Where Everybody Is Somebody on Chapel Drive
Mt. Zion Baptist Church sits on Chapel Drive in Triangle, Virginia, a short drive from Quantico in Prince William County. For decades it has been known across Northern Virginia by the slogan painted across its welcome materials - Where Everybody Is Somebody. Under the long pastorate of Rev. Dr. Alfred Jones, Jr., the congregation has grown from a small group of 35 members into a body of more than 2,000, drawing worshipers from Triangle, Woodbridge, Dumfries, Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County, the broader Washington, D.C. area, and well beyond. The motto is more than a catchphrase; it is the operating philosophy of a church that runs more than forty ministries out of a 75,000 square foot sanctuary and community facility.
A Pastor's Fifty-Year Journey from Ruther Glen to Triangle
Dr. Alfred Jones, Jr. was born in Ruther Glen, Virginia, the eldest of eleven children, and grew up attending the public schools of Caroline County. The son of the late Deaconess Isaline Jones and the late Deacon Alfred Jones, Sr., he accepted Christ early in life and joined Mount Oni Baptist Church. In 1963, at the start of a journey that has now stretched for more than fifty-five years, he was called to pastor Ephesus Baptist Church in West Point, Virginia. Four years later, in 1967, he moved to Third Mount Zion Baptist Church in Woodford, Virginia. Seven years after that, in 1974, the people of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Triangle invited him to be their shepherd, and he has been there ever since.
Under his leadership the church has grown from 35 members to more than 2,000, with a ministerial staff he often describes as "thirty sons and daughters." Out of that growth came five fundamental ministries - Evangelism, Focused and Inspired Arts, Christian Education, Discipleship Building, and Family Life Principles - and later thirty-seven subordinate ministries that animate the life of the church each week. The facilities now include a multi-million dollar, 75,000 square foot sanctuary and multi-purpose building that supports worship, education, fellowship, and community outreach.
Dr. Jones's training includes Washington Bible College, Washington Baptist Seminary, and Virginia Union University School of Theology. Triangle Bible Institute awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree. His denominational and civic affiliations include the Baptist General Convention of Virginia, the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., the Progressive National Baptist Convention, the Lott Cary Foreign Mission Convention, the Hampton University Ministers Conference, the Northern Virginia Clergy Ministers Conference, and the Northern Virginia Baptist Association, where he chairs the Evangelistic Committee and once served as First Vice Moderator. He is a past Co-President of the Eastern Prince William Ministerial Association and a former chaplain for Sentara Hospital in Woodbridge and for the Prince William County Police Department.
He and his wife, Deaconess Goldie Jones, live in Stafford, Virginia, and have six children. He often describes his calling this way: it is not enough to give charity, but rather one's duty to help build a society where charity will not be necessary - a society where no sick person goes unattended, where no one lacks adequate employment, and where good schools are provided for all. Preaching with what is described as a unique, uncompromising, bold, and practical approach to the Bible, he has spent a lifetime encouraging others to pursue a personal relationship with God, one person at a time.
Sunday Mornings: Worship, Sunday School, and the Children's Service
The Sunday rhythm at Mt. Zion begins at 8:45 a.m. with Sunday School, held for every age group in classrooms across the building. Teachers walk learners of all ages through the Scripture lesson of the week. For those who cannot attend in person, the church keeps the lesson accessible: lessons and videos can be requested by email for primary students at SundayS@mtzbaptist.org, and the adult class is available by Zoom (Meeting ID 374 960 383, Passcode 4b7PZe) or by audio conference at (605) 313-5111 with Access Code 505337.
At 9:00 a.m. a New Members' Orientation Class gathers newcomers into the life of the church. Then, at 9:50 a.m., the Worship Service and Children's Service begin at the same hour. The 9:50 worship hour is the main gathering of the week, featuring the Sanctuary Choir, the praise teams, the church's clergy, and preaching by Dr. Jones. On the second Sunday of each month the service takes on added meaning as Baptism and Communion Sunday, when new members are immersed and the congregation shares the Lord's Supper together.
A Week That Builds on Sunday
The life of the church extends well past Sunday morning. On Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m., the Youth Bible Study gathers teenagers for conversation and teaching. Tuesday is the busiest weeknight: at 7:00 p.m. the Prayer and Praise Service lifts voices and concerns before the Lord, and immediately afterward at 7:30 p.m. the Bible Study convenes, with the lesson carried live on YouTube for those who want to join from home. Thursday brings the noon-hour prayer meeting at 12:00 p.m., a brief but steady pause in the middle of the work week. Saturday mornings, the Food Pantry opens its doors at 9:00 a.m. to serve neighbors facing hard times.
The calendar fills around that skeleton. The Marriage Ministry meets once a month on a Sunday evening, the Women's Fellowship meets on a Wednesday evening, the Women's Day Choir rehearses in the weeks before the annual Women's Day, and the Men's and Women's choirs rehearse separately in the run-up to major services. Two flagship events shape the year: Annual Women's Day on a late-September Sunday and the Pastor and First Lady's Anniversary celebration, observed in October. Fall Revival, Homecoming Sunday, and the Wil Best Golf Tournament are other anchor gatherings that bring members and friends together across generations.
Six Families of Ministries
The ministries of Mt. Zion are organized into six families, each with a clear focus and named leaders.
Worship and Music. The musical life of the church is led by the Men's Choir under Deacon Ronnie Williams, the Women's Choir under Deacon Kenneth Lee, the Sanctuary Choir under Deacon Michael Smith, the Youth Choir under Deacon Avery Becton, the Praise Teams under Deacon Gavin Moore, and the Praise Dance Ministries under Deacon-in-Training Wathen Montgomery. Together they make the worship service a blend of traditional hymns and contemporary gospel, the choir carrying the weight of the Sunday hour while the praise team and dancers lead more energetic segments.
Service. The hands-on work of caring for the congregation and community runs through the Aides to the Pastor Ministry, led by Rev. Roxanne Austin; the Nurses Ministry under Deacon Daryl Robinson; the Hospitality Ministry under Deacon Jonathan Wilson; the Security Ministry under Deacon Stan Wooten; and the Bereavement Ministry, which walks families through loss.
Fellowship. Connection and encouragement are the focus here. The Women's Fellowship Ministry is led by Rev. Louella (Penny) Meachem, the Men's Fellowship Ministry by Deacon Charles Martin, the Senior Citizens Ministry by Deacon Moses Boulden and Deaconess Chris Boulden, and the Singles Ministry by Rev. Meachem as well.
Youth and Young Adult. The next generation is shepherded by Rev. Wendell Mickens, who oversees both the Young Adult Ministry and the Youth Ministry. The Young Brothers ministry is led by Deacon John Everette, the Young Girlz Ministry by Rev. Roxanne Austin, and the Junior Ushers Ministry by Rev. Jack Mangrum.
Administrative. The Trustee Ministry is chaired by Deacon Eugene Adams. The Financial Secretary is Sis. Tonya McCray, with Deaconess Betty Williams as Assistant Finance Secretary. Sis. Wanda Mickens serves as Church Clerk and Deaconess Sandra Randle as Assistant Church Clerk.
Specialized. Distinctive ministries include the Motorcycle Ministry (Deacon Vernon Michael and Deacon William Toodle), the Culinary Ministry (Deacon John Lewis and Deacon Bernard Hayes), the Wellness and Recovery Ministry (Rev. Emerson Scott and Rev. Cardius Robinson), and the Marriage Ministry (Rev. and Mrs. Terry Hogan).
What Mt. Zion Believes
The church's statement of faith centers on three doctrines that members describe as the heart and soul of the community. First is the Holy Trinity: God is three persons in one - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Second is Baptism, which the church practices by water immersion as a symbol of the literal physical and spiritual rebirth that marks the beginning of the Christian journey. Third is Salvation, the deliverance from sin that opens the way to one day joining God in heaven.
The mission of the church flows from those convictions: to equip Christians with the tools needed to evangelize, witness, and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, empowering believers through the Word of God to live holy, healthy, and spirit-filled lives to the glory of God. The work is described as family-centered and community-focused, dedicated to healing the hurting and providing relief to those who are suffering.
Worship That Blends Old and New
Worship at Mt. Zion is musical, expressive, and rooted in a long Baptist tradition while open to the newer sounds of contemporary gospel. The Sanctuary Choir anchors the service, supported by a Women's Choir, a Men's Choir, a Youth Choir, Praise Teams, and a Praise Dance ministry. Services are described as filled with vibrant music, powerful messages, and a warm atmosphere that encourages spiritual growth. The church livestreams every Sunday on its YouTube channel, Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Triangle, and broadcasts the Tuesday Bible Study there as well, so members and friends near and far can stay connected. The YouTube archives also carry recent sermons for anyone who wants to revisit a particular message.
Healing, Help, and the Food Pantry
Dr. Jones often reminds the congregation that the church exists not only to worship but also to serve. Out of that conviction came a Food Pantry that distributes groceries to neighbors in need, a clothing assistance program that provides garments to families, and financial support that walks alongside members through difficult seasons. These programs extend not only locally but into worldwide missions, in keeping with the pastor's vision of a church that builds a society where charity is no longer required.
The Bereavement Ministry walks families through funeral planning and the funeral day itself, and the church provides funeral services that are described as compassionate and personalized, with heartfelt ceremonies and personalized tributes that honor the unique life and faith of each person. Pastoral care for the hospitalized is woven through the Nurses Ministry, and prayer support is offered both through the noon-day prayer and through the broader Prayer and Praise gathering on Tuesday evenings.
Staying Connected
Beyond Sunday morning, members and friends stay in touch through several channels. The Weekly Bulletin carries announcements, prayer requests, and inspirational messages. Online giving is available through Givelify and E-Bill Express. Prayer requests can be submitted through the Request A Prayer form. The Facebook feed keeps the community connected between Sundays, and the YouTube channel carries both livestreams and an archive of recent messages.
The church office, reached at (703) 221-6960 or s.randle@mtzbaptist.org, sits at 18410 Chapel Drive in Triangle. Around the office and across the campus, pastoral and ministry staff include Deaconess Goldie Jones as First Lady; Rev. Jack Mangrum as Assistant to the Pastor; Rev. Wendell Mickens as Youth Minister; Deaconess Sandra D. Randle as Executive Assistant to the Pastor; Marcus Williams as Facility Manager; Deacon Dennis May as Chairman of the Deacons Ministry; Deacon Billie Keeler as Vice Chairman of the Deacons Ministry; Trustee Winston Beharrie as Chairman of the Trustee Ministry; Trustee Tyrone Brown as Vice Chairman of the Trustee Ministry; Sister Tonya McCray as Financial Secretary; and Adrienne Keeler as Receptionist.
For five decades the chorus of "Where Everybody Is Somebody" has summed up what Mt. Zion tries to be: a place where the person walking in alone on a Sunday morning finds a seat, a song, and a family.