Welcome to Mt. Pisgah
A Spiritual Home, Where All Are Welcome.
A Beacon of Faith and Community
For over a century and a half, Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church has stood as a lighthouse of faith and fellowship. Whether you’ve walked with God for years or are taking your first steps, you belong here. Our mission is to enlighten minds with God’s Word and elevate souls. Feel the transformative warmth of genuine faith. At Mt. Pisgah, you’re not merely a guest—you’re family.
Why name a church Mount. Pisgah?
The word Pisgah is mentioned several times in the Bible. It means the highest point. Mt. Pisgah is the name of a ridge found in the Abarim Mountains, of which Mt. Nebo is the highest. This ridge overlooks the northeastern end of the Dead Sea. It was on Mt. Pisgah that Moses viewed the Promised Land and is where he died (Deuteronomy 32:49). Mt. Pisgah is also the place where King Balak built seven altars and asked Balaam, a seer famously known for pronouncing blessings and curses, to curse the children of Israel. In the Bible, we know the exact opposite happens. Instead of curses, God showered down blessings (Numbers 22 & 23). That’s right; God will even use your enemies and those supporting them to shower down blessings upon His people.
So why not name a church Mt. Pisgah, a place of promise and blessings. The only requirement to receive God’s promise and blessing reward is to “Trust God, have faith, be humble, always pray, and love thy neighbor as yourself.” Mt. Pisgah, or the highest point, is the peak of our faith. Faith, the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We are to walk by faith and not by sight.
Welcome Video
From Our Pastor
Dear Beloved in Christ,
I’m thrilled to welcome you to Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, a spiritual haven with a legacy spanning over 160 years. Whether you’re visiting us for the first time or have been a part of our family for years, know that you are home.
Our mission is twofold: to grow this incredible legacy of faith and to empower each one of you as believers. We are committed to teaching the unadulterated word of God, uplifting your spirit, and nurturing a community where everyone feels welcome.
Let’s walk this journey of faith together, fortifying our legacy and empowering our community to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.
In His Love,
William A. Hayden, Jr.
Pastor William A. Hayden, Jr.
Great Groups for Getting Started
Frequently Asked Questions
What is worship like?
This space should feature a plain-spoken description of your worship services that will help a visitor imagine what it would be like to participate. Link to a recorded service if you want to give them an example.
If you have online worship, be sure to describe that as well. In fact, have an answer ready related to online worship for every relevant question.
I have children. How does worship work for us?
Nursery care, Sunday School, children’s sermon, children’s church, breast feeding, fussy kids, activity kits, Communion and kids…these are just some of the topics that can be broached here. Use Bolded text or H3 formatting for headings (which can be straightforward or stated as questions) and regular text for friendly answers.
How should we dress for worship?
How do people typically dress in your congregation? People want to know they won’t feel out of place or uncomfortable with how they look. Be honest about the norms in your congregation.
During Communion what should I do?
What are the procedures and policies surrounding Communion? Who can partake? Explain how the sacrament of Communion works in your setting, while remembering to keep your language simple and clear.
Remember, this is not the place for an in-depth, theological treatise of Communion. If you feel you need that, link to a separate post, page, site or document where people can read more.
Do we need to give an offering? How does that work?
Many churches are explicit that a guest’s presence is their gift, but let readers know how the offering works, how funds are used, how to give online, and so on.
How do people follow along with worship? Will I be able to keep up?
Do you use hymnals, bulletins, screens, or some other combination? Explain how the visitor can follow along. If you use a lot of liturgy, let guests know it’s OK if they can’t keep up their first time. Offer to pair them with someone if they’d like by contacting the church office.
Where should I park? How do I get to the worship area?
Whether you’re blessed with a huge parking lot or not, it’s important to help people know what to expect. Describe the parking situation, along with how one moves through the building into the worship space. If there are designated spaces for guests, note that too. If you have greeters, let readers know there are people they can ask for help.
Also, refer guests to the map and directions section by using this link.
I'm nervous in new social situations. Will I have to talk to people?
Many people are anxious about visiting because they don’t like small talk or don’t like the feeling of being left alone. Let visitors know it’s OK if they come right as the service is starting and leave immediately afterward. You can also recommend they try out online worship.
By the way, it’s always good to have a policy for ushers and greeters to notice body language and give visitors space when they think it’s appropriate.
I have a disability. Can I still participate in worship?
How do you assist people with different types of impairments? Do you have ramps, wheelchairs, accessible restrooms, large print hymnals, hearing devices, sign language interpreters, and so on? Be sure to provide more than a simple list; let people know, for example, where to get assisted listening devices or where to find the elevator.
By the way, did you know that many visually-impaired people’s first impression of your church will be how accessible your website is? Contact us if you’d like help making your website more accessible.
People like me aren't welcome at every church. What about yours?
This is another opportunity to refer to any type of inclusion statement or policy you have and how you live into it. A generic statement like, “We’re a friendly church” or “We welcome everyone” doesn’t answer the question. Even mentioning gender-ncutral and family-friendly restrooms can say a lot about who you are!