Greetings,

From Humble Beginnings to a Global Mission 

Following the celebration of Mount Zion’s 40th anniversary in 2011, we reflected with gratitude on how our ministry first began, and today we remain thankful for our humble beginnings.

The Mount Zion 7th Day Church of God (UK International Conference) was established in England on 18 June 1966, when a small group of believers from the Mount Zion Sanctuary Assembly of Jamaica began meeting in the front room of Deacon Scarlett’s home in Derby under the leadership of Pastor N. Edwards. Though they were few in number, their faith and perseverance laid the foundation for everything that followed.

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In 1971 the late Bishop C. D. Reid of the Jamaica Conference visited England and, recognising God’s call on the life of Eric Satford Henry, ordained him as a Minister of the Gospel. Pastor Henry had already received a special message from the Heavenly Father to go out and evangelise. Obedient to this call, Pastor Henry and his family, together with Elder Parr and others, began a new fellowship at Streatham Public Baths in South London. Under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the church grew through heartfelt worship, preaching, baptisms and ordinations, and many souls were added to the faith.

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As the ministry expanded through the 1970s and 1980s, new branches were established in London, the Midlands and beyond. Mount Zion became known for its vibrant singing ministry and for bringing together people of different backgrounds, churches and cultures in unity and praise. After outgrowing rented halls and facing restrictions on worship times, the church stepped out in faith to secure its own building. In 1981, after great sacrifice and trust in God, the congregation moved into its own place of worship at 333A Sydenham Road, Croydon, which was later registered for worship and the solemnisation of marriages. By 1987 the mortgage was fully repaid, and a special “burning of the mortgage” service was held to give God thanks.

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In the mid-1980s, seeking to serve more effectively within the United Kingdom, the church became an independent Charitable Conference with its own constitution and leadership. The name was clarified to Mount Zion 7th Day Church of God, and the organisation continued to grow throughout the 1990s and 2000s, establishing branches in Nottingham, White City, Stockwell and Wolverhampton, as well as conferences and churches in Jamaica, Guyana, Kenya, Tanzania, St Maarten, St Lucia, the Philippines, Pakistan and India. The church also developed associated ministries in the United States and founded the Mount Zion School of Theology for Biblical Studies, fulfilling Bishop Henry’s vision for solid theological training.

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Now, in 2025, Mount Zion 7th Day Church of God (UK International Conference) continues to stand as a testimony to God’s faithfulness. Nearly sixty years after that first meeting in a small front room in Derby, the ministry remains committed to evangelism, worship, community service and global mission. Many faithful servants, members, families and friends have given sacrificially of their time, gifts and resources to build and sustain the work. Some have gone on to lead other churches and conferences; others have remained within the fellowship, all contributing to Mount Zion’s continuing witness at home and abroad.

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Mount Zion has indeed “come this far by faith”, standing firmly on the promise of Zechariah 4:6: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.”