On the east side of Indianapolis, tucked along East 46th Street, Zion Hope Baptist Church has been a steady spiritual anchor for more than seven decades. Organized in 1953 and now led by Pastor Tony McGee, the congregation describes itself as a place where "souls are saved, lives are changed, relationships are restored, and God gets the glory." Its long history, sprawling ministry network, and deep investment in the surrounding neighborhood give the church a particular character: a family that has grown up with the city.
Advancing the Kingdom Through Love, Growth, and Service
Zion Hope's mission is short and direct: to advance the Kingdom of God through effective evangelism, discipleship, and service, drawn from the Great Commission in Matthew 28: 19-20. The vision unfolds in three words - Love, Grow, and Serve. Love reflects the church's commitment to mirror the disciple-making love of Jesus (John 13:35). Grow speaks to the expectation that believers mature in their walk with Christ and in relationship with one another (Colossians 3:16). Serve captures the call laid out in 1 Peter 4:10-11, that every member of the body uses their gifts to bless the congregation, the community, and the world.
That three-fold rhythm shows up everywhere in the life of Zion Hope. The congregation embraces technology and social media, runs more than twenty distinct ministries, and partners with schools and community organizations across the city. A simple acronym captures the heart of the place: HOPE stands for God's Hands On People Everywhere.
From Arsenal Avenue to East 46th Street
Zion Hope Baptist Church was organized on July 24, 1953, under the leadership of its founding pastor, Rev. Roosevelt Mumford, and moderator Rev. E.T. Johnson Sr. The doors first opened on June 26, 1953, in a rented house at 1803 N. Arsenal Avenue, initially at thirty dollars a month. The first members included Sis. Eleanor Mumford, Sis. Sarah Mumford, Bro. Roosevelt Mumford Jr., Bro. John Scott, Bro. Walter Scott, Sis. Beatrice Hill, Bro. and Sis. Mallory, Sis. Mildred Clark, Deacon and Sis. West, and Sis. Mary Mumford. By September 1956 the property had been paid for in full.
After Rev. Mumford went to be with the Lord on Christmas Day 1963, the congregation called Rev. Percy C. Owens in August 1964. Under his leadership, a new building at 2301 N. Arsenal was dedicated on January 22, 1967. In January 1972, Rev. Dr. James S. Wells became pastor. During his tenure the church burned the existing mortgage, and, with membership climbing, the search began for a larger home. In 1979 Zion Hope purchased its current facility at 5950 E. 46th Street. Dr. Wells also launched Zion Hope Christian School in 1983 and the Baptist Bible College, which later became Crossroads Bible College. He passed away on September 10, 1987.
His son, Rev. Brian J. Wells, was called as pastor in September 1987. The Dr. James S. Wells Memorial Library was dedicated in 1993, and Zion Hope Christian School became widely recognized as one of the finest of its kind in Indianapolis. Pastor Wells resigned in August 2000. Rev. David A. Hampton followed in September 2002, preaching and teaching with a vision of being "spiritual, not religious" and seeing membership grow before he resigned in November 2007 to take a pastorate in Brooklyn, New York.
On June 7, 2009, the church called Rev. John Anthony McGee Jr. - known affectionately as "Pastor T" - as Senior Pastor Elect, and he officially assumed the pastorate on August 2, 2009. Under his leadership Zion Hope has modernized its facilities, expanded its ministries, embraced technology and social media, and paid off $225,000 in mortgage debt through the Rays in Hope Debt Reduction Initiative in 2017. The church has continued to grow through renovations, enhanced worship, and the development of ministries designed to serve members and guests.
Worship, Bible Study, and the Hope Cafe
Sunday morning at Zion Hope begins with Sunday School from 9:30 to 10:30 AM in the Hope Cafe, where classes gather for study and conversation across every age group. The main worship service follows at 11:00 AM and is offered both in person and online through YouTube Live and Facebook Live, so members near and far can join in. A spirit-filled blend of songs, prayer, preaching, and praise carries through the gathering, with the Music Ministry focused on leading hearts into worship rather than performance.
Midweek, the church offers two ways to engage the Scriptures. Bible Study meets in person at 12:00 PM on Wednesdays, and a virtual option follows at 7:00 PM the same evening. Whether at noon in the building or from home after work, the goal is the same: open the Word, dig in together, and grow.
What We Believe
Zion Hope's doctrinal statement is rooted in historic evangelical Christian convictions. The church holds that the Old and New Testaments are the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God, the final authority on all matters of faith, practice, and life. There is one God, eternally existing in three co-equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The church teaches that Jesus Christ is both true God and true man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, who lived a sinless life, died on a Roman cross to atone for sin, rose again on the third day, ascended to the Father's right hand, and will return bodily and visibly to consummate history. The Holy Spirit baptizes, indwells, and seals every believer, and the filling of the Spirit is the only work of the Spirit that can be repeated in a believer's life.
Humanity, created in God's image, fell into sin and stands in need of a Savior. Salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ, and cannot be lost once secured. Two ordinances are observed until Christ's return: water baptism as a symbolic reenactment of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and the Lord's Supper as a memorial of his sacrifice. Neither is necessary for salvation.
Ministries for Every Stage of Life
More than twenty ministries flow out of the Zion Hope family, and the range reflects the congregation's sense that every believer has a place to serve. The Greeters Ministry welcomes every person who walks through the door, while the Connection Point Ministry helps new members and visitors get rooted in the life of the church. The Deacons Ministry, Music Ministry, Audio Ministry, and Ushers Ministry - organized for seniors, young adults, and youth - hold the weekly gathering together in prayer, order, and sound.
For families, the Nursery Ministry cares for the youngest children, and Sunday School gathers every age. The Youth and Young Adult Ministry (YAYA) engages the next generation. Singles, married couples, and college students each have a dedicated ministry designed for their stage of life. Men of Valor disciples men through brotherhood, accountability, and service, while the Marriage Ministry supports couples through fellowship, retreats, and encouragement.
Behind the scenes, the Bread of Life Ministry cares for the church and community through food, hospitality, and compassionate care, especially in times of bereavement. The Missionary Ministry spreads the Gospel through food distribution, social service support, evangelism, and community service. The Power In Prayer Ministry intercedes for individuals, families, and the surrounding community. Other ministries - Health and Wellness, Fine Arts, Social Media, Stitches of Praise, Finance, and Shepherd's Care - round out a network designed so that every member can find a place to grow and serve.
Pastor Tony McGee
Rev. John Anthony McGee Jr. is a native of Terre Haute, Indiana, and the son of Deacon John A. McGee Sr. and Dorothy McGee. He accepted Christ at the age of twelve at Second Missionary Baptist Church under Rev. Dr. Cleytus Malone, where he was active in youth ministry, Sunday school, and Baptist Training Union Vacation Bible School.
A standout basketball player, Pastor McGee graduated from Terre Haute North High School in 1992 as an honorable mention All-American AAU player and an Indiana Top 40 prospect. He attended Indiana State University on a basketball scholarship before a cardiomyopathy diagnosis ended his playing career. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies in 1996 and later a Master's in Management from ISU. Before entering ministry, he served as Youth Programs Coordinator for Indiana Black Expo and as Director of Programs for the Charles T. Hyte Community Center in Terre Haute, where he developed educational and recreational programs for inner city youth.
Pastor McGee acknowledged his call to ministry in 2000 at Bethany Missionary Baptist Church under Rev. Dr. T.L. Hines Jr., was licensed in 2001, and was ordained in 2004. He later served at Eastern Star Church under Jeffrey A. Johnson Sr. before being called to Zion Hope in 2009. He has studied at Cross Roads Bible College and Trinity Seminary, and his professional background includes senior leadership roles with Indiana Black Expo, HealthNet, Inc., the Circle City Classic, the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, and the United Way of Central Indiana. He and his wife, Lady Kim Bates McGee, are the parents of Kimara, Kaden, and Joshua.
Pastor McGee is supported by Associate Pastors Charlie Haniton, Filmore Artis, and George Macon, along with Ministers Jason Harris and Lewis Smith Sr. The Executive Administrator is Jenee' Green.
Reaching Beyond the Walls
Zion Hope's impact extends well beyond its building on East 46th Street. The church runs food distribution programs, supports addiction recovery partnerships, and leads mission trips locally and beyond. It collaborates with schools and community organizations, invests in youth and family support programs, and welcomes the broader community into its events and ministries. Through these efforts, thousands of individuals and families have been served spiritually and practically, and many have come to know Christ.
A Covenant People
At the heart of Zion Hope's identity is a Church Covenant that members affirm together. They pledge to walk in Christian love, to sustain the worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrine of the church, to give cheerfully and regularly, to maintain family and private devotion, to study the Word diligently, to religiously educate their children, to seek the salvation of their friends and family, and to watch over one another with the tenderness of brothers and sisters in Christ. The covenant closes with a simple commitment: wherever life takes them, members promise to carry its spirit into another body of believers.
It is a fitting expression for a church that has carried the same spirit through seven decades, three Indianapolis neighborhoods, and the daily lives of the people who call Zion Hope home.