On Anglewood Lane in Calera, Alabama, New Mt Moriah Missionary Baptist Church has built a rhythm around a single rallying cry: "Mt. Moriah is on the MOVE!" The congregation, served by a senior pastor and seven associate ministers, draws its neighbors in for two weekly gatherings and a wide menu of ministries organized under six themes: Witness, Worship & Arts, Warmth, Finance, Media, and Word.
Sunday Morning Worship at 10:30
Each Sunday at 10:30 am, the church gathers for Worship Service at 5798 Anglewood Lane. Music is led through the Worship & Arts ministry, which brings together a musical staff, praise dancers and mimes, and drama presentations at Easter and Christmas. Friends visiting recently described the room as "spirit filled" with "friendly people of God with open arms to new comers," and another shared that she was blessed by the opportunity to sing during a service. Worship services are livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook so members who cannot attend in person can follow along live or catch the recording later.
Wednesday Bible Study at 6:00 pm
Midweek teaching meets on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm under the same roof as Sunday worship. Each session is broadcast as well, with Bible study outlines and handouts prepared for those who want to follow along. The church also publishes written devotional guides under the title "GPS" for the season, with outlines titled for messages such as "What to do when your back is against the wall" and "Put a praise on it," an "Amazing Spiritual Leadership" five-week devotional, and a "Share Jesus Now" brochure for personal evangelism.
Pastor Mike and a Family of Ministers
Senior Pastor Michael Jones, known affectionately as "Pastor Mike," grew up in Montevallo within the Shelby County School System and raised in the home of a pastor. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Master's in Special Education from the University of Alabama, and both a Master's in Instructional Leadership and an Educational Specialist degree from the University of Montevallo. He continues to work in the central office of the Shelby County School System and serves on multiple community boards. His personal 3D ministry mission is to "develop individuals to fulfill their destiny, reach their dreams, and make a difference in the world by providing information, inspiration, and instruction." He and his wife, Lady Joyce Jones, are the parents of four children, the "4-Joys": MyShael, MyKairah, MyCaya, and Michael J.
Alongside Pastor Mike, seven associate ministers share in pastoral care and teaching: Christine Davis, James Garner, Linda Whisnat, Dr. Melvin Jones, Carol Nunn, Chris Jones, and Sallie Jones. A board of directors, deacons led by Chairman Calvin Morgan, deaconesses, trustees chaired by Richard Russell, and ministry presidents round out the leadership structure.
The MOVE: Mission, Vision, and Core Values
The church's stated mission is to "Make disciples that make a Difference" by Moving, Marking, and Maturing Believers, drawn from Matthew 28:16-20. Its vision is to be "a Game-changing Christian Movement that bridges gaps and is a beacon of grace," and its five core values spell out the work: Exalting the Savior, Explaining the Scriptures, Encouraging the Saved, Equipping the Saints, and Evangelizing the Sinner.
What the Church Believes
New Mt Moriah holds to a confessional Christian Baptist faith. The church teaches that the Holy Bible is the inspired, authoritative, error-free word of God and the foundation of the faith; that there is one true God, eternally Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that Jesus Christ pre-existed as God, was born of a virgin, lived sinlessly, died a voluntary atoning death, was raised, and now reigns at God's right hand while his Holy Spirit lives in believers. Justification is by faith in Christ, not by human works, and regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit in those who confess faith. The church holds that the church universal is a spiritual organism established by Christ to spread the gospel and serve others, that local churches are expressions of that body, and that baptism and the Lord's Supper are the two ordinances the church practices. The church also looks for the second coming of Christ as the "blessed hope" of believers.
Six Ministries That Carry the Work
Life at New Mt Moriah is organized into six ministry streams:
- Witness - mission outreach, intercessory prayer, and Do Something Saturday, led by Deacon Thomas Jackson Jr.
- Worship & Arts - music, praise dancers and mimes, drama, and the worship services themselves, led by Courtney Madison.
- Warmth - ushers, greeters, the Nurse's Guild, and Beautification, led by Sherry Williams.
- Finance - financial secretary, church accountant, and stewardship, led by Deacon Tyrone Packer.
- Media - daily devotionals, broadcast, and Bible study handouts, led by Tremeeka Hall.
- Word - Sunday School, youth ministry, children's church, small groups, women's ministry, and men's ministry, led by Rev. James Garner.
Small Groups for Every Stage
Word ministry oversees a slate of small groups that meet during the week. The Marriage Small Group is led by Marcus and Shun Jones. The Women's Group is coordinated by Minister Carol Nunn. "Finding Our Muchness: Inheriting Audacious Boldness from Women of the Bible," led by Tomeka Jones, is built for young adults and walks through Dr. Kim Maas's study. The Men's Group is led by Ike Peoples and Kevin Jones. A Book Club for women is led by Vivian Oliver.
Children, Youth, and Sunday School
Sunday School meets under Superintendent Cindy Stollewerck and feeds into the broader teaching of the Word ministry. Children's Church, youth ministry, and the Young Adult Ministry (led by Minister Chris Jones and Rebbie Jones) form the next generation of the congregation. A Golden Glories group serves older adults, and a Nurse's Guild offers care during worship.
Sermons, Broadcasts, and a Growing Archive
Sermons and Bible studies are recorded and posted online. The archive carries worship services and Wednesday Bible studies going back several years, and the library is sorted by preacher, series, topic, and book of the Bible. Series labels include "worship," "biblestudy," and topical runs such as "Generous Living" and "God Is." Live video is broadcast on YouTube and on the New Mt Moriah Facebook page.
Prayer and Pastoral Care
An Intercessory Prayer team, coordinated by Minister Linda Whisnat, lifts up requests from across the congregation. Anyone in any situation may send a prayer request, and the church invites visitors to ask for prayer. A "Decision to Accept Christ" guide walks new believers through what it means to follow Jesus and how to be in touch with a pastor.
Ways to Give
Gifts can be made electronically through Pushpay, by texting NEWMTMORIAH to 77977, by check or cash placed in the collection plate on Sunday, or by mail to P.O. Box 59, Calera, AL 35040.
Joining the Church
Those interested in formal membership follow a "Joining" path the church has laid out. Small groups and the Grow, Pray, Serve pathway invite newcomers to connect, grow, and serve in the life of the congregation. The church maintains a Community Resource Hub that points members to outside help, and a Jobs board shares employment opportunities in the area.
Finding the Church
New Mt Moriah Missionary Baptist Church meets at 5798 Anglewood Lane in Calera, Alabama. The phone line is 205.690.8533, a second line is 205.668.3053, and the mailbox is info@newmtmoriahmbc.org. Sunday worship begins at 10:30 am and Wednesday Bible study at 6:00 pm, with livestreams available on both YouTube and Facebook.