#ROOTED2RISE​

Psalm 1:3 | “They shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth fruit in its season; whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever they do shall prosper.”

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I. Theological Frame

At Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Rooted to Rise expresses both our spiritual conviction and our strategic direction. We are rooted in Scripture, anchored in the witness of our ancestors, and nourished by the faith traditions of the Black Church. Trusting that the same God who plants us in rural soil will cause us to flourish in every season. Mount Moriah stands as a welcoming, affirming, and inclusive congregation.

 

Our sign says it plainly: “Everyone is Welcome.” We believe that all people — regardless of race, gender, family background, sexuality, or social standing — are created in the image of God and worthy of belonging, love, and purpose.

 

This radical welcome is not a program; it is a theological stance. It is our way of living Psalm 1:3 — being a tree whose branches stretch wide enough to offer shade, fruit, and rest to everyone whom God sends our way.

 

II. Mount Moriah’s Context & Calling

This is a small, rural, and rooted congregation — a sacred gathering of about one hundred connected souls. Roughly forty members worship each week faithfully from Pembroke families now rooted in Savannah, Hinesville, Richmond Hill, and Pooler. Another forty remain connected through family and memory, and dozens more join us periodically from the McFadden Retirement Community. 

 

We are a church that could thrive at the intersection of tradition and transformation — where the faith of our ancestors meets the fresh wind of the Spirit. Our size is not a limitation but a gift: it allows us to know one another by name, care for one another by heart, and think together as a people who believe the Gospel still speaks with relevance and power.

 

We are unashamedly African American and unapologetically Christian.

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III. The Seven Pillars of Magnolia’s Flourishing

• Deepen Discipleship – Reclaim 7 inactive members and recruit 7 new ones.

• Nurture Well-Being – Embed Sabbath, rest, and pastoral care into church rhythm.

• Cultivate Leadership – Train and deploy leaders across all ministries.

• Expand Community Engagement – Be a bridge between rural and university contexts.

• Preserve Legacy, Inspire Innovation – Integrate history, technology, and art.

• Strengthen Financial Stewardship – 30 K Annuity; build a 3-month reserve; and expand the Building Fund to $10 K.

• Enrich Worship & Sacred Arts – Elevate music, liturgy, and creative expression as acts of liberation.

 

“Where there is no prophetic vision, the people perish.” – Proverbs 29:18