I've been attending Zion Church since 2001. I was 19 at the time. I grew up, and accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, in a traditional Baptist church, so I am familiar to the rituals and formalities of "chuuch". In high school, church was definitely a formality. It was cool...okay I guess. But it wasn't too engaging *yawn*. Sunday School, however, was led by a man who was much more 'relevant' to young culture. He was able to hold our attention more and make the Bible interesting. This all took place while I was in high school; but when I graduated and left for college, I lost touch and, quite frankly, didn't really make an effort to reconnect.
Now in college, I was more focused on my social life, females, and getting acclimated to college life. Though I was saved, I was never really challenged to go deeper into my faith. Needless to say, I was one of those undercover Christians (heck, I thought being saved and a 'christian' were two different things). I hooked up with a collegemate who also went to my high school. He introduced me to one of his roommates. That roommate and I became pretty good friends. Being much more serious about his Faith, he eventually invited me out to his church (Zion). He told me that I didn't have to have 'church clothes' or bring anything else but myself.
I was amazed. I immediately noticed that praise and worship was sung to the awesome cadence of Go-Go music (a beloved genre native to the MD/DC/VA area), and the sermon was delivered in a humorous, engaging, yet powerfully effective way by Keith Battle. I had never experienced church in this way, a way that kept me engaged and hungry for more (more of not only what entertained me, but the message/sermon as well - FYI). I continued to attend, catching rides with friends and eventually began to drive myself once I gained access to the 'family van' (lol).
As the years went by, Zion began to grow and mature. Go-Go melodies, though still powerful and effective in ministry, began to evolve into impeccable renditions of Contemporary Christian Music (ie. Fred Hammond, Israel Newbreed, etc). More pastors and leaders began to emerge out of the congregation. The congregation itself began to grow. They didn't impose tithing and offering upon the congregation. Teens weren't turned away at the door for baggy jeans and wearing hats. More importantly, the message from the sermons remained practical, real-life, relevant, and MOST OF ALL...BIBLICAL! Unlike any other church experience in my life, I wasn't just attending church, I was GROWING in my faith and making change after change in my life.
'Attending church' evolved into 'Getting involved'. I began to actually serve because I wanted to...not just because of my birthday month or my age. I could invite peers to my church with confidence. The pastor was accessible and down-to-earth. The staff didn't sit 3 feet above us, facing us while wearing lofty gowns with gold-embroidered crosses and such. Instead, they were sitting and serving amongst us, talking with us, doing life with us. This was a church I could walk in and belong...not a place where I had to put on a front, suit and tie, speak Christianese, and flash a $$ in the offering plate just to look as holy.
Long story short, Zion Church, after 10 years, is still challenging me to grow and serve others in a world where the opposite is status quot. I strongly encourage those seeking a church that delivers BIBLICAL TRUTH (yes, we say "Jesus", "God", and read/reference God's Word regularly), challenges you to grow, and doesn't BORE you to death.
PS - Don't worry about having to wear church clothes and digging into your wallet when you visit. Just put on some jeans, a t-shirt (and shoes if you have them) and find a seat. read more
