Who We Are
Mount Olive Baptist Church in Arlington, TX
We are proud of our rich history here at Mount Olive Baptist Church. In July 1897, a small group of African American Tarrant County residents, led by the Rev. Squires, organized Mount Olive Baptist Church on the old Sol Davis Tract on Indiana Street, near its present location. In 1966, Rev. Norman L. Robinson became the Pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church. Under his leadership, the church grew from 17 members to more than 10,000. Under the leadership of the church’s current pastor, James P. Thompson Jr., the church maintains the doctrinal belief that Jesus is the Christ and that eternal salvation belongs to all who confess Him as their Savior.
Our manner of preaching is expository and our worship style is classic, complete with choir and instrumental accompaniment. We believe in dispensation of God’s revelation of Himself toward humanity and the second coming of Jesus Christ. For us, the Bible is the word of God and is instructional in all matters of this life and hereafter.
We offer a variety of programs designed to involve every level of our congregation, from children to seniors. Our church serves all of Arlington and the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area with weekly worship services, Bible studies, classes, programs, live streams, and a multitude of ministries. We welcome you to join us and learn all about who we are here at Mount Olive Baptist Church.
Contact
Mount Olive
Baptist Church
301 W. Sanford St.
Arlington, TX 76011
Church History
Established in 1897
During the first week of July 1897, a small group of African American Tarrant County residents, led by the Rev. Squires, organized Mount Olive Baptist Church on the old Sol Davis Tract on Indiana Street, near its present location. The officers were:
- Bro. Charlie Parker
- Bro. Clint Smith
- Bro. R. S. Watson
- Bro. Jim Black
- Bro. Arthur Hunt
Later, the church moved to a white brick sanctuary at 415 North West Street under the leadership of its second Pastor, Rev. Samuel Luster. In 1958, Rev. O. V. Hall assumed the leadership role of Mount Olive Baptist Church. Under Rev. Hall’s leadership, the church at 415 North West Street was rebuilt.
What We Believe
Scripture-Based Teaching
Meet The Staff
At Mount Olive Baptist Church
James P. Thompson Jr.
Pastor
James P. Thompson Jr. serves as the Pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church. He has been a member since 1984. He joined the pastoral staff in 1990 and was elected Pastor in 1994. He currently serves in the capacity of providing spiritual leadership and pastoral care to the congregation. As well as fostering a culture of faith, love, and service for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
David Hogg
Executive Pastor
David Hogg has been a member since 1976. He joined the pastoral staff in 2008. He currently serves as the overseer of all spiritual aspects of the church’s ministries as given by God to the Pastor.
Michael Glaspie
Advisor to the Pastor
Michael Glaspie has been a member since 1982 and joined the pastoral staff in 1998. He currently serves as a pastoral consultant regarding the ministries of the church.
Tyrone Keels
Minister of Engagement and Edification
Tyrone Keels has been a member since 1992 and joined the pastoral staff in 2008. He currently serves in helping congregants transition from new converts to mature disciples of Jesus Christ.
Andre Allen
Director of Operations
Andre Allen has been a member of the church since 1984 and became part of the staff in 2020. He currently serves as the overseer of the facilities and operations of the church’s ministries, which includes property leasing, repairing, and maintaining the church main campus and other church properties.
Hilton Tolbert
IT Coordinator
Hilton Tolbert has been a member of the church since 2017 and became a member of the staff in 2023. He currently serves the church by maintaining and upgrading all the church’s information technologies, including hardware, software, and telecommunication technologies.
Rodney Higgs
Coordinator of Video and Event Technology
Rodney Higgs has been a member of the church since 1991 and became a member of the staff in 2021. He currently serves in the capacity of leading a team that fulfills the audio and visual services of the church.
Evan Jones
Creative Media Coordinator
Evan Jones has been a member of the church since 2021 and became a member of the staff in 2019. He currently serves as support for the audio, video, and digital media needs for the church.
Deadrick Harris
Director of Finance
Deadrick Harris has been a member of the church since 1993 and became a member of the staff in 2008. He currently serves as overseer of the financial assets and establishes the monetary policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems of the church.
Billy Zenn
Business Manager
Billy Zenn has been a member of the church since 1979 and became a member of the staff in 2018. He currently oversees the physical assets, and accounts payables of the church’s ministries.
Kenneth Parson
Director of Human Resources
Kenneth Parson has been a member of the church since 1978 and became a member of the staff in 2018. He currently serves as overseer of policies, new employee onboarding, benefits, employee relations, employment laws, and employment legislation for the church.
Ricky Moore
Music Minister
Ricky Moore has been a member of the church and staff since 1998. He currently serves in the capacity of providing spiritual leadership and guidance for the music ministry of the church.
Charles Powell
Minister of Education
Charles Powell has been a member of the church since 1989 and a member of the pastoral staff since 2005. He currently serves as overseer of the Christian education ministries of the church.
Patrick Taylor
Student Minister
Patrick Taylor has been a member of the church since 1985 and became a member of the pastoral staff in 2023. He currently serves as the overseer of our young students by providing spiritual leadership, development, and guidance of the student ministries at the church.
Corrice Myers
Young Adult Minister
Corrice Myers has been a member of the church since 1987 and became a part of the pastoral staff in 2017. He currently serves in the capacity of ministering to the spiritual needs of the young-adult congregants (ages 18 to 39), collegiate, single, or married.
Brieanna Lightfoot Smith
KidZone Coordinator
Brienna Lightfoot Smith has been a member since 1999 and became a member of the staff in 2023. She currently oversees the day-to-day operations of the church’s student ministry. She ensures that students, Kindergarten through 6th Grade, receive Bible-based teaching and discipleship.
Donna Wright
Administrative Assistant
Donna Wright has been a member of the church since 1982 and a member of the staff since 1994. She currently serves in providing administrative assistance to the church staff and ministries.
Teresa Currington
Executive Secretary to The Pastor
Teresa Currington has been a member of the church since 1983 and a member of the staff since 2006. She currently serves by providing executive administrative support for the Pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church.
JoAnn Shankle
Executive Director Water from The Rock
JoAnn Shankle has been a member of the church since 1989. She became the Executive Director of Water From the Rock, a non-profit auxiliary of the Mount Olive Baptist Church, in 2022. She oversees the staffing and operations of WFTR.
Charlotte Willis
Branch Manager of Mount Olive Baptist Church Federal Credit Union
Charlotte Willis has been a member of the church since 1991. She became the Branch Manager of the MOBC FCU in 2019. She oversees the membership services of the MOBC FCU’s membership.
“Beautiful building with modern facilities. Friendly people with knowledgeable teachers and preachers. Great choir!!”
“Great place to worship and grow, while you learn and share our GOD that we share in life!!!”
“A Bible believing, Bible teaching church where you’ll find beautiful friendly people. I love my church!!”
“It’s just a great feeling when it’s like going back home. The way my old church felt.”
“One of the very best churches to worship in the whole of Ft Worth-Dallas TX area.”