Greater New Zion Missionary Baptist Church : Show up to Grow up with God

GREATER NEW ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY

(Highlights)

In the month of February, 1948, a mission was started by Reverend J.H. Adkins and his wife, Mrs. Louise Adkins at 18th Street on Canal. They held services in a building obtained by Reverend Arnold until April 4, 1948 when the church was founded and organized with six (6) members who were dismissed from Shiloh Baptist Church for the purpose of organizing a church.

Mrs. Annie Harris suggested the name of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church and it was properly voted upon and named. Reverend J.H. Adkins was called the first pastor.
On April 7, 1948, the first member to unite with the church was Mrs. Hattie Honar.

The site at 1721 East Pueblo was purchased for $1,500.00 cash from Dr. and Mrs. Phillips. Reverend Adkins served as pastor until September 21, 1953, when he passed away due to illness. New Zion was then led by Reverend E. D. Hawkins, Reverend Otis Holden Sr., Reverend F. D. Pryor, and Reverend Daniels for the next 12 years until November of 1966 when Reverend Victor W. Nelson from Little Rock, Arkansas, was called to pastor.

In February of 1972, Reverend Nelson led the congregation to the present location of 350 West Mohave.
The church name was changed from New Zion to Greater New Zion Missionary Baptist Church and the first member to unite with the church at its new location and new name was Reverend Hollis Ellis Sr. Reverend Victor Nelson served until 1976 before being called to pastor Temple of Faith Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan.
Greater New Zion was pastored by Reverend Seay from October 29, 1976, until August of 1977 and then by Reverend Burditt for two months until our current pastor emeritus, Reverend Othell T. Newbill, Jr. came from Chicago, Illinois serving as pastor for over 38 years from October 17, 1977 until December 31, 2015.

In 1989 Pastor Newbill established our Church Motto – “Show Up to Grow Up with GOD”

Under Reverend Newbill’s leadership great things were accomplished for the church, the community, and in the lives of men. Rev. Newbill became father to 11 sons in the ministry, six of which went on to become pastors themselves and three of which remain pastors currently. Greater New Zion became very active in supporting local mission work, valuing Christian education, active Convention fellowship, and a spirit-filled presence in our community.

He also led our church through the fiery trials of arsonists who destroyed the structure of the sanctuary on April 10, 1996, but not the heart of the church within the walls. Several pastors opened their church doors for us to worship and we did not miss a Sunday of worship or prayer meeting & bible study. Our own, Mother Ruth Tillery, graciously allowed us to hold weekly prayer meeting & bible study at her home for nearly a year. Sunday Morning worship was at the Valley Christian Center. We will always be grateful to both Mother Tillery and the Center. On Easter Sunday, March 30, 1997, 355 days after the fire, our church doors re-opened and we joyously marched in!

In 2000, GOD further blessed us to have a fellowship hall and add 4 classrooms to the rear of the building. We dedicated these additions as the “Alberta Robertson Educational Center” on November 26, 2000.

On November 18, 2011, the church was richly blessed to close escrow and purchase the property located at 338 West Mohave without liens or loans for just over $10,000. Work began less than a month later to tear down the burnt building on the property, remove debris, and complete the east side parking lot expansion.

On January 1, 2016, the pastoral leadership mantle passed from father to son. Our church is now under the leadership of Reverend Othell T. Newbill, III. We are working hard to follow his vision rooted in II. Chronicles 7:14 and we love his desire to lead a church that looks like heaven.

In 2016, the property at 349 West Mohave (directly across the street south of the church) was purchased. We have visions of opening Zion’s House to serve the community and are waiting on GOD for the direction HE has in store for HIS work.

After the first year, pastor challenged the leadership team to establish a Mission Statement for our church and it was accomplished in the early months of 2017 and it continues to be a constant reminder to remain in sync with the Word of GOD for we are “One body in Christ, seeking lost souls in every community by teaching, preaching, serving, and leading them to Christ. Through prayer we go – Be Intentional!”

The church mortgage was completely paid in full and documented with the Maricopa County Recorder’s office on December 20, 2021. We celebrated this blessing from GOD with a mortgage burning ceremony on January 9, 2022 during our Pastor’s 6th Anniversary worship services. Tithes & Offerings!!!!

We remember the many who have seen their earthly sunset whom we dearly miss being among us on this earth. We pray for the many that have been ordained as deacons to service and licensed as well as ordained to preach the Word of GOD. We are grateful that there have been many more who have come and remain than those who have departed. We are thankful for the wisdom GOD has provided through our current pastor, pastor emeritus, associate ministers, leadership, and members. The Lord has indeed been our Helper and what a gracious, merciful, and all-powerful Helper HE is!!!!

We solicit your prayers as we want everything done in this local church body to edify God and build up the kingdom so we can each be part of THE CHURCH Christ comes back for!

Improvements

350 W. Mohave St. Phoenix, AZ 85003 || View Map || Phone: 602-254-1688