Leadership

Here at Mt. Zion Progressive it is our desire to be a support to our church family in every circumstance of life. Our goal is to meet all the needs of the people we serve. As Jesus Christ had his disciples, the Senior Pastor has a team of Associate Ministers to assist him in caring for the congregation and providing outreach services for the community.

Senior Pastor
Rev. Louis M. Murphy Sr.

Associate Ministers
Rev. Charles Ray
Min. Keith Murphy
Rev. Willie Whiting
Rev. Shawn Thomas
Min. Diane Hunt
Rev. Bobby Bailey
Min. Paul Mitchell

Rev. Charles Ray

Reverend Charles Ray, a native of St. Petersburg, has been in ministry for twenty-nine years. He and wife Annie have been married for twenty-seven years and have five children. Mt. Zion has been his church home since 2012 and when not working in ministry he is an Economic Development Consultant.

Executive Leadership
Marriage/Family Counseling
Couples Ministry
Therapeutic Sports Ministry

Rev. Keith Murphy

Reverend Keith Murphy, the brother of Mt. Zion’s Senior Pastor Louis M. Murphy, Sr. has been in ministry himself for twenty-three years, and a member of Mt. Zion since 1997. Originally from Deland, Florida, he and his wife Jewel have four children and one grandson.

Mt. Zion C.A.R.E. Ministry
(Choosing Addiction Recovery Efforts)

Rev. Willie Whiting

Reverend Willie “Tub” Whiting entered ministry shortly after joining Mt. Zion Progressive eighteen years ago. The divorced father of five (two boys and three girls), and ten grandchildren, is a lifelong resident of St. Petersburg, Florida. He entered ministry a year after joining Mt. Zion in 1994.

55+ Adult Ministry
Family Touch Team Ministry
Men’s Ministry
Security
Single’s Ministry
Transportation
Women’s Ministry

Reverend Shawn E.E. Thomas, MDiv.

Shawn has a passion to help transform the lives of youth and adults alike through ministry and missions that help bring real spiritual and social change to community.

Shawn relocated back to St. Petersburg from Atlanta, Georgia, where he was engaged in educational matriculation at Morehouse School of Religion by way of The Interdenominational Theological Center. As a result of this process, Shawn earned the Master of Arts degree in Divinity with a Concentration in Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care. Furthermore, Shawn completed one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education to help develop his abilities to holistically assist individuals.

Shawn Thomas serves as Youth Pastor of Mt. Zion Progressive Church where he is emphasizing upon children and youth the necessity of being Spiritually Connected, Socially Conscious, Smart and Cultured. Shawn is also an adjunct professor of World Religion at St. Petersburg College and also serves the State of Florida as a house speaker appointee on the Council for the Social Status of Black Men and Boys.

Shawn is a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He has his feet forward and eyes upward in expectation of the great things that God will do in his life. Shawn gets to spend his life with his beautiful wife Nik and their funny children.

Rev. Bobby Bailey

Reverend Bobby Maurice Bailey, has been a member of Mt. Zion since 2002 and has served in ministry since 1989 He is father to James, Maurice and Helen, and husband to his adoring wife Tangela. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, he has spent most of his life in the Tampa Bay area.

Intercessory Prayer Ministry

Min. Dane Hunt

Minister Diane Hunt joined the Mt. Zion family in 1991. She is originally from Atlantic City, New Jersey, and married to Everett Hunt, Sr. The couple has two sons, both married, and four grandchildren. Outside of ministry she is a County Appraiser.

Evangelism Ministry
Nursing Home Ministry
Prison Ministry

Min. Audwin Scott

Minister Audwin Lenard Scott to joined Mt. Zion in 2006 and was ordained in 2008. He and his wife Sharronah have 2 young children, Asijah and Alvin, an adult daughter, Karmeisha, and a 3 year-old grandson Antwan.

Touch Team Zone 4
Couples Ministry

Min. Paul Reginald Mitchell, III

Minister Paul Reginald Mitchell, III, is a life-long resident of St. Petersburg and has been a member of Mt. Zion since 1994; and a minister since the year 2000. He and his wife Mary Alice, who passed away April 2013, have one daughter.

Early Childhood (CYM)

Min. Eric Ford

Minister Eric Ford served as Youth Pastor and was instrumental in the implementation and success of Mt. Zion’s One80 Teen Ministry. He recently stepped down to pursue a career in law enforcement. Although he no longer oversees the teen ministry, he remains very visible and ready to lend a helping hand. He and his wife Ashley have one daughter.