Mt. Zion Relocates After Flood

By Josh Hinkle, Anchor/Reporter

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By Josh Hinkle

Story Created: Oct 5, 2008 at 1:43 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 5, 2008 at 6:32 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - The flood spared only a few of Cedar Rapids' predominantly black churches. Sunday, the city's largest found a new home.

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church was a church with a challenge. It finally found a place to praise. Members went without a home for nearly four months.

Linda Sanders says, "I think it was just the way of the Lord letting us know it was time to move up to the next level."

The old First Baptist Church Building on Second Avenue was vacant for five years. Now, it's anything but empty.

Otis Jones says, "If someone breaks out in a shout, it's not a surprise."

Sanders says, "I probably won't be sitting down too much. I'll probably be up clapping her hands and praising the Lord."

Parishioners say it all wouldn't be possible without their pastor.

Jones says, "Without a leader, people just kind of scatter."

Without a home, membership dwindled to under a hundred. But since Pastor Damian Epps stepped in, that number has nearly tripled. Epps chose the church after a visit in June.

He interjects, "I didn't. God picked it."

That was four days before the flood that ruined their old building.
Since then, he packed up his family in California, moved to Cedar Rapids, and helped secure this sanctuary, a place he doesn't plan to leave anytime soon.

Epps says, "In fact, I believe, if you come today, you'll come back by and say, 'Hey, I like what's going on there."

Parishioners believe God sent Epps to them.

Thelma Benjamin asks, "Is there anything to hard for God? Nothing."

And with Epps' help, they're well on their way to becoming the strongest they've ever been before.

He says "We have a slogan: Affected by the flood. Encouraged by faith."

Until Sunday, members of Mt. Zion have been meeting for services at St. Paul United Methodist Church since the Sunday after the flood.
They have so many members now, they plan to add a second Sunday service soon.

Next Article Steel Rising From The Ground at Cedar Rapids’ New Convention Center

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