Welcome to Little Zion Baptist Church Celebrating 115 Years of Service
Pastoral Search
Our History
The following EXCERPTS were TAKEN FROM the CHURCH HISTORY AS WRITTEN BY SIS. LULA BREAUX
The Little Zion Baptist Church was organized in
ORGANIZED: 1910 – UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF the late REV. HENRY CLAY WILLIAMS
PLACES OF WORSHIP:
Zion’s First edifice was located in the 1300 block of Eagle Street
The first church was built in 1926 and was destroyed by fire in 1930.
The second building was a temporary house of worship that existed until 1948 when it was demolished to build a third.
The third and permanent building was located at 3110 Fern Street –this land was later purchased by the City of New
Orleans for the construction of Earhart Boulevard, due to this sell Little Zion Temporarily worshiped with Rev.
C. J. Allen at St. Joseph Baptist Church
In 1954 - Little Zion relocated to the building at 3231 Audubon Street
In 1985 - a new sanctuary, which was attached to the existing building at 3231 Audubon was dedicated to the Glory of
God. In 1996, Little Zion celebrated the Note Burning. – In 2005 the two buildings were irreparably damaged by
Hurricane Katrina followed by a tornado in 2006. From October 2005 when the City was reopened to
residents until Mother’s Day, May 2006 worship was temporarily held with the Sunlight B.C., Rev. James
Parnell, Pastor In May 2006 worship was moved to the Little Zion Multi-purpose building located at 4821
Earhart Blvd.
PASTORS: During Little Zion’s many years we have had 7 shepherds to lead the flock with our late Pastor Rev. Walter Hardy, Jr.
being the last.
Groundbreaking: On March 28, 2015…The day had come, on this great day, the Little Zion Family, along with friends, Architects, Builders
and Community, broke Ground for the rebuilding of 3231 to begin.
Dedication: Within a year, On March 6, 2016… “The Dawn of a New Day” – Little Zion returns to 3231 Audubon Street, as we
celebrated a NEW LIFE in the Dedication of God’s Edifice.
Today Little Zion still has more hills to climb. Closing year of 2019 dispatched an unknown enemy to the world that affected young/old, rich/poor, saint/sinner alike. It was called COVID-19. Just like the rest of the world, Little Zion was also affected by this dreaded disease. March 2020, Pastor in his God-given wisdom shut the doors of Zion to in-person worship. It wasn’t long before he and his Board found a way to reach out to Zion with a word of inspiration. First Deacons and the Ministerial Staff provided encouraging words each week via Zion’s Facebook page. But that wasn’t enough, Zion members needed to hear their Pastor’s voice, so a conference line was set up and through recordings each Sunday morning, we were in service again, be it by call-in only at first. Then our Media Staff found a way to not only allow us to call in, but we could again hear our Pastor through our Facebook page. Zion continued in the work and praise of the Lord virtually until the 2nd Sunday in September 2021 when COVID restrictions were lightened and our Pastor said, Let’s go home. Even during the pandemic restrictions Zion found a way to provide food boxes to some of our members. Zion found a way to provide school supplies and needed personal items to our youth, and the youth and neighbors of the community. Even during this crisis, Zion found a way to acknowledge and honor our 2020 Graduates. Zion is like a kids blow-up clown, the more you hit it the faster it bounces right back up.
In August 2024 God called our beloved Pastor home to Heaven and now we his ‘sweet children’ have embarked upon a task we have not had to do for more than 50 years. But through it all Zion has learned to trust in Jesus and lean and depend upon His Word believing that He will never leave or forsake us.
Congratulations Little Zion for staying on the wall, rebuilding the broken sections, not allowing the enemy to destroy your faith and praying.
Pastoral Job Description
Little Zion Baptist Church of New Orleans, Louisiana, is prayerfully seeking a God-fearing spiritual leader to fill the position of full-time Pastor. We are a family orientated traditional Baptist Church seeking growth and deeper discipleship with an average membership of 300. Little Zion Baptist Church is located in the Gert Town neighborhood of New Orleans at 3231 Audubon Street.
• Purpose: The Pastor is the spiritual leader of the church, and is responsible to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, to teach Biblical scripture, to engage in pastoral care, and to provide administrative leadership in all areas of church life and function. The candidate will lead collaboratively with the Trustee Board, Deacon Board, and the church staff. The candidate will lead Little Zion Baptist Church members and guests to worship, grow in their walk of faith so that they may impact their communities.
Qualifications:
• Licensed and Ordained in the Baptist Denomination for a minimum of five years required
• Bachelor’s degree required from accredited college or seminary
• Possess Biblical qualifications as stated in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
• Proficient skills in computer literacy and technology
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills including media and positive social media presence.
Key Responsibilities:
1. As a preacher and teacher, present well-organized, Bible-based sermons and lessons that edify, challenge, and encourage the church as well as promote the passionate worship of God. Knowledge and desire to preach and teach the entire Bible from Genesis through Revelation.
2. Able to support additional educational and teaching ministries
3. Lead the congregation in Outreach and Evangelism ministry. (Winning souls for Christ)
4. Model and uphold tenants and doctrines of the Baptist Faith, with integrity and fidelity follow the constitution, rules, regulations, and procedures of the Little Zion Baptist Church.
5. Provide pastoral care by implementing confidential pastoral counseling, visiting the sick, elderly, and bereaved. The pastor shall, with the assistance of deacons, oversee the pastoral care, nurturing of Little Zion members and respond to emergencies as needed.
6. Administer the ordinances of the church (Baptism and Communion). Conduct weddings, blessings of children, and funerals.
7. Ensure the church maintains a focus on providing ministry and initiatives that
engage and involve members of every generation.
8. Model and Perform as a visionary leader with a plan to grow the membership.
9. Provide guidance and oversight to the deacons, all church committees, and mission.
10. Provide leadership and primary oversight and direction to the church office and staff. Represent Little Zion on local, state and national platforms, to visitors and other persons who engage with Little Zion.
11. Convene quarterly and annual meetings and workshops with the professional church staff and members for review and evaluation of church performance. The Pastor is directly responsible to the congregation in the performance of ministry.
12. Oversight of the Ministerial staff. Assigning preaching and teaching schedules at the pastor’s discretion.
13. Responsible for planning regarding Sunday Service, Bible Class, and daily operations when absent.
14. Responsible for representing Little Zion in District Association (Ideal Missionary Baptist and Educational Association), State Convention (Louisiana Missionary Baptist State Convention) and National Convention (National Baptist Convention USA)
Must agree with the following:
1. Credit and Criminal Background Check
2. Submit To Drug Testing
- Must provide:
- Current Church: (Membership, attendance and service areas)
- References
- Professional Reference: (Employment References)
- Personal Reference: (If Associate Minister Must include Pastor or if you are a pastor must include reference from District Association)
Interested candidates can submit resumes electronically to: pastoralsearch@lzbcno.org
