top of page

We are a community of believers who desires to bring light to the community and beyond through discipleship, evangelism, and faithful service.

Pastor & Wife.jpg
Dr. Brian E. Kennedy
Senior Pastor

& Lady Hilda Kennedy

                                                                                            

 

                                                                        SENIOR PASTOR BRIAN KENNEDY

​

Pastor Brian Eric Kennedy has been the Senior Pastor at Mt. Zion Church of Ontario in California since 1998. Prior to Mt. Zion, Pastor Kennedy was on the management team of Prison Fellowship, as the Los Angeles Area Director for eleven years.

Pastor Kennedy also served as a Youth Pastor for 15 years in two local churches in Los Angeles (South Los Angeles Baptist Church, and Evening Star Missionary Baptist Church) before serving at Mt. Zion, and has thoroughly enjoyed full-time ministry since 1986.

Pastor Kennedy’s life before full-time ministry was a short-term career in the accounting field. Graduating from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting, Pastor Kennedy worked as an accounting clerk, a bookkeeper and a cost accountant in a manufacturing firm.

Having received a foundation of commitment to Christ, and hard work from childhood from his father and mother (Bradford and Evelyn Kennedy), and his church family in Sacramento, Calif. (St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church), Pastor Kennedy's life goal is to live out servant leadership among the Mt. Zion Church Congregation, and beyond, to the end that God is glorified in His Church by Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:20 -21).

 

Pastor Kennedy, was encouraged to attend seminary by Dr. S.M. Lockridge, (Calvary Baptist Church, San Diego, Calif.) and received a Master of Divinity Degree from Talbot School of Theology and with unwavering support from his wife Hilda, children, and the Mt. Zion Church family, received a Doctor of Ministry at Gateway Seminary.

Academic Degrees:

Bachelor of Science Degree, Business Administration, with emphasis in Accounting, San Diego      State University, San Diego, California, 1983.

Master of Divinity Degree, Bible Exposition, Talbot School of Theology, LA Mirada, California, 1993.

Doctor of Ministry Degree, Leadership, Gateway Seminary, Ontario, California, 2005.

 

 

Ministry Highlights:

  • Associate Professor of Preaching at Gateway Seminary, Ontario, CA

  • Author of Timeless Insights From the Book of Judges, How to Function in God's Eternal Plan in a Compromising Culture, Westbow Press, 2017.

  • Author of Let’s Stand Together and Pray, A collection of prayers to respond to God’s Word, Mt. Zion Church of Ontario Publication, 2014, 2015, 2016.

  • Contributing Author of Secret Sex Wars, A Battle Cry for Purity, published May 1 2008 by Lift Every Voice.

  • Host with Ontario Police Department of public forums with Federal, County, and Local Law Enforcement Officials to address Change from the Inside Out in Local Policing.

  • Former Board Member, The California Baptist Foundation.

  • R.I.P.A. (Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board) Board Member for the State of California.

  • Former CEEM (Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement) Board Member.

  • Member of the Racial Equality Task Force with California Senator, Connie Leyva.

  • Advisory Team for Upland Police Chief.

  • Author’s Group with the Superintendent of the Ontario-Montclair School District – 5 Year Action Plan for 2021-2026.

  • Chaplain, Ontario Fire Department.

  • Guest lecturer for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Officer Training Academy.

  • Guest lectured for the Ontario Police Department Sensitivity Training Course.

  • Guest lectured for the Los Angeles Bible Training School.

  • Guest lectured as a community leader at California Baptist University, Introduction to Ministry Class.

  • Guest lectured for area-wide Sunday School conference for Pastor’s development class.

  • Workshop Leader, California State Baptist Convention.

  • Guest speaker for local churches, marriage and men’s conferences.

  • Strategic planning facilitator for struggling local churches.

  • Missionary to Africa, St. Vincent, WI, and Tchula Mississippi.

  • Led historic Mt. Zion Church of Ontario through several potential church splitting transitions, through the COVID-19 pandemic, and to paying-off a $2.4-million-dollar land loan.

  • Enjoys mentoring six Senior Pastors.

  • Advocate for spiritual formation in the local church.

 

Pastor Kennedy enjoys cycling, walking with wife, and spending time with family and friends around delicious food.  He is married to the former Hilda Barnes and they have four children: Brian Jr., Evelyn, Lelia and Joshua.

 

5DM32868.JPG

Executive 

Pastor

Richard Young


​

EXECUTIVE PASTOR RICHARD YOUNG

​

Pastor Richard Young has been a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Ontario CA. for forty-one years and is currently the Executive (Assistant) Pastor for the last twenty years.  Prior to serving as the Executive Pastor, Pastor Young served at Mt. Zion Church of Ontario in the capacity of Elder and Minister of Education.

​

Pastor Young received his Minister’s license in 1998 and was ordained under the leadership of Pastor Brian Kennedy in 2001. In the position of Executive Pastor, Young oversees the various ministries within the church along with Bible Study and Small Groups. With his passion to win souls for Christ, Young is strategic in teaching members to evangelize and the importance of sharing one’s faith on a continuous basis. 

​

Pastor Young has served with the Southern Baptist Association on their A.S.S.I.S.T Team, and currently certified as a Coach with the North American Mission Board (NAMB) which is also a part of the Southern Baptist Association. 

​

Pastor Young graduated from Los Angeles Bible Training School of Los Angeles Ca. and is currently attending Gateway Seminary of Ontario (formally Golden Gate Mill Valley San Francisco Bay Area) to complete his Master of Divinity Degree. Pastor Young has been married to his wife for forty years.

​

Pastor Young’s life’s scripture is, I Corinthians 15:58: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 

THE FUTURE HOME OF MT. ZION 
ministry highlight1922-2012.jpg
1922-2012
Ministry Highlights
ministry highlight 2015.jpg
2013-2015
Ministry Highlights
ministry highlight 2017.jpg
2016-2017
Ministry Highlights
LEADPASTORS.jpg

Pastor Brian Wallace

& Pastor Al Percy Bennett


SATURDAY SERVICE 
LEAD PASTORS
ministry highlight 2019.jpeg
2019
Ministry Highlights
IMG_2469.JPG
2020
Ministry Highlights
2021 cover graphic.jpg
2021
Ministry Highlights

224 W. California Ave, Ontario, California 91762
909-983-2411

5DM32912.JPG

PASTOR BRIAN E. KENNEDY, SR.

Senior Pastor

EXT. 104

5DM32895.JPG

JERRY BROWNING

Church Administrator

EXT. 108

johnell w.jpeg

JOHNNELL WILLIAMS

Youth Director

EXT. 113

5DM32878.JPG

MARSHA HAYES

Seniors Director

EXT. 124

cynthia%20beatty_edited.jpg

CYNTHIA BEATTY

Pastor's Admin Assistant

EXT. 104

sharon bailey.jpeg

SHARON BAILEY

Ministry Services

EXT. 105

5DM32868.JPG

RICHARD YOUNG

Executive Pastor

EXT. 114

5DM32907.JPG

YVONNE OKONJI

Children's Director

EXT. 115

5DM32877.JPG

Rochelle Young

Administration

EXT. 111

5DM32865.JPG

MARTY LEACH

Sunday School Consultant

EXT. 103

5DM32885.JPG

CARLA EVANS

Admin Assistant

EXT. 102

bottom of page