About mt.zion Church
WHy are we here?
Our purpose is to see Christ formed in each person, in our church, and in our community
what does that mean?
We equip believers to Grow in their faith, Gather in fellowship, and Go make disciples.
HOW DO WE DO that?
We Discover, Disciple, Develop, and Deploy individuals in Harford County and Beyond.
BELIEFS
JESUS CHRIST
One God; Three Persons We believe there is one true and living God, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things; one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19 Fully God; Fully Man We believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father, truly God and truly man, born of the virgin Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit. He suffered, was crucified, dead and buried as an atoning sacrifice for the sin of humankind. He rose from the dead, ascended to the right hand of the Father, intercedes for us, and shall return in power and triumph. John 1:1; Colossians 2:9; Philippians 2:5-6 Christ as Righteous Judge We believe all persons stand under the righteous judgment of Jesus Christ, both now and in the last day. We believe in the resurrection of the dead; the just to life eternal and the unjust to everlasting punishment. Acts 17:3; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12
THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Person of the Holy Spirit We believe in the Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father, of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God. John 14:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Romans 8:26-27 Sanctification We believe that "faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead"; that, in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, faith working through love is the goal and aim of every child of God. James 2:17; Galatians 5:6; Ephesians 2:10
SIN & SALVATION
God’s Creation; Man’s Corruption We believe that all human beings have been created in the image of God as either male or female, but our nature has been corrupted by sin so that we are very far gone from original righteousness, and of our own nature inclined to evil, and that continually. Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Romans 3:23; Romans 7:18-19; Ephesians 2:3; Ephesians 5:31 God’s Redemptive Plan We believe that we are saved from the wrath of God due our sin by the grace of God and not by any merit of our own. He sought us when we did not seek Him (Prevenient Grace). He reconciled us to Himself by the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Justifying Grace). He sanctifies us by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit (Sanctifying Grace). All who repent of sin and put faith in Jesus Christ shall be saved, born anew by the Spirit of God. Genesis 3;15; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:8; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:2 Holy Scriptures We believe the Scripture of the Old and New Testaments to contain all things necessary to salvation; to be infallible and inerrant; received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for belief and practice. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21
THE KINGDOM
OF GOD
We believe the Church is the Body of Christ, the community of all true believers under the Lordship of Jesus Christ where the Word of God is preached and the sacraments of Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and marriage, between one man and one woman, are administered. All believers are baptized into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, and thus, having become members one of another, are responsible to keep the unity of Spirit in the bond of peace. The Church exists for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers, and the redemption of the world. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Ephesians 4:4-6, Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Corinthians 10:17, 1 Peter 2:9
Our Pastor
Devin Peterson
Devin Peterson serves as the Senior Pastor of Mt. Zion Church in Bel Air, Maryland, where he leads with a deep love for people and a steady commitment to spiritual formation, grace-centered discipleship, and gospel-rooted community.
Devin is a pastor, teacher, and writer who is drawn to the quiet, transformative work of God in everyday life. He believes real change doesn’t come through striving or performance, but through the patient shaping of grace—where theology becomes lived story and faith is practiced with depth, presence, and honesty.
Before serving at Mt. Zion, Devin’s calling was shaped through years of ministry experience and theological study. He brings pastoral wisdom and creative imagination to his teaching, inviting others to notice the sacred woven into ordinary moments and to live with wholeness, attentiveness, and trust in God’s presence.
Devin shares life and ministry with his wife, Ashley, and their sons, Grayson, Lincoln, and Madden. Family life grounds his vision for discipleship, reminding him that faith is first formed at home—around tables, in conversations, through rhythms of love, repentance, and grace.
Under Devin’s leadership, Mt. Zion Church seeks to be a community where Christ is formed in people, belonging is genuinely experienced, and disciples are equipped to live out their faith in everyday life—at home, in relationships, and in the world.
Our team
Mark Johnson
Director of Ministries
Andy McMullin
Director of Community Engagement
Amanda Davis
Director of Operations
David Bennett
Director of Outreach
Steve Presser
Discipleship Coordinator
Belinda Kopp
Executive Assistant to the Pastor
Brian Peters
Director of Facility Care
Mark Rowlins
Celebrate Recovery Coordinator
Cindy Stone
Office Administrator
Makena Bemb
Youth Coordinator
Jessica Stephens
Early Education Lead
At Mt. Zion Church, leadership is shared among a dedicated group of staff and volunteer leaders who serve together to care for the church and advance God’s work. We believe leadership is not about control or position, but about equipping the saints for the work of the ministry, so that the whole body may grow together in unity and maturity, measured by the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:12–13).
Our leadership includes individuals who serve on the Church Leadership Committee, Church Council, and in various ministry leadership roles throughout the life of the church. Each leader brings unique gifts, wisdom, and experience, working collaboratively to provide spiritual guidance, organizational oversight, and faithful stewardship.
Together, our leaders seek to discern God’s direction, support the mission of the church, and create environments where people can grow in faith, belong in community, and live out their calling. Leadership at Mt. Zion is marked by humility, accountability, prayerful discernment, and a shared commitment to see Christ formed in each person, in our church, and in our community.
Church Council Chairman Leadership Commitee
Church Council Vice-Chairman Leadership Committee Mission Board Chairman
Church Council Treasurer Finance Committee Chairman
Church Council Secretary
Church Council HR Liason
Church Council Stewardship Lead Finance Committee
Church Council
Leadership Committee
Our History
Origins and early years
(1868 - 1923)
Mt. Zion Church began its journey in 1868, serving as a beacon of faith and community. It is believed that prior to 1870, the congregation met in a simple log structure, possibly an old schoolhouse. From 1870 to 1923, the church gathered in a yellow clapboard building with a distinctive slate walkway.
New building and bell tower (1923 - 1976)
In 1922, under Rev. Charles Biggs, a new building with a bell tower was built and served the congregation until 1976. Under Rev. Eldon Watts, the building was demolished, and by 1977, the current Education Building and new bell tower were completed.
THE STONE SANCTUARY
(1959 - Present)
In 1959, under Rev. I.D. Rhoads, the current stone sanctuary (up the hill) was connected to the building and old bell tower. Dr. J. Milton Rogers was the speaker at the consecration services. It was said that the audience “overflowed the church”.
Growth and Ministry Impact (1977–2011)
Between 1997 and 1998, under Rev. Craig McLaughlin, the stone sanctuary was enhanced with the addition of an elevator, balcony, and expanded narthex. Between 1999 and 2000, the church expanded with the addition of a back wing and a third floor. In 2004 and 2005, the Worship Center (tent) was added and remains in use today. The Youth Tent, now known as the Family Center, was introduced in 2011 and continues to serve the next generation.
“Growing deeper in the Word, pouring out our hearts in prayer, putting our Faith into action”
Pastor Craig McLaughlin (1985-2023)
served as senior pastor for 38 years, leading the church through a season of extraordinary spiritual and numerical growth. His heart for missions and outreach shaped the church’s legacy. Under his leadership, the church launched Children of Zion Village, an orphanage in Namibia, Africa, and established Beyond Capernaum, the largest special needs ministry in Maryland. These are just a few of the many ministries and initiatives that began under his guidance, expanding the church’s impact locally and globally for the glory of God.
Pastor Devin Peterson
(2024-Present)
In early 2024, Rev. Devin Peterson began as pastor, leading the congregation into a new season as a non-denominational church. Under Pastor Devin’s leadership, Mt. Zion Church continues to embrace its core calling: “Come as you are, and be transformed.” With a renewed focus on discipleship, the church is committed to helping people Grow in their faith, Gather in Christian community, and Go to make disciples. Guided by this mission, Mt. Zion seeks to reach the restless and weary, disciple the body of Christ, cultivate spiritual gifts and callings, and deploy those called to ministry and mission—both in Harford County and beyond.
