Church Achiever's Archive

November - Sis Gwen Johnson

Our member for the month of November is no other than Sis. Gwendolyn Johnson, an active and faithful long time member of Mt. Zion MBC.

Gwendolyn (Gwen) Johnson grew up in Delano, California. At the age of 13 years, she joined St. Paul Baptist Church in Delano under the leadership of Rev. R. B. Moore. As a teenager she served as teacher/Superintendent of the church Sunday School. She moved to Bakersfield, California in 1968 and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Fresno State Extension 1970. In the fall of 1970 Bakersfield City School District (BCSD) hired Gwen as a third-grade teacher. She earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education in 1984.

In 1991 Ms. Johnson joined Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. H.T. Calhoun. Gwen has been chairperson for the Pastor’s and Wife’s Anniversary Celebration for several years. She served as Sunday School teacher for the Beginners and Primary Class from 1995 until the Pandemic, more than 25 years.

In 1990 Gwen received her Preliminary Administrative Service Credential, California State University, Bakersfield and was selected “Outstanding Student in Educational Administration”. As Program Specialist, Special Education, BCSD, she served as Co-chairperson, Comprehensive System of Personnel Development Advisory Committee (CSPDAC), California State Department of Education. In 1998 she was honored in “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges”. Ms. Johnson served as principal of Casa Loma for thirteen years. During her leadership, Casa Loma students met their Federal and State scores five consecutive years under guidelines of No Child Left Behind.

After 42 years of service in BCSD, Gwen retired June 2012 as principal with the African American students at Casa Loma making huge academic growth that qualified the students for Safe Harbor. By being labeled, Safe Harbor, the African American students met their Federal and State requirements. She has served as Adjunct Professor at California State University Bakersfield (CSUB).

At present Gwen Johnson is Youth Sunday School Teacher at Mt. Zion.

“I know that my gift from God is my ability to teach and motivate others”. “Education is my passion”.

Sis Johnson is the newest member of the Susie B. Goodloe Scholarship Fund Committee of Mt. Zion. She will be an asset to the Committee for her experiences as Principal and School Administrator.

October- Dr. Pamela Smith

Our member for the month of October is no other than Dr. Pamela Smith.

Dr. Pamela Smith, nurse practitioner, is proud to say she was raised at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. She was baptized at the age of four by the late Rev. H.A. Green just so she could be an usher. She and her father joined Mt. Zion on the same Sunday.

Growing up at Mt. Zion, she has been an active participant in most of the auxiliaries. As a child, she was in Starlight Band. Being at the church mostly every Saturday from 2-3 PM was mandatory, since her mother was the Supervisor of the Starlight Band for over 12 years. Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven,” was the motto and it was required that it be learned.

At Mt. Zion she has served in Starlight Band, GA Girls, YWA, Jr. Mission, WMU, Jr. Ushers, Ushers, Youth choir, Young Adult Choir, Adult Choir, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and the Nurses Corps/ 1st Aid department. In Sunday School she has been a member, Jr. Superintendent, Teacher, Board Monitor, and Secretary. At the age of 16, she served as the youngest BTU Director and she concurrently served as the choir director of the Young Adult Youth Choir. She has been actively involved with Vacation Bible School, both as a student and a teacher. In addition, she was the first female to receive Mt. Zion’s educational scholarship in 1972.

As an adult, Sister Smith is still actively involved with different axillaries of Mt. Zion. She has returned to the Usher Board, she is currently the recording secretary and past Vice President of the WMU, and both student and a teacher for the Sunday School department.

She is proud to say she is one of the few members who has served under the leadership of the last three pastors, Rev. H.A. Green, Rev. Alfonzo Dirks, and Rev. Hiawatha T. Calhoun. What she remembers most about Rev. Green was when she was a child, he gave her a quarter to stop sucking her thumb. However, she realized she was not ready to stop, so the next Sunday in Sunday School, she gave it back to him. Under Rev. Dirks’ leadership, she remembered he encouraged debates and controversial topics in BTU and utilized biblical referencing. And, Rev. Calhoun is an excellent historian. He has the unique gift of providing detail history with each of his topics.

In addition to her parents, Deacon Murrel and Sister Rosa Lee Lyons, she attributes her educational success to the Village of Mt. Zion. Sister Susie B. Goodloe her 2nd grade teacher was responsible for her paying attention in class, Sister Lavenia Hill-Goodloe her 6th grade teacher, helped to light the fire of learning, and Deacon Paul Cato, her Jr. High school counselor was instrumental in her being placed in High School College prep classes. Sister Minnie Wilson along with many of the other villagers of Mt. Zion, were influential guiding forces in helping instill biblical knowledge and moral standards.

Congratulations to Kresean Kizzy, the nephew of Rev. H.T. & Sis Linda Calhoun. Kresean is a Senior at Liberty High School.

"Kresean is the first player in CIF State championship history to score a touchdown on offense, defense and special teams and he received Athlete of the Year Award from Hometown Sports," said Tasha, Kizzy's mother who provided the above photo of her son.

Mt Zion MBC-Bakersfield is very proud of Kresean and praying for his safety and continuous success in the sport he loves to play. "Let us all pray for my nephew, Kresean, and the player who got injured in the game," Rev. Calhoun said.

Article below is taken from The Bakersfield Californian Sports dated December 11, 2022:

Kizzy's three touchdowns lead way as Liberty rolls to first state football title.

Senior Kresean Kizzy scored three touchdowns- in about every fashion possible - and the Patriots rolled to a 48-20 victory over Pittsburg to capture the state 1-A championship on Saturday at Saddleback College.

"It was amazing," said Kizzy , who finished with four catches for 129 yards. " I celebrated with my family, my brothers are all here. I didn't know what we were going to do, but I prayed that we'd win state. We made it back and we actually finished this time. It's been an amazing run."

With several schools offering scholarship, Kresean has chosen to go to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. His entire family is excited for him. Congrats and goodluck, Kresean!

Bro. Kresean Kizzy

September - Orelia Taylor

The church member for the month of September is no other than SIS ORELIA TAYLOR.

"I know Jesus is on that mainline. Tell Him what you want.

Jesus is on that mainline. Tell Him what you want.

Jesus is on that mainline. Tell Him what you want. Call Him up and tell Him what you want...."

Yes, Jesus Is On The Mainline... one of the many favorite songs of our member of the month, Orelia Taylor. Sis Taylor's face lighten up every time she hears the song and joyfully join in the singing. She loves to read the Daily Bread every morning. She loves going to church. She got a particular seat in the church and she will request you to move if you are occupying the same when she arrives. She's a good cook and loves to host the Family Sunday dinner in her house. But, due to advanced age and health problems all these are now memories. She turned 96 years old few months ago and now living in an assisted living facility in Bakersfield but she's well and in good spirit most of the times.

Sis Taylor did not hesitate to get an education at a later age. She graduated from high school when she's older and got grown up kids already. Her graduation was a moment of happiness for her and her entire family.

She is not only active in church but also in the community. She served as Officer in the Women's VFW (Veterans of Foreign War) and the Youth Director in Bakersfield Singers Association. She's an active member of Mt. Zion MBC for over 6 decades and served in several important church positions in the past, such as:

* President of the Deacon Wives' Council being the wife of Deacon Louis Taylor

and a Deaconess in church

*Active member of the WMU and a member of Deborah Circle whose members were Delliah Walder, Geneva McDonald, Nevada Payne, Ella Mae Rivers, Susie Brothers, Minnie Wilson, Geraldine Higgins, Donnie Taylor, Olivia Nichols, Mattie Chester, Geneva Walker, Velva Johnson and Ruth Tate. Deborah Circle represents Deborah, the first woman Judge of Israel. Their motto was " "You can measure a person's worth by the size of his/her heart."

* Member of the First Sunday Lord's Supper Preparation Committee

*New Member Contact Person of the church and assists during Baptism

*Member of the Sunday School Staff

*Sunday School Substitute Teacher

*Member of the Mt. Zion Choir

Sis Taylor made herself available to help when there's a need. Truly, an amazing woman with God's heart, who touched lots of lives and whose life is well lived and full of legacy.

Proverbs 31:27

"She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness."

(ebuckner)

August- Gloriah McDonald

The church member for the month of August is no other than SIS GLORIAH McDONALD.

Sis Gloriah McDonald, have been a member of Mt. Zion for over 70 years. She joined when she was 9 years old. Her parents were very church active members and so she began at an early age going to Sunday School where she later became a teacher of the primary class. She sang in the choir, worked with the VBS, served on several committees and was a part of the Starlight Band, YWA, Jr. Women, and later the WMU.

Gloriah is the only and oldest girl of six children born to Minnie and Jeff Wilson. Jim and Gloria have been married for 59 years on August 4, 2022.

"My plans for the San Joaquin District Baptist Women Missionary Union is, with the help of the Lord, build up the group and encourage young women to be trained so that they can take the season member's places", Sis McDonald said.

Sis McDonald was elected as 2022-23 SJMBA WMU President last July 2022 District Annual Session at Mt. Zion MBC-Bakersfield, Rev. H.T. Calhoun-Pastor. She succeeded Sis Monica Wilson of Second Baptist Church in Visalia; Rev. Frank Wilson-Pastor, her sister-in-law, as WMU President of the San Joaquin Missionary Baptist Association.

(ebuckner)

July - Grant Johnson

The Member for the month of July, 2022, is no other than GRANT JOHNSON.

Grant is the grandson of the church's long time member, Sis Gwen Johnson. Sis Johnson is a Sunday School teacher, an active & supportive member of Mt. Zion and a retired principal of the Bakersfield City School District.

He grew up in Mt. Zion, served as Youth Assistant Superintendent of the Church Sunday School and always with his Grandma attending Sunday School, Sunday Service and other activities in church. He is still with his Grandma attending Sunday Service every time he's back in Bakersfield. Grant grew up into a fine, responsible young man who is thankful to God for everything he got and achieved in his life at this present time. He continues to pursue Education and got bigger plans for the future.

Grant is the son of Darryl Johnson, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources of Panama-Buena Vista Union School District in Bakersfield, California, and Lisa Johnson, a Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Teacher at Laurel Glen Elementary School, Panama Buena Vista Union School District.

He graduated from Holy Names University, Oakland, California on May 14, 2022 with a degree of Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies. He is the recipient of the “2022 Alpha Delta Leadership Award “from Holy Names University for academic achievement.

In the Fall, he will be returning to Holy Names to begin Graduate School, working towards obtaining a Master’s Degree in Education.

Grant have met the qualifications to substitute as a teacher. He subbed as a teacher at Stockdale Elementary School and at High Gate Elementary School. Both schools are part of the Panama Buena Vista Unified School District, Bakersfield, California.

"My goal for the future is to pursue a career in Education and to give back to the community", Grant said. Truly a remarkable, fine young man who love and thankful to the community where he grew up.

Grant together with Jared Villegas were recognized as Mt. Zion MBC Graduates 2022 during the Sunday Morning Service last June. They both received a certificate and a gift from the Church.

(ebuckner)