Our Denominational Heritage
Mt. Zion comes out of and remains a part of the rich heritage that is the African Methodist Episcopal Church. As a part of the A.M.E. Church, Mt. Zion shares in, affirms and adheres to the following:
The Mission of the A.M.E. Church
THE MISSION of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is to minister to the SPIRITUAL, INTELLECTUAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL and ENVIRONMENTAL needs of ALL PEOPLE by spreading Christ’s liberating gospel through WORD and DEED. At every level of the Connection in every local Church, the African Methodist Church shall engage in carrying out the spirit of the free African Society, out of which the A.M.E. Church evolved: that is, to seek out and save the lost, and serve the needy through a continuing program of,
- Preaching the Gospel
- Feeding the hungry.
- Clothing the naked.
- Housing the homeless.
- Cheering the fallen
- Providing the job for the jobless.
- Administering to the needs of those in [all states, stages and stations in life]
- Encouraging thrift and economic advancement
The Beliefs of the A.M.E Church which included:
The Apostles Creed
The Apostles Creed is a list of affirmations that summarize the core beliefs of the Christian faith. It is called the 'Apostles Creed' not because the apostles themselves wrote it, but because it is believed to be an accurate summary of what the apostles taught.
The 25 Articles of Religion are statements that reflect how Methodist interpret the Bible on matters of the Christian faith and Christian living.
The History of African Methodist Episcopal Church
The African Methodist Episcopal Church was started in 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when a group of free blacks were pulled from their knees while praying in St. George Methodist Episcopal Church. The group led by 27-year-old Richard Allen, an ex-slave, politely walked out, thus starting a movement that resulted in the creation of America’s first formally organized black church. In time, other “African” churches were started and in 1816 these churches came together to officially organize the A.M.E. Church with Richard Allen as the first elected and consecrated Bishop. The A.M.E Church was uniquely founded out of protest against social injustices, rather than theological differences.
We believe that the A.M.E Church is God's answer to a people crying out for social recognition as human beings and a means through which all people could develop a sense of dignity and self-respect as children of God.
The A.M.E Church has never strayed from the course charted by Richard Allen. Today we have 2.5 million members plus, spread throughout the United States, Canada, South America, West & South Africa, the West Indies, India, France and Bermuda.
For a more detailed history please click
History of the AMEC or watch this 25 minute ONLINE VIDEO HISTORY OF THE AME CHURCH!
The Motto of the A.M.E. Church
God our Father, Christ our Redeemer, The Holy Spirit our Comforter, Humankind our Family