Who We Are
Our Pastor
Pastor James Palmer was Licensed to Preach by Tabernacle Baptist Church, Bluefield, Virginia in June, 1981 and was ordained by that church in February, 1982 to begin his service as Pastor of First Baptist Church, Pembroke, Virginia. He served there from 1982 – 1986.
In April, 1987 he began his service as Pastor of First Baptist Church, Northfork, West Virginia. He served as their Pastor for 14 years until September, 2001 when he began his service as our Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
Pastor Palmer was born in Mt. Vernon, New York. Though having lived in various large cities on the east and west coasts of the United States, he has made Bluefield, Virginia is home for many years.
Pastor Palmer attended his first year of college at Georgia State University and transferred to Bluefield State College at the beginning of his second year. He graduated from Bluefield State with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration with Specializations in Accounting and Computer Science. Pastor Palmer is also a graduate of Campbell University School of Law from which he received the degree of Juris Doctorate.
He is married to Stephanie Williams Palmer. They are the proud parents of three sons, Sgt. James J. Palmer IV, Jared Christopher Palmer, and Jason Charles Palmer.
Pastor Palmer is a diligent student of the scriptures and continually challenges himself and the congregation to achieve a broader and deeper understanding of its message and truths.
As a leader, Pastor Palmer believes that the church has a biblically clear identity – the present day manifestation of the living Christ, and a biblically clear mission – reaching the world’s lost and maturing the believers.
As a Preacher, Pastor Palmer continually proclaims God’s truth with simplicity and relevance. As a teacher, Pastor Palmer continually teaches God’s word with depth and clarity.
Pastor Palmer loves the Lord and loves and cares very deeply for the congregation, the effective work of the church, and the growth and development of its individual members.
Our Motto
Reaching Our World, One Family at a Time
We believe that the local church is well situated to impact for good the lives of those in its communities as well as the lives of families, friends and acquaintances of those comprising the local church. That sphere is “Our World” that we seek to reach with the good news of regeneration, redemption, reconciliation available for all.
Our Church Mission
The mission of Mt. Zion Baptist Church is the establishment and increase of a blessed fellowship of born again followers of Jesus Christ who: (1) meet faithfully for spiritually enriching worship of our sovereign, holy and eternal God of the Holy Bible (Hebrews 10:25); (2) proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ locally and support its world wide proclamation (Matthew 28:16-20); (3) teach His truths from His Holy Bible to all ages from birth through seniority for discipleship growth and empowerment (1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:14, Matthew 19:14); (4) seek application of His truths for our faithful Christian living and compassionate ministry to address the spiritual, social, and human condition of those within the local ministerial reach of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and to assume our role in world wide compassionate ministry for the relief of human suffering (Matthew 25:35-40); (5) foster wholesome, joyous and edifying Christian fellowship for all ages from birth through seniority (Romans 1:11-12); and (6) otherwise serve as a vibrant part of the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:27) and, accordingly, as His visible manifestation to the world in our living, our love, our outreach and our service.