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.

Mount Olive Baptist Church red logo

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.

On October 9, 1966, our present Pastor, Rev. Norman L. Robinson, was called to Mount Olive Baptist Church. In 1976, the Church was formally incorporated, with more than 400 members. Under Rev. Robinson’s leadership, groundbreaking for a new church at 402 North West Street took place on October 31, 1976. By June 1978, members were worshiping in that new facility.

A steady increase in membership led to the building of the current facilities at 301 West Sanford Street. Construction began at 301 West Sanford on November 1, 1987. The first service in the new sanctuary was held on March 19, 1989, with the Ribbon Cutting and Entrance Celebration taking place on April 9, 1989.

Since that humble beginning, the Church has been blessed to have several God-driven ministers serve the Lord. The following is a list of ministers that have served as pastors of Mount Olive Baptist Church:

Rev. Squires 1897-1912 Rev. R. L. Jones 1935-1937
Rev. Samuel Luster 1912-1917 Rev. D. B. Brown 1937-1956
Rev. C. L. Huff 1917-1921 Rev. N. A. Bacon 1956-1958
Rev. Garment 1921-1923 Rev. O. V. Hall 1958-1966
Rev. Sample 1923-1925 Rev. N. L. Robinson 1966-1994
Rev. Ford 1925-1928 Rev. N. L. Robinson
(Senior Pastor)
1994-2017
Rev. W. O. Thomas 1928-1935 Rev. J. P. Thompson Jr. 1994-Present

Under the leadership of Senior Pastor N. L. Robinson, Mount Olive has grown not only in numbers, but also in the services it provides its members and the community. On February 21, 1980, Mount Olive opened its Day Care Center. On August 15, 1995, the church opened Metro Christian Academy, a school dedicated to training young people in Bible truths along with reading, writing, grammar, spelling, heritage studies, mathematics, foreign language, science, music, computers, and social studies skills. The Mount Olive Federal Credit Union opened on January 11, 1999. The Groundbreaking Ceremony for Arlington New Beginnings, a housing community for the elderly, was held on January 31, 1999 and the offices opened in November 1999. The first tenant moved into the housing project in January 2000.

In addition to its long history of providing worship and educational programs for its members, Mount Olive Baptist Church has maintained an innovative and active outreach program in the community. Celebrating a century of service in 1997, our spiritual Baptist church continues to uphold the values and traditions of its founders.

On October 9, 1966, our present Pastor, Rev. Norman L. Robinson, was called to Mount Olive Baptist Church. In 1976, the Church was formally incorporated, with more than 400 members. Under Rev. Robinson’s leadership, groundbreaking for a new church at 402 North West Street took place on October 31, 1976. By June 1978, members were worshiping in that new facility.

A steady increase in membership led to the building of the current facilities at 301 West Sanford Street. Construction began at 301 West Sanford on November 1, 1987. The first service in the new sanctuary was held on March 19, 1989, with the Ribbon Cutting and Entrance Celebration taking place on April 9, 1989.

Since that humble beginning, the Church has been blessed to have several God-driven ministers serve the Lord. The following is a list of ministers that have served as pastors of Mount Olive Baptist Church:

  • Rev. Squires 1897-1912
  • Rev. Samuel Luster 1912-1917
  • Rev. Samuel Luster 1912-1917
  • Rev. Garment 1921-1923
  • Rev. Sample 1923-1925
  • Rev. Ford 1925-1928
  • Rev. W. O. Thomas 1928-1935
  • Rev. R. L. Jones 1935-1937
  • Rev. D. B. Brown 1937-1956
  • Rev. N. A. Bacon 1956-1958
  • Rev. O. V. Hall 1958-1966
  • Rev. N. L. Robinson 1966-1994
  • Rev. N. L. Robinson (Senior Pastor) 1994-2017
  • Rev. J. P. Thompson Jr. 1994-Present

Under the leadership of Senior Pastor N. L. Robinson, Mount Olive has grown not only in numbers, but also in the services it provides its members and the community. On February 21, 1980, Mount Olive opened its Day Care Center. On August 15, 1995, the church opened Metro Christian Academy, a school dedicated to training young people in Bible truths along with reading, writing, grammar, spelling, heritage studies, mathematics, foreign language, science, music, computers, and social studies skills. The Mount Olive Federal Credit Union opened on January 11, 1999. The Groundbreaking Ceremony for Arlington New Beginnings, a housing community for the elderly, was held on January 31, 1999 and the offices opened in November 1999. The first tenant moved into the housing project in January 2000.

In addition to its long history of providing worship and educational programs for its members, Mount Olive Baptist Church has maintained an innovative and active outreach program in the community. Celebrating a century of service in 1997, our spiritual Baptist church continues to uphold the values and traditions of its founders.

What We Believe

Scripture-Based Teaching

We believe that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is inspired by God so that it is infallible in the original manuscripts and preserved by God in its verbal and plenary inspiration, so that it is a divinely authoritative standard for every age and every life (Matthew 5:18; I Corinthians 2:13; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:21). We believe that over the course of biblical history, God progressively reveals Himself to man through seven dispensations (Hebrews 1:1-2).

Innocence (Genesis 1:28), Conscience (Genesis 3:7), Human Government (Genesis 8:15), Promise (Genesis 12:1), The Law (Exodus 19:1), Grace or Church Age (Acts 2:1), Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:4).

We believe in one God that eternally exists and reveals Himself in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – having each the same nature, attributes and perfections, worthy of the same worship and confidence. (Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; John 1:1-2, 14, 10:30, 14:15-17; I Corinthians 8:6; II Corinthians 13:14). We believe in God as absolute and sole Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and that creation was by divine command, from nothing and not through an evolutionary process. (John 1:3, 10; Acts 17:24-25; Genesis 1:1). We believe that God, by His sovereign choice and out of love for men, sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ into the world to save sinners. (John 3:16; I Timothy 1:15; I John 4:14).
We believe that Jesus Christ was fully God in the flesh and fully man, that He was born of a virgin, and that He lived a sinless life, in which He taught and performed mighty works and wonders and signs exactly as revealed in the four gospels. We believe that He was crucified, shed His blood, died to pay the penalty for our sins and was raised bodily from the dead on the third day. Forty days later He ascended to the Father’s right hand where He is Head of the Church and intercedes for believers. From there He is coming again personally, bodily and visibly to this earth to set up His Millennial Kingdom. (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Hebrews 1:1-2, 7:25; Luke 1:30-35; Ephesians 4:8; John 1:1-5, 10-14, 14:3; Colossians 2:9; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:3,11; Revelation 20:4).
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person and is God, possessing all the divine attributes. He convicts of sin, regenerates, indwells, baptizes, and seals all believers at the moment of their salvation, filling them in response to their obedience with the goal of conforming them to the image of Christ. (John 3:5, 16:7-11; Acts 5:3-4; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30, 5:18; I Corinthians 6:19, 12:13).

We believe that humankind was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin, humanity fell, inheriting a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. We believe all humans are morally corrupt and cannot remedy their lost condition. (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 1:18, 3:23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12).

We believe that salvation is a gift of God and is received by man through personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin. We believe that man is justified by grace through faith apart from works and that all true believers, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever. (Acts 13:38-39; Romans 4:5, 6:23, 8:1, 38-39; John 10:27-29; Ephesians 2:8-9).
We believe that the true Church is composed of all persons who the Holy Spirit regenerates through saving faith in Jesus Christ; that they are united together in the body of Christ of which He is Lord and Head; and are commissioned for the God-given tasks of worshiping, fellowshipping, teaching, evangelizing, and exercising their spiritual gifts. (Acts 2:42, 47; Romans 12:5; Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:23-24; I Corinthians 12:12-14; II Corinthians 11:2). We believe that the establishment and continuance of the local Church is taught in the New Testament Scriptures. (Acts 14:27, 20:17, 28-32; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).

We believe the ordinances for the believer are water baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper as a memorial. They are, however, not to be regarded as a means of salvation. But both are evidence of obedience, identification, and fellowship with the Lord. At MOBC, we do not accept infant baptism or any baptism that occurs before the child believes for themselves. Additionally, the Lord’s Supper will not be served to any child whose baptism precedes their belief. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38, 41, 8:12, 35-38; Luke 22:19-20; I Corinthians 11:23-29).

We believe that a Christian should walk in holiness and not after the flesh, aiming to conform to the image of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As a new creation, walking in the Spirit, the Christian learns to grow in faith, obedience to Scripture, prayer, fellowship with the saints, and in a life of service. We believe that the Christian will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to have his life evaluated according to his deeds. (Galatians 5:16-26; Hebrews 10:25; Ephesians 4:20-24; Hebrews 11:6, 12:1-2; John 17:17; Ephesians 6:18; Romans 8:29; II Corinthians 5:10; I Corinthians 3:10-15).

We believe that the Church will be suddenly taken up into heaven to be with Jesus, which is distinct from the Second Coming, where Jesus returns to establish His earthly kingdom. We believe the Rapture is a pre-tribulation event, meaning it occurs before a period of tribulation on Earth. After the tribulation, Christ returns for His Second Coming to establish His earthly kingdom. (I Thessalonians 4:16-17; I Corinthians 15:51-52).

We believe in the personal, pre-millennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to everlasting glory and the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:51-52; Titus 2:11-13; John 14:1-6; Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:11-15; II Peter 3:10).

We believe marriage is defined as the legal union of one man and one woman as husband and wife. We also believe that only marriages between males and females, as ordained by God, are essential for the procreation of humankind. We believe that homosexual behavior and activity are inconsistent with Christian values and are classified as a sin according to the Holy Scriptures. The Mount Olive Baptist Church does not ordain nor recognize same-sex unions. (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:24; Leviticus 18:22; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 1:24-27).

We believe God has specific roles for men and women in the church. We believe that the office of minister as defined by the word of God is exclusively assigned to the men of the church. For this reason, Mount Olive does not recognize nor ordain women preachers, pastors, or ministers of any denomination (I Timothy 2:12-15; 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9).
We believe that sharing your monetary gifts with the church is a form of worship, and the amount thereof is dictated to the individual by the Holy Spirit. Mount Olive Baptist Church does not teach TITHING as a method of sharing monetarily with the church. (II Corinthians 9:6-9; Luke 6:38; Romans 6:14b).
A group of people in a Baptist church with their hands raised.
Hands holding an open bible on a wooden table in Mount Olive Baptist Church in Arlington, TX.

Meet The Staff

At Mount Olive Baptist Church

James P. Thompson Jr., Pastor 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 Minister at Mount Olive Baptist Church

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 at Mount Olive Baptist Church

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 at Mount Olive Baptist 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 at Mount Olive Baptist Church

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 at Mount Olive Baptist Church

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 at Mount Olive Baptist Church

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 at Mount Olive Baptist 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 at Mount Olive Baptist 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 at Mount Olive Baptist 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 at Mount Olive Baptist Church

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 at Mount Olive Baptist 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 at Mount Olive Baptist 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 at Mount Olive Baptist 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 at Mount Olive Baptist 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.

Brienna Lightfoot-Smith, Kids Zone Coordinator at Mount Olive Baptist Church

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 at Mount Olive Baptist Church

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 at Mount Olive Baptist Church

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.

Joanne Shankle, Executive Director Water from The Rock

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

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.

A gold circle with a quote on it, representing the values and teachings of a Baptist church.
“Beautiful building with modern facilities. Friendly people with knowledgeable teachers and preachers. Great choir!!”
Martha C.
“Great place to worship and grow, while you learn and share our GOD that we share in life!!!”
Mark M.
“A Bible believing, Bible teaching church where you’ll find beautiful friendly people. I love my church!!”
Susann M.
“It’s just a great feeling when it’s like going back home. The way my old church felt.”
Sylvia G.
“One of the very best churches to worship in the whole of Ft Worth-Dallas TX area.”
Danny B.