About the Fellowship

Our Vision

The Mt. Zion Ministry Fellowship exists to see Christ formed in every minister and every ministry we serve. We are a community of leaders committed to embodying the character, compassion, and conviction of Jesus as we shepherd His people. Our vision is to cultivate a network of healthy, Spirit-filled ministers who lead with wisdom, humility, and faithfulness—both in their local ministry context and in the broader Kingdom of God.

Our Values

Everything we do flows from a set of core biblical values that shape our culture, our leadership, and our mission:

Christ-Centered Leadership

We believe Jesus is the Chief Shepherd of His Church. All true leadership begins by following Him with obedience, devotion, and surrender.

Sound Doctrine

Our Fellowship is rooted in the authority of Scripture. We hold to historic, orthodox Christian belief and pursue theological clarity in all we teach, preach, and practice.

Integrity & Accountability

Godly character matters. We commit to living and leading with honesty, humility, transparency, and mutual accountability. Healthy leaders create healthy churches.

Spirit-Filled Ministry

We rely on the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. Ministry is not merely a skill—it is a supernatural calling carried out through dependence, prayer, and spiritual gifts.

Unity & Collaboration

We believe we are stronger together. Our Fellowship cultivates Kingdom relationships, shared learning, mutual encouragement, and the unity Jesus prayed for among His followers.

Missional Focus

Every credentialed minister is sent. Our shared mission is to reach people far from God, make disciples, and advance the Gospel in our neighborhoods, cities, and world.

Our History

The Mt. Zion Ministry Fellowship grew out of Mt. Zion Church’s long-standing commitment to equip and empower leaders for effective ministry. As our church expanded its discipleship pathways, leadership development tracks, and credentialing processes, a clear need emerged: a structured, relational network where ministers could be trained, supported, commissioned, and unified around a shared theological foundation.

What began as an internal credentialing system has become a broader fellowship—connecting pastors, ministry leaders, church planters, chaplains, and missionaries who share a heart for Spirit-filled, Scripture-shaped ministry. Today, the Fellowship serves as a home for both current and future ministry leaders who desire covering, accountability, community, and ongoing development.

Leadership

Our Fellowship is guided by a team of seasoned leaders who uphold doctrinal clarity, spiritual integrity, and pastoral care for every minister in the network.

Senior Pastor

Rev. Devin Peterson, M.Div.

Devin Peterson serves as the Senior Pastor of Mt. Zion Church, leading with a deep passion for seeing Christ formed in people and communities. He is committed to developing spiritually healthy leaders, strengthening the church through sound doctrine, and creating meaningful pathways for discipleship and ministry training. Devin holds a Master of Divinity with biblical languages (Greek & Hebrew) from Luther Rice College & Seminary, where he specialized in pastoral leadership, theology, and the study of Scripture in its original languages. He provides vision and oversight for the Mt. Zion Ministry Fellowship, equipping ministers with the character, clarity, and confidence needed to serve the Kingdom with excellence.

Church Council

The Church Council serves as Mt. Zion’s elected governing body—providing fiduciary oversight, organizational alignment, and high-level stewardship of the church’s mission, ministries, and resources. Council members are spiritually mature, trusted leaders who partner closely with the Senior Pastor to ensure our church and the Fellowship operate with integrity, transparency, and wisdom.

The Council’s responsibilities include:

Safeguarding the mission and values of Mt. Zion

Overseeing major financial, facility, and organizational decisions

Supporting the Senior Pastor in strategic leadership

Ensuring accountability structures that promote health and unity

Serving as representatives of the congregation’s voice and trust

Council members serve as stabilizing anchors for the Fellowship—helping maintain clarity, order, and faithfulness as we equip and send ministers into Kingdom work:

Lyle Sheldon, Chairman

Russ Kilbane, Vice-Chairman/Mission's Board Chair

Chris Santimays, Treasurer

Claudine Adams, Secretary

Devin Peterson

Becky Searfoss

Tom Webster

Elizabeth Chaillou

Credentialing & Endorsement Committee

A designated team responsible for:

reviewing ministerial applications

conducting theological and pastoral interviews

assessing alignment with Mt. Zion’s doctrine and values

recommending candidates for Commissioning, Ordination, or Endorsement

The Credentialing & Endorsement Committee serves as a formation anchor—helping ensure that every minister we send is spiritually grounded, doctrinally sound, and equipped to serve the Kingdom with integrity and excellence.

Rev. Devin Peterson, Chaiman

Lyle Sheldon, Vice-Chairman

Russ Kilbane

Harley Main

Jim McClure

Rev. Brian Watts

Rev. Tommy Schumacher