Mt. Zion Church grew from a group of 20 people attending Bible study in the basement of Pastor Loren Covarrubias’ parents’ home, to currently providing ministry to more than 18,000 people annually.
Now the church is being highlighted for their “successful faith and community-based programs, mentorship, family support initiatives and education programs” through the Celebration of American Life.
Based on an initiative by President George W. Bush to allow faith-based organizations who help individuals in need to compete for federal funds to run their programs, a Union of Faith — a Faith-Based and Community Summit was held Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Clarkston Christian Association with Jim Towey, assistant to President Bush and director of the White House Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives, as the keynote speaker.
The initiative focuses its efforts on at-risk youth, ex-offenders, the homeless, the hungry, substance abusers, HIV/Aids victims and welfare-to-work families.
The summit was held to “provide answers to diminishing resources while focusing on the best practices of organizations.”
“Mt. Zion provides faith-based programs that exemplify what we are trying to do,” Kevin Fobbs, chairman of the board for Celebration of American Life and President of the National Urban Policy Action Council, said. “Mt. Zion is a national example of how faith-based and community organizations can collaborate together to change lives, empower families and restore hope.”
Mt. Zion offers a wide array of faith-based community programs including a school, preschool and daycare center, full dance studio, skate parks, and much more.
For example, the Clarkston Christian Association on Sashabaw Road features the CCAngle, in partnership with Clarkston Community Schools, to provide after school activities for sixth through eighth graders. Club 5529, inside the CCA, offers a smoke-free, alcohol-free night club for young adults.
There’s also the STEPS to Life Enrichment program which focuses on helping people have “an improved quality of life,” and features class topics like Controlling Emotions, Nutrition, Anger, Coping with Divorce, Healing for Women, Singles Issues, Substance Abuse Classes for Children, among others.
Mt. Zion’s Hispanic outreach program, located at the Mt. Zion Center on Clintonville Road in Waterford, offers a Hispanic service on Sunday evenings, while during the week helps Hispanic individuals procure employment, learn English, and prepare legal documents.
Pastor Covarrubias attributes Mt. Zion’s growth to God.
“In the beginning of this ministry the Lord spoke to me and said, ‘If you will go the way of the Spirit, you will possess things others have not possessed.’ Going the way of the Spirit, means listening to the voice of God and following His direction, even when it doesn’t seem to fit our character.”
He says this is what happened in 1993 when the Lord spoke to him and directed him to purchase the racquetball center in Waterford. Not a sports-person, Covarrubias was skeptical, but followed the Lord’s direction.
Today, the Waterford Christian Association offers a Family Time program with entertainment every Friday and Saturday afternoons during the school year, Teen Hangout, and basketball leagues. The Clarkston Christian Association followed in 1996, when Covarrubias bought the old Food Town grocery store.
Pastor Covarrubias and his wife, Bonnie, believe the church of today must be culturally relevant.
“It is our desire to help people experience the best of life,” Covarrubias said.
The faith-based initiative program, he feels, will help to enhance the current programs Mt. Zion offers as well as provide a means to create new and innovative programs to support the community.
Towey, speaking to attendees of the Summit which included clergy from Detroit churches and organizations, said “discrimination against faith-based groups…we want to change that.”
He said the government has put limitations on religious organizations such as in obtaining federal funding as well as vocalization.
“You’ve been given a privilege to touch the poor. The question shouldn’t be does your program believe in God? It should be does your program work?”
Towey said what motivates Bush in this initiative is seeing all over the country, the effort of faith-based organizations to be shepherds to meet the needs of others.
“Bush would say how grateful he is of how you have dedicated your lives to uplifting others. This is what makes America great.”
For information on the federal funding for faith-based organization, visit www.fbci.gov.
For more information on Mt. Zion and its many programs, visit www.mtzion.org or call (248) 391-6166. Mt. Zion Church is located at 4900 Maybee Rd. in Clarkston.