Reverend Doctor Philip Karl James -
Pastor, Teacher
pastorjames@mzbchurch.org

 
The Reverend Doctor Philip Karl James, the son of a Gospel Preacher, was born and reared in Jamaica, New York.  He is one of eight children.  He is married to the former Jameel Marketta Kee (an Evangelist) of Columbus, Ohio.  He and Jameel have been blessed with a beautiful daughter, Joyreece and a handsome son, Joseph.  See photo of Pastor James and family below.

Minister LeWana Britt
- Youth Minister

Reverend Michele Brown
- Senior Saints and Wellness Ministry

M. Div. - Christian Theological Seminary

Reverend Sondra Gentry                                                     
Associate Minister   

Executive Director of Mount Zion Daycare Center and Doctoral student at Christian Theological Seminary 

Minister Douglas Hairston
- Assistant to the Pastor
Doug.Hairston@prodigy.net

Minister Doug Hairston and his family (wife, Jocelyn and children, Yara and Nile) are active members of Mount Zion Baptist Church. Since being licensed in July 1999, he has focused his ministry on "Building Bridges In and To Our Community."

He is currently Director of the Front Porch Alliance for the City of Indianapolis.  Minister Hairston also is active in many community organizations: Marion Country Commission on Youth - Board of Directors; Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition - Active Partner: Peace Makers of Indianapolis - Lead Facilitator. He has also led the men of Mt. Zion into the neighborhoods for Street Outreach.

Reverend Emmett Jones
- Minister of Visitation

"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of, for necessity is laid upon me; yea woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"   I Corinthians 9:16 KJV

A native of Batesville, Mississippi, Rev. Jones worked for Eli Lilly & Co, for twenty-eight years.  In 1982, Rev. Jones accepted the call to preach the Gospel and was licensed by the late Rev. Dr. R.T. Andrews. As a retiree, Rev. Jones continues to preach the good news; he has rededicated himself to the expansion of God's kingdom on earth by ministering to the sick and shut-in of our community.  Rev. Jones and wife Ruthanne have three adult children and two grandchildren.

Minister Patricia Miller
- Associate Minister, Sunday School Superintendent

Elementary teacher in the Indianapolis Public Schools

Joyce E. Johnson

Coordinator and Teacher for Discipleship Ministry, Children's Church, Children's Moments, and the Biblical Storytelling Team

Sister Johnson is a retired elementary school teacher. She holds a Master's Degree in Christian Education from Christian Theological Seminary (Indianapolis). She is also a Master Certified Biblical Storyteller and workshop presenter, active with the Network of Biblical Storytellers, International.

Minister Geoffrey L. Kelsaw
- Minister of Worship and Creative Arts
gkelsaw@mzbchurch.org

A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Kelsaw has taught in the Music Departments of Purdue University, Taylor University and Christian Theological Seminary with a focus on Gospel Music.  The Music Department of Pilgrim Baptist Church (Fort Wayne) performed with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra four times under his leadership as Music Director. His other involvements have included: directing a community choir that participated in concert with Larnelle Harris, providing private instrumental and vocal lessons, conducting subject lectures for Church Music Workshops/Conventions and orchestrating score notation for all choral and instrument arrangements.

Minister Kelsaw is a licensed preacher and full time Minister of Music at Mount Zion. He is the Choral Director of the Gospel Choir at University of Indianapolis and teaches a music class at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. He and his wife Juanita have one daughter, Charisma.

William F. Sims
- Director of Education and Christian Formation 
wsims@mzbchurch.org

A member since 1965, Brother Sims has served on the church staff since 1974.  He was served as the Director of Church Training, Camp Director and Youth Director.  Since 1995, he has served as Minister/Director of Christian Education.  As Director of Christian Education, Brother Sims provides leadership in planning, evaluating and supervising all aspects of educational ministry at Mount Zion.

He graduated from American Baptist College with a degree in Christian Education. He is retired from the Indianapolis Public Schools, having been a teacher, program specialist and administrator.