The first site of the Church was located at Abenrote 56, Mannheim. Through God’s continuous blessings, the Church experienced much growth and progress. This growth resulted in the Church relocating to its present location. Easter Sunday, April 15, 1990, was the first worship service at our present location of Speckweg 14, Mannheim-Waldhof.

 

Under Pastor Bell’s dynamic leadership, we grew in our zeal for the Lord, responsibilities to our families and love and concern for our brothers and sisters. GNZ reached out through participation in international events such as European NAACP annual festivities at Heidelberg University; the Frankenthal German/American Gospel Fest; the European NAACP Black History Event featuring the Honorable Benjamin Hooks; the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in Schwetzingen and Frankfurt; and various appearances at military and civilian gala affairs. The Church also established a tutoring program for the Mannheim/Heidelberg area students and academic awards programs.

 

On November 4, 1990, Reverend Ralph E. James assumed the Pastorate from Reverend Bell.

 

On 30 May 1993, the yoke was passed to Reverend Chester Jordan. In our constant effort to pursue the goals of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Church continued to grow in all areas. And additional worship service and praise service was established called Joy Night held each Wednesday before the 1st Sunday. Our religious Education program increased to a full time Sunday School; Baptism classes for new converts, and Quarterly Leadership Conference which aids in the development of Church Officers. Greater New Zion was recognized as a member of both the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and the National Baptist congress of Congress of Christian Education.

 

Under Pastor Jordan, Greater New Zion has expanded its religious program to include biannual Church Workshops and a yearly Vacation Bible School. To further enhance spiritual growth and awareness, Quarterly Prayer breakfasts were instituted. The Church Covenant and Constitution was adopted in March 1995. College scholarships have been awarded each year since 1993 whenever there are graduates within the Church body. During Pastor Jordan’s watch, we have continued to reach out and touch the lives in our host country, thus drawing people of all races creeds, and colors. Prison ministries were instituted at Coleman barracks and the Mannheim German Prison. The ministry expanded to provide food, clothing and transportation to refugee camps from Rimsbach, Mannheim, Schwetzingen, Altrip, Heidelberg, and Sinsheim. In 1996, the Transportation Ministry was born and the Church purchased a Church Van. In 1999, GNZ combined with Mt. Zion (Baumholder) began an Annual Belersdorf Crusade to the community of Belersdorf to further spread the Gospel to German citizens. In 1998, the first female Minister was Ordained. In January of 2000, the worship service was moved to 9AM and came to be known as the "HOUR OF POWER".

 

Greater New Zion continues to pursue the goal of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in spreading the Gospel to the world and living the Gospel in our daily lives. Over the years we have come from a long way. Yet, we have a long way to go still. But God will see us safely through. He did not bring us this far to leave us.