By: Jackie Hardy, NDG Contributing Writer
New Mount Zion Baptist Church located in Dallas embedded in the Hamilton Park and Lake Highland communities formally welcomed on November 9 their newly appointed senior pastor, Dr. Tommy L. Brown.
“Dr. Brown is a community leader that has earned the respect of many leaders of both the local and national communities. God has given Dr. Brown the ability to deliver sermons that are understood and appreciated across the age spectrum.
With the combination of the two Dr. Brown is ideally suited to lead New Mount Zion Baptist Church to a new spiritual realm,” written response from Billy Heath, Deacon and member of the Pastor Search Transitional Team.
Brown and his wife, Ruth come to New Mount Zion from Ervay Cedar Baptist Church of Dallas; where he served as pastor for over 15 years.
Brown is a native of Ennis and has been married to his wife Ruth, for 31 years in which they have three adult children.
He received his doctorate of Theology from Andersonville Theological Seminary located in Camilla, Georgia and received a Bible College Diploma from Faith Bible Institute in May of 2008.
Brown follows the footsteps of the late Dr. R.E. Price who passed away a little over two years ago and will serve as the fifth pastor in the 68 year history of the church’s existence.
“Pastor Price was a mentor to me. Through his friendship, he introduced me to several of the members of the church. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would be continuing the legacy of such a great man,” Brown comments in a written statement to North Dallas Gazette.
According to city-data.com; Hamilton Park has a population of 9, 209 and with over 90,000 living in the Lake Highland area providing significant growth potential for the church. Dr. Brown hopes to grow the close to 2,500 current membership through implementing ministries that meet the needs of the people within the community.
Brown adds, “A good growth rate would be increasing the membership by 20 percent each year.”
“There will be significant growth especially in the spiritual and numerical area. God has given Dr. Brown a powerful and dynamic personality that will draw people in to hear his sermons…,” predicts Heath.
Brown will lead a full-time staff of nine as well as oversee a total of 13 ministries and 38 auxiliaries that range in Youth, Women, and Small Group Ministries.
“Implementing our Social Media Ministry will be key to reaching the younger generation. Through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social networks; we will engage them one click at a time,” Brown advises.
Heath expressed his confidence in Brown leading the next generation and witnessed first-hand his ability to reach the youth at the church’s Annual Back-to-School Youth Revival that Brown led every year in September.
” We are all very confident that Dr. Brown will mesh well with our youth. Dr. Brown has delivered sermons to our youth back-to-school revivals for at least the past 5 years. Each year they looked forward with great expectations to hearing him in the month of September,” adds Heath.
Pastors leading churches within the African American community understand the social issues and complexities facing many of its congregants and understand the important role the church plays in creating solutions for those social issues unique to the African American community.
“Dr. Price leaves a legacy of distinction. Not only was he a great Pastor, but he was also involved in the civic arena as well as the political arena,” shares Brown.
Brown wants to continue the legacy of civic and political involvement left by his predecessor, the late Dr. R.E. Price. He attended the Freedom Sunday Clergy Luncheon held on October 20; where pastors from all over the metroplex came together to strategize on effort s to educate and increase voter registration.
Brown sees improving voter participation as one of the many critical components to addressing social issues facing the community, but also shared his vision of having social service ministers within the church.
“It is my desire to help people have a better quality of life not only from a spiritual standpoint, but from a personal one as well.
Not only would I like to see improved voting participation but, social service ministers as well,” adds Brown regarding his vision on community outreach initiatives.
Serving as General Secretary of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America and holding other national offices within the Convention for over the past 20 years; Brown feels has helped to position him to be able to face the challenges that come with leading a church such as New Mount Zion.
“Organizing programs and overseeing presidential elections for our Convention has allowed me to meet people across the United States,” he adds.
“Dr. Brown, with his educational and business accomplishments, will move New Mount Zion to a somewhat brighter spot on the national scene. In my personal opinion, I believe that Dr. Brown’s leadership will only serve to expand the legacy that Pastor Price left. Both will ultimately be defined as great gospel preachers who loved the Lord God and doing his work,” adds Heath.
