A middle-aged African American man wearing a formal black suit with a white shirt poses with his arms crossed, smiling confidently against a plain white background.
A mature woman with short dark hair styled neatly, wearing a black dress with ruffled lace detailing, pearl and diamond jewelry including earrings, a necklace, and rings, standing against a plain white background. She has bright red lipstick, matching red nail polish, and is posing with one hand on her chest and the other resting on her thigh, smiling softly.
A middle-aged couple dressed in formal attire, the woman with short gray hair, pearl earrings, and a pearl necklace, and the man with a bald head and gray beard, posing against a plain white background.

  • Pastor Bryan Jerome Stevens is the fifteenth Pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, where he

    was installed on August 29, 2010. A native of Caroline County, Virginia, he is married to his

    devoted wife and partner in ministry, Deaconess Jannette P. Stevens. Together, they are

    blessed with two daughters, Lauren Stevens-Booker and Terri Tolliver-Allen, and four beloved

    grandchildren: Patrick Tolliver, Zoe Allen, Olivia Bryann, and Braxton Nathaniel Booker.

    Pastor Stevens acknowledged his call to the Gospel ministry in November 2004. He faithfully

    served as Associate Minister of Christian Education at Second Mount Zion Baptist Church in

    Dawn, Virginia, under the leadership of Pastor Marvin Fields. He was licensed to preach the

    Gospel of Jesus Christ on October 14, 2007, and further prepared for ministry through study,

    training, and ordination.

    Academically accomplished, Pastor Stevens graduated Magna Cum Laude from Averett

    University in May 2003 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He continued his

    professional development at the University of Chicago Business School, where he earned

    certification in Labor Negotiation in 2004. He also attended the School of Arbitration in

    Clearwater, Florida, receiving certification in Labor Arbitration that same year. Answering his

    divine call, he later earned a Master of Divinity from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of

    Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, in May 2008.

    Pastor Stevens retired after 36 years of dedicated service from Philip Morris USA, Inc., in

    Richmond, Virginia. During his tenure, he traveled both domestically and internationally,

    studying and advancing machinery technologies for the company.

    A passionate preacher and teacher, Pastor Stevens is committed to proclaiming the Good News

    of Jesus Christ, making the Word of God relevant in the lives of believers, and building the

    Kingdom of God through the church and community. Since his installation in 2010, many have

    come to Christ, and others have renewed their commitment by joining and rejoining the

    fellowship of Mount Zion Baptist Church.

    Under his visionary leadership, Mount Zion Baptist Church has ordained Deacons and

    Deaconesses and licensed Associate Ministers to carry forth the Gospel. The church has also

    experienced growth through the continuation and establishment of impactful worship services

    and the birth of several ministries that serve both the congregation and the surrounding

    community.

    Pastor Stevens remains actively engaged in supporting both the internal ministries of the

    church and outreach efforts within the community to which he has been called. He has also

    served on various boards, seeking opportunities to expand ministry impact and provide

    meaningful service beyond the church walls.

    His favorite scripture, which reflects his faith and perseverance, is Isaiah 40:31:

    “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;

    they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.”

  • First Lady Jannette Stevens is a native of South Hill, Virginia, and relocated to Richmond,

    Virginia, after graduating high school. She pursued higher education in Business Education,

    laying the foundation for her purposeful and rewarding career. A dedicated and faithful

    professional, First Lady Stevens devoted 38 years of service to one organization, where she

    specialized in graphic arts for the Virginia Department of Education and the Office of the

    Governor of Virginia. Her commitment, excellence, and consistency have been hallmarks of her

    career.

    First Lady Stevens has been happily married for 43 years to the love of her life and best friend,

    Pastor Bryan Stevens. Together, they are blessed with two daughters and four cherished

    grandchildren. She considers it a true blessing to walk alongside her husband in life and

    ministry.

    She was ordained as a Deaconess in 1998 at Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Dawn, Virginia,

    under the leadership of Pastor Marvin Fields. In that same season, Pastor Bryan Stevens was

    also ordained as a Deacon at their beloved home church, where they received their training—

    unaware of what God had planned for their lives.

    In addition to her professional accomplishments, First Lady Stevens has faithfully embraced her

    calling to partner in ministry with Pastor Stevens. She has found great joy in witnessing the

    movement of the Spirit of God, guiding and directing their path as they serve together.

    Her favorite scripture during this season is James 1:12:

    “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will

    receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Meet Our Associate Ministers

A smiling woman with short hair standing in a courtroom, dressed in a dark pinstripe sleeveless blazer, wearing pearl jewelry, with wooden courtroom furnishings in the background.

Min. Lisa Thompson

Logo for Mount Zion Baptist Church in Powhatan County, Virginia, featuring a mountain silhouette, a cross, and the church's name in gold text on a black background.
A woman with glasses and earrings, wearing a black blazer and a leopard print scarf, smiling inside a church with wooden pews and red banner with crosses in the background.

Min. Necil Oliver

An elderly man wearing glasses and a traditional green Chinese suit stands in a church, smiling. The church has wooden pews and spiritual artwork.

Min. Henry Alston

Min. Charlie Williams

An elderly woman with short gray hair and earrings smiling, wearing a brown blazer and white turtleneck, standing in a wood-paneled courtroom or church setting.

Min. Marjorie Alston

Meet The Diaconate Team

Diaconate Page

Meet Our Trustees

Trustees Page

Ministries

  • A smiling woman with curly hair, wearing glasses, hoop earrings, layered necklaces, and a striped blouse.

    Music Ministry

    The Music Ministry is comprised of members and directors of the choirs. The Music Ministry is charged with the responsibility of providing for and maintaining a program of musical worship for the Church.

    Our Ministry Page
  • A bearded man with curly dark hair and glasses, wearing a dark green sweater, sitting indoors with a neutral expression.

    Ushers Ministry

    The Ushers Ministry shall be an auxiliary of the Church. The ushers shall attend to the general comfort and seating of the congregation and to the receiving of the offering. The Ushers Ministry shall elect its officers from among its members.

    Our Ministry Page
  • A young woman with shoulder-length black hair, smiling, wearing a blue top, outdoors with green plants in the background

    Praise Dance Ministry

    G.U.I. Dance Mime and Praise Dance Ministry mission is to express the art of dance through praise and worship of our Lord Jesus Christ. The art of dance and mime expresses the feeling and emotions of GOD and to Him in which His Holy Spirit flows through the very being as one dance and mime.

    Our Ministry Page
  • A young woman with dark brown hair wearing a red long sleeve top, smiling and showing her teeth, outdoors with a blurred background.

    Homebound Ministry

    The Homebound Ministry is dedicated to meeting the needs of our precious Church members who are homebound because of circumstances beyond their control.  We let them know that they are loved and appreciated.  The ministry attempts to focus on keeping all of our members connected.  The ministry shall remember the homebound by taking the word of God to them.  The ministry also meets their physical needs.

    Our Ministry Page
  • Portrait of a woman with short hair, wearing a black shirt, lit with blue and purple lighting, against a plain background.

    Women's Ministry

    The Women Ministry shall coordinate activities that provide spiritual guidance to the youth and women of the Church.  It shall also provide females with resources to develop Godly character, and equip them to influence their world for Christ.

    Our Ministry Page
  • A young man with curly blonde hair, wearing a black hat and a dark t-shirt, smiling outdoors with a blurred metallic background.

    Mens Ministry

    The Men Ministry shall bring spiritual guidance to the youth and men.  The ministry will work to help the youth and men to overcome today’s problems and teach them how to handle them in a Christian manner.  The ministry shall also provide assistance to the elderly.

    Our Ministry Page
  • A woman with dark wavy hair, wearing a red turtleneck sweater, smiling with her mouth open, standing outdoors with a blurred background.

    Media Ministry

    The Media Ministry will use the gift of technology to reach out to various members and communities to bring forth the Word of God.

    Our Ministry Page
  • Close-up portrait of a young man with curly blonde hair, blue eyes, wearing a black hat and a black t-shirt, standing in front of a light-colored background.

    Youth Ministry

    The Youth Ministry shall coordinate all activities and ministries as they relate to the youth of the Church. The ministry will also provide youth with resources to develop Godly character and equip them to share the message of Christ.

    Our Ministry Page
  • A young woman with curly black hair smiling, wearing glasses, hoop earrings, a striped top, and layered necklaces.

    Evangelism & Mission Ministry

    The mission of the Willing Workers Circle is to meet the needs of the community by sending cards to the sick, serving two meals a year to the sick and shut-in, making baskets for nursing home residents, and recognizing MZBC members on both Mother's Day & Father's Day.  In addition, a child that resides in Africa is sponsored through World Vision.

    Our Ministry Page
  • A man with curly dark hair, wearing glasses and a dark sweater, looking sideways with a slight smile in a bright room with a plant in the background.

    Fellowship Ministry

    This ministry is made-up of small group, i.e., 50 members or less, ideally, and sharing common objectives, which are to nurture, to worship, to commune, and go on missions.  The mission is reaching out to others in need with the good news Jesus Christ's love. The purpose is to help one another know God (more) and more, and to become like Him through prayer, sharing the Gospel with specific groups of unbelievers and contributing to worthy causes.

    Our Ministry Page
  • A woman with shoulder-length black hair smiling at the camera, wearing a blue top, surrounded by green plants.

    Crisis and Grief Ministry

    The Crisis and Grief Ministry offers consultation and prayer to the suffering and grieving.  We will do this with compassion, love, and kindness during times of need. 

    Our Ministry Page
  • A young woman with dark wavy hair in a red turtleneck sweater is smiling, standing outdoors with a blurred background.

    Flowers and Gifts Guild Ministry

    The Flower Ministry is responsible for the care of the altar and pulpit flowers year round.  This includes decorating the church for Palm Sunday, Easter, Homecoming and Christmas.  The live flowers will be recycled and distributed to members that are in need.

    Our Ministry Page
  • Close-up portrait of a woman with short dark hair, neutral expression, wearing a black shirt, with blue and purple lighting on her face against a plain background.

    Hospitality Ministry

    The Hospitality Ministry shall create a warm and welcome environment for members and guest.  The ministry shall organize and be in charge of preparing food and beverages for functions organized by the Church.   

    Our Ministry Page
  • Logo of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Powhatan County, Virginia, featuring stylized letters M and Z with a cross and mountain graphic.

    Christian Education

    Christian Education is to equip the Body of Christ for holistic ministry, which will move individuals forward in their spiritual growth. Christian Education in the church covers an ever-widening spectrum of areas, from Bible study to community outreach.

    Our Ministry Page