides individuals in building the church through service and prioritizing a welcoming guest experience at Mount Zion. He recruits, develops, and coaches new Dream Team members.  In addition, he serves as the Campus Pastor for the Charlotte Metro area that meets every Sunday at 9am at Winkler Middle School in Concord, NC.

Joseph Frierson

Rdu campus pastor & young adult pastor.

Pastor Joe gives oversight and direction to the College and Young Adult Ministry. In addition, he serves as the Campus Pastor for the Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill area that meets every Sunday at 9am at Alston Ridge Middle School, Cary, NC.

Crystal Hood

Pastor of membership services.

Pastor Hood serves as the Pastor of Membership Services overseeing the Growth Track of the Church. Pastor Hood also gets each individual lined up for the next stage of service within the Church. She serves as the point of contact for baptism and new members classes.

Staff Pastor

Pastor Montana So, is a dedicated Staff Pastor, who brings a wealth of spiritual wisdom and a compassionate heart to our congregation. With a strong commitment to fostering spiritual growth and unity, Montana enriches our church community.

Patricia Walker

Pastor of visitation.

Pastor Walker provides pastoral care to members who are hospitalized, in extended care facilities, and confined to their homes. Pastor Walker also facilitates prayer requests and home-going communications on behalf of the members to the leadership and church body. She also serves as the contact person for bereaved members and as presides over the funeral services.

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Johnny Alston

Facilities & ministry resource director.

Deacon Johnny oversees the Enabling Ministry and the Facilities Department. His responsibilities are to provide leadership and resources for E-Team and Ministry Leaders and to provide support during events. Johnny is also responsible for the care, use and management of all Church owned and leased property.

James Brooks

Director | marketing & information systems.

James leads our Strategic Marketing & Communications Teams, managing brand awareness, graphic design, web development, television broadcast and digital creative. He also oversees Information Systems and Administration. 

Mike Coleman

Multimedia coordinator.

Mike works with the Media Team by providing insight and direction with media equipment set up. He coordinates the development, production and distribution of audio and video products.

Demetria Lorick​

Resource coordinator​.

Demetria provides administrative support to the Marketing, Information Systems and Administration Teams.  She also manages events for the church, and any facility rented events. In addition, Demetria serves as administrative support to all ministries of the Church.

LaToya Johnson

Human resource specialist.

LaToya serves as our representative for Human Resources.  She is responsible for processing all front-end personnel, including assisting with the hiring, training, wages and other assigned related administration, to ensure that the church adheres to local, state, and federal employment regulations.

Corey Williams

Director of music & arts.

Minister Corey oversees our Music, Dance and Fine Arts Ministries. These departments are an extension of the Exaltation Ministry and are directly involved in the majority of our worship experiences and events. He is heavily involved with over seeing the creative portion of productions.