Zion Church Magazine: Renewed - 2022 Year In Review

REVIEW, REWRITE AND RELAX

HELLO ZION FAMILY!

When our granddaughter was a small child she struggled with pronouncing words properly as all little children do. If we were taking her somewhere fun she would say “I’m so excited”instead of “I’m so excited”. Even though her grammar was imperfect, her joy was palpable when she expressed how she felt about her future. We feel like our granddaughter today as we think about all that the Lord has done, is doing and will continue to do in the lives of our Zion family. Just like our granddaughter, our joy is palpable when we think of Zion’s future.

WE ARE SO EXCITED!

In the midst of this exciting time in the life of our church we want to encourage you to continue in three disciplines that you probably have already begun this year.

Review the experiences of your life over the past year and identify the specific and intentional goodness of God in each circumstance. Review each and every instance where God has intervened on your behalf and view those circumstances through the lens of the providential and sovereign goodness of God. As we do this, we will be blessed with a perspective that is truly brightened by the grace of God. Even if our circumstances were painful and challenging, our view of them can become blessed when we review those very circumstances with the knowledge that His love for us has prevailed.

Rewrite all of the dreams and hopes that the Lord has blessed you to be excited about. In the “It Is Written” series, we learned the value of writing the visions or hopes that the Lord has given us. We pray that we are all so inspired by our future and potential that it will not only be written, but rewritten. As we rewrite our hopes we can also revise them according to what God is doing in our lives in real time. We can edit our dreams to remain in alignment with who God has called us to be in every season of our lives. What is written at the age of 30 may need to be rewritten at the age of 50. We may possess the same dream but our path to achieving it may be different. Let’s rewrite the vision.

Relax in the knowledge that our Lord knows the beginning, the end and everything in between. Let’s do what God has called and enabled us to do, and then relax. His loving intentions towards us will come to pass.

“Stop striving (let go, relax) and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.”

– Psalm 46:10 NASB

REVAMPED Mii,SameVisi

EXPERIENCE GOD

ENGAGE

IN CONNECTIONS

EQUIPPING THROUGH TRAINING EMPOWERED TO SERVE

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

CHECK OUT THE EASTER 2022 MESSAGE: THE BLUEPRINT FROM SENIOR PASTOR KEITH BATTLE

THANK YOU GOD 2022!

The Zion Church family is extremely thankful to be able to serve and GROW in the Lord’s name. Last year was blessed indeed, with our physical campuses opening back up for in-person services after more than two years of being closed due to a global pandemic. Zion Church grew tremendously, with many new individuals and families choosing us as their church home when services were being streamed online.

Last year also brought about a shift in our global mission, to better describe the divine vision of our Senior Pastor Keith Battle. “Experiencing God” will always be the first step, but moving from “Engaging in Community” to our new focus on “Engaging in Connections” promotes the importance of the Zion Church family building lasting relationships with our fellow churchgoers. Additionally, Senior Pastor Keith Battle saw fit to make our third “E” stand for “Equipping Through , which allows us to have more wholistic educational programming that helps us be better

equipped in many areas of our lives.

With this updated mission of Zion Church, we pray that Empowered to Serve, God’s way, and are excited to implement these new mission-based themes in all we do in 2023 and beyond!

all of those who we touch are

REOPENED Camp Locatis

TO FULLY EXPERIENCE GOD & ENGAGE IN CONNECTIONS, IN-PERSON AND ONLINE

We are thankful for seeing exponential growth during a time where many religious organizations saw decline. Our pastors, staff members and volunteers worked diligently to ensure our campus locations and outside events were safe and compliant for those desiring to get back to worshiping in-person. And our Zion Anywhere team, including pastors, on-air talent and production teams continued to bring excellence to our online experience, which kept Zion Church accessible to thousands each week, across the globe.

ZION CHURCH CELEBRATED IT’S 22 ND ANNIVERSARY ON SUNDAY, JULY 3, 2022

REPLENISHED Through Chri

BAPTISM

What a joy it was to be able to commence with in-person baptism and communion, two hallmarks of the Christian worship experience. With pandemic restrictions lifting, Zion Church locations enacted well-thought out plans that allowed us to get back to baptizing and communion with our members.

Through baptism, believers had the opportunity to confess before others that Jesus is Lord and Savior.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – Matthew 28:19 NIVV

COMMUNION

Communion is an important time of reflection, honoring the life and sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We commit to this ritual at all Zion campus locations, as well as online, encouraging those tuning in virtually to prepare their elements at home.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

BABY DEDICATIONS

Throughout the course of the year Zion hosted several baby dedications to allow parents to offer their children to God and receive His blessings, covering and guidance as they seek to raise them in God’s will.

Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.

– Proverbs 22:6 nab

31 CHILDREN DEDICATED

REVERED Leadership

ZION CHURCH LEADERSHIP

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. – Proverbs 16:9 ESV

ZION GLOBAL LEADERSHIP

ZION CAMPUS PASTORS

2022 GLOBAL COMMISSIONING SERVICE

Zion Church hosted its first-ever Global Commissioning Service in September, where we celebrated the Lord’s work in the lives of the leaders serving in our church. This formal commissioning service was led by a powerful message from Senior Pastor Keith Battle that left all in attendance feeling fueled in their new roles within Zion.

ZION DEACONS

Deacons play a major role in the life of Zion Church, and in 2022, we trained and ordinated 53 new men and women into our ministry as Deacons. Zion’s Deacon Board currently consists of 91 people who are responsible for a variety of tasks that include, but are not limited to supporting Baptism, giving Communion, praying for members and attenders, and meeting the needs of the church, and our Pastors.

2022 SERMON SERIES

Senior Pastor Keith Battle and each of our campus pastors shared timely and thought-provoking weekly sermons that educated, uplifted and inspired us to continue growing our relationship with Christ. Here are a few...

Whether online or in-person, our group of talented We Are Zion Music singers and musicians continued to play an intricate part in the Zion Church worship experience. The group of 120 dedicated nearly 417 hours preparing for the more than 75 performances they gave throughout 2022, which includes singing live on the Universoul Circus stage, during Zion Church events like the Xtreme Kidz Gala and our Red Lip Diary Brunch, as well as providing backup vocals for national recording artists Todd Galberth and Kevin Ross at the annual Miracle on Z Street holiday extravaganza.

We Are Zion Music also celebrated the life of their beloved Director Charles Brown by dedicating the Brown Room in his honor inside the Greenbelt campus.

The Brown Room will not only be utilized as a rehearsal space for We Are Zion Music and guest artists, but also as a space for aspiring talent to learn and grow in their gifts for years to come. Thank YOU for your love and support while honoring the life and legacy of Bro. Charles, one of the best to ever do it!

RECONNECTED In Feowship

Bringing families back to Zion Church was a momentous occasion! All of our familybased ministries created engaging and empowering experiences for families, couples, and young people all year long!

FAMILY MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

37 Couples completed the “Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts” (SYMBIS) Premarital Counseling 31 Babies dedicated to Christ • Relaunched The Village Group Chat podcast, providing hope, encouragement and practical tips to help you navigate your family’s journey 480 people attended our free screening of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

The Xtreme Kidz team kept things exciting and educational for our youth! With expertly managed and lovingly cared for locations at all of our Zion Church campuses, Xtreme Kidz continues to be a huge draw for parents who can trust that their children are in great hands while they take in Sunday service. The 2022 Xtreme Kidz reach far exceeded the year before, with an average of 200+ children attending in-person and close to 70 children participating via the online component each and every Sunday.

XTREME KIDZ HIGHLIGHTS

The OffScript Youth Ministry was surely a safe haven for our middle and high school-aged participants. Being able to worship in-person with our teens was important for morale, and OffScript leadership, staff and volunteers were happy to be back in 2022!

OffScript stays connected with what’s happening in the lives of our youth by creating engaging and Christ-centered activities and content that not only brings teens in, but also makes them want to bring their friends and participate as often as possible!

OFFSCRIPT HIGHLIGHTS

ZION LIFE GROUPS

LIFE IS BETTER CONNECTED

Life Groups are an intricate part of Zion Church, and have provided thousands of men and women with true connections that last lifetime, and most importantly, bring people closer to God’s loving plans for their lives.

150 GROUP LEADERS

110 ACTIVE LIFE GROUPS

1000+ LIFE GROUP PARTICIPANTS

A DAY WITH UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS

The Big Top will never be the same! Zion Church’s Day at the Circus is a family favorite that brings our faith-based message to new audiences, something that Zion does often. We took over the most interactive circus in the world, with Senior Pastor Keith Battle serving as ring master for the afternoon and We Are Zion Music performing. The Universoul Circus effort was made possible by our relationship with WPGC 95.5, where we also broadcast the Sunday morning Weekly Wisdom messages.

WEEKLY WISDOM

Weekly Wisdom began running on-air in 2015 as a way to reach a wider audience outside of the Zion sanctuary walls, targeting listeners who may work on weekends, or who just happen to hear our messages while tuned in on their morning drives.

These weekly doses of Bible-based principles and teachings make worship accessible for more than 30,000 people who may not be able to attend inperson church services or stream online. Many people who have never stepped foot into a Zion Church location have made this their church home, naming Senior Pastor Keith Battle their pastor.

The impact of this unique radio broadcast is major, and has proved vital in getting the message of Jesus Christ out to those who need to hear it most! Weekly Wisdom is truly a hallmark program of Zion Church, as well as the DMV area.

ZION PRODUCTION

Lights, Camera, Live Stream, ACTION

Zion Church’s Production Team make magic happen! Whether it’s setting a flawless live stream connection so those engaging from home have an impactful experience, or ensuring scriptures and song lyrics are cued up and in sync with our pastors, Zion’s video, audio, lighting, sound and editing team are second to none!

In 2022, the Production Team served more than 200 Zion events across 5 campuses, which included Sunday services, special worship events, training sessions, funerals and gatherings.

CONNECTING THE DOTS BEHIND THE SCENES TO DRIVE ZION FORWARD.

REINVESTED In Bleing Others

ZLAB - ZION INNOVATION

INSPIRATION, CURIOSITY, EXPERIMENTATION

The Zion Innovation Department, also know as “ZLab” develops and discovers innovations and technologies that help further the mission of Zion Church.

In March 2022, ZLab released EveryHumanNeeds (EHN), a platform that connects generosity with those who need a little grace and resources. Being founded by the belief that people matter to God, EHN provides encouragement by meeting the everyday human needs of love, care, and support through tangible items and acts of service.

BENEVOLENCE

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. – Ephesians 4:32

Our service is possible because of your love and faithfulness. It is through our Benevolence Ministry that we were able to provide acts of kindness to those who needed it most throughout 2022. There was a time when benevolence included just housing, but in today’s life of Zion, we are able to support a host of vital categories needed to ensure overall wellness, to include purchasing medications, assisting with transportation expenses and purchasing groceries.

TESTIMONIAL:

Thank you again Zion Church! I was so surprised when I walked outside. I’m still in awe. This has been a stressful postpartum and this is one of the biggest blessings I could’ve received all year. I’m so overwhelmed with emotions!

BENEVOLENCE STATS

$200,000 Total dollars spent in kindness giving

MOTHER’S DAY & FATHER’S DAY

$1,600 Average Rent or Mortgage payments given per household

125 Total households assisted

Honoring the mothers and fathers of our church often has an exponential impact on the entire Zion community, and our work in 2022 was two-fold: stopping evictions by supporting stable housing for mothers and their families, and providing overall health and wellness to our fathers by providing a host of activities and an inspiring dinner with our Senior Pastor Keith Battle.

The Zion community answered the call by nominating 375+ mothers and fathers who were deserving of extra love and care. We were blessed with the means to provide every nominee with a gift card, and all mothers and fathers who attended in-person church on those special days received a token of love from Zion Church.

$100,000 given to support and bless Mothers & Fathers for their special day

OUTREACH

Your generosity enabled Zion Church to continue supporting local and global communities in need. On the homefront, our outreach included providing local families with rent, mortgage, and utility assistance. We also exponentially increased our food and housing insecurity work, engaging corporate partners which allowed us to be the hands of feet of Christ for those in need.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

6,000+ People served at Zion health clinics

Our firstever free Z-Fest Community Wellness Day was a success, being a source of free education and much-needed health-based services for attendees. Partner organizations include Kaiser Permanente, Mary’s Center, Redicare, Dementia Friendly Association, Black Farmers Food Security Network, Holy Cross, Reagan’s Voice and US Wellcare. Z-Fest is just one of the initiatives made possible by a grant from United Way of the National Capital Area

GIFT CARDS FOR GUNS

Through our amazing partnership with First Baptist Church of Glenarden and the Prince George’s County Police Department, Zion continued our effort to reduce gun violence in our communities. The 2022 annual Gift Cards for Guns event collected more than 130 guns from anonymous participants in exchange for gift cards, with no questions asked.

130+ guns off the streets

FOOD

100+

families served each month through Zion Church’s food pantry

150+ Students served weekly at Bowie State University’s Nutrition Lounge & Athletics Department.

250 served through our network of nonprofit partners

EDUCATION

Zion Church adopted several schools and provided their families with food and utility assistance to help ease the financial burden being felt by those facing hardships. We also hosted another successful Back To School Drive, where our community helped us fill backpacks for students in grades kindergarten through college across the DMV region at all Zion campuses!

$40,000+ in scholarships to high school and college students

1100+ backpacks filled with back to school essentials

REIGNITED To Serve

GLOBAL REACH

$ 176,000+ INVESTED OVERSEAS IN 2022

MISSIONS

SPREADING GOD’S WORD GLOBALLY AND AT HOME! +

75 full-time missionaries financially supported around the globe

1000+ Haitian students supported

56 Pastors annual salaries fully paid (from locations around the globe)

140+ children experiencing ministry through our partnership with Awana

360+ Campers supported by partnering with “1DiedForAll” Basketball Camp (28+ salvations)

300 Pastors supported by partnering with World Hope Kenya’s Legacy Conference

116 student fees paid from World Hope Academy, Morning Star Orphanage, and Ill Bissell Boarding School

ZION PRISON MINISTRY

SUPPORTING OUR INCARCERATED AND RE-ENTERING COMMUNITY

Zion Church continued to minister to incarcerated and re-entering citizens; individuals who are often forgotten about, but who still need to know that God’s love is always ever present in their lives. By partnering with nonprofit organizations that support those who are re-entering back into society and restarting their lives, Zion Church ensures that these fresh starts are as seamless as possible.

We also actively reach thousands of inmates along the East Coast, including those in the DC Department of Corrections Central Detention Facility, the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections, and the Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk, Virginia. Zion Church provides powerful sermons, thoughtful messages and dynamic musical worship from We Are Zion Music weekly for inmates to hear and view for their spiritual growth.

NEW EXCITING PARTNERSHIPS

Zion Church excitedly brought faith to new environments and communities! Through partnerships with a few of our home teams - the Washington Commanders, Maryland Terrapins and the Capital City Go-Go, we ministered through community, sharing our mission with thousands of people who may not have already been aware.

A portion of ticket proceeds help Zion’s commitment to support those experiencing food and housing insecurity.

VERY SPECIAL GUESTS

IT’S AN HONOR TO WELCOME OUR CHURCH DOORS TO NOTABLE FIGURES IN THE COMMUNITY ON A REGULAR BASIS!

Over 50 elected officials and those vying for office visited Zion Church in 2022, including the Honorable Aisha Braveboy, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney, who presented Zion Church with a proclamation of congratulations on the first service in the new location of their house of worship.

SEASON OF BLESSINGS INSTEAD OF DOING CHURCH, LET’S BE THE CHURCH

Winter 2022 was indeed the season to be a blessing. Zion Church kicked off the holiday blessing campaign by encouraging and empowering each campus, ministry, and member to be the hands and feet of Christ over the holidays.

Dozens of caring souls completed various special acts of community service between November 19 - December 31. These acts of service were done individually or in a group, and were indeed blessings to many! And what a joy it was to touch families who needed special blessings this season!

FEATURED EVENT: MIRACLE ON Z STREET

For the 2022 Christmas season, Zion Church partnered with Prince George’s County Stadium to host Miracle on Z Street – Zion’s Annual extraordinary winter celebration! This year’s Miracle on Z Street focused on the majesty of the season through an interactive Nativity scene, photos with Santa, and an overall carnival theme with games, fun activities and fireworks for adults and children of all ages. Guests were able to experience the magic of Christmas through food, gifts, WOW moments, local and national recording artists, and an inspirational message from our Senior Pastor Keith Battle – all FREE of charge to everyone.

MIRACLE ON Z STREET 2022 FEATURED:

Recording artists Kevin Ross, Todd Galberth, and Danni Baylor as well as our very own Zion Music Worship Team

Unique Christmas Displays to celebrate the season

30+ Activities, Stations, Games, Entertainment, Giveaways, and Fun for the whole family

A brilliant Fireworks Show to end the magical evening

3,871 people attended The MOZ 2022 one-day event

1,000+ gifts distributed to 300+ kids

112 families received Santa sacks, filled with gifts, given to families

205 volunteers (wrapped gifts, delivered, worked onsite, etc.)

NEW YEAR’S EVE ‘22

OUR 2022 NEW YEAR PARTY WAS ONE FOR THE BOOKS!

2022 concluded with two interactive, in-person New Year’s Eve services, our first since 2019! Hosted simultaneously at Zion Greenbelt and Zion Landover, we did things differently this time and virtually connected both campuses.