Who We Are

We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve God and this wonderful church. Since our coming to Mt. Calvary, our lives have been changed in ways we never could have imagined. That is our hope for every person who connects with our church – whether in person or online – that your heart would be transformed by the love of God and His people, and that your life would be improved as you learn to apply His Word.

Our History

Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church is a Bible-teaching church with over a century of rich history.  Through the years, God has allowed our ministry to make a positive impact in the community and the surrounding area.  

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Our Pastor

Pastor John D. Sawyer, I felt the unction of my calling at an early age. I can remember as far back as 10-12 years old. As a youth, I always enjoyed hearing the taught and preached “Word of God” and sharing it with others-it excited me! Especially in Sunday School. I loved to answer questions, memorize the memory verse, and catechize the lesson before the entire youth and adult classes. While growing up in the church, others began to notice the call on my life but I really did not know how to respond or pursue the call that I felt to the preaching and teaching ministry. 

As I grew spiritually and physically, I continued to realize and recognize the call of God on my life to the preaching and teaching ministry but used the advice gathered in my earlier years as a crutch to move slowly (actually running from the calling). That is when God began to speak to me through my authorities (former pastor–TL Rogers); the mouths of others (prophecies and laymen in the church); situations and circumstances (dissatisfied when I had everything that any young man could ask for i.e. good job, personality, friends, great family, wife, new home, financial stability, name it I had it but yet there was a void); and most importantly through HIS WORD (Romans 12:4-8 & 1 Corinthians 12). After many struggles and life experiences, I realized the need to yield to the call and surrender my life to do the will of God. I finally realized that my calling was nothing that I was choosing to do but rather it was God through Jesus Christ calling me to the ministry (John 15:16). I could no longer resist my destiny or cause others to suffer because of my disobedience. As a result, I yielded and pursued and the Triumphant Baptist Church in Hyattsville, Maryland licensed me to preach the gospel on December 4, 1994. I held the title of Youth Minister and was responsible for preaching every third Sunday until I left the church in 1996.
 
Since that time, I experienced many changes and difficult moments in my life and joined the FBCG in 1998. In 1999, I was directed by my current pastor-John K. Jenkins to cease operating in my calling and gifting–for a season–to allow God to heal my heart and speak direction into my life experiences. I gracefully yielded, rededicated my life to Christ, and found that it was the best thing that I could have ever done because God used that time to not only heal and restore me but to build character in my life.
 
I truly believe that the difference between being called and chosen is your character (Matthew 22:1-14). Character is what distinguishes you from the “called” ones. I have learned that character is what you are willing to sacrifice or do to get you to where God wants you. God used that time to develop and challenge my character. Not only did God build character in my life, but He also reaffirmed my ministry and my calling in a way that words could not express. Just when I was about to give up, I felt that my season had passed and as a result of my bad choices and life experiences I was no longer qualified to minister…”BUT GOD”…out of nowhere began to open doors for me to minister in 2002.
 
God has called me to pastoral ministry. I believe that my call to pastoral ministry will involve my motivational gift of serving. Serving is what I do best. I am a faithful follower as well as a leader. I believe that God will use me as a senior pastor if He deems it necessary to do so.

Our First Lady

Lady Joice M. Sawyer, a native of Newark, New Jersey and a product of the East Orange NJ Public School System. After graduating from high school she continued her education at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, where she studied Rehabilitative Counseling. In 2002, she received a certificate in Biblical Studies from Calvary Bible Institute. In June 2003, she received a Bachelor of Ministry degree in Christian Counseling and in June 2005 she satisfied the course requirements for a Master of Theological Studies degree from National Bible Seminary. Since 1997, she has served faithfully in ministry as an Associate Minister of Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church in Washington, DC, under the tutelage and leadership of Pastors Alfred and Susie Owens.

Joice is an ordained Elder in the Mount Calvary Holy Churches, Inc. She previously served as Adjunct Professor at National Bible College and Seminary and currently serves as Adjunct Professor at Calvary Bible Institute; Assistant Instructor at Calvary Bible Institute; Director of the Adjutants Academy of the Mount Calvary Holy Churches; and has previously served as Team Leader and Secretary on the Evangelistic Board; member of the Budget Committee; and Assistant Sunday School Teacher of the Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church in Washington, DC.

In fulfilling one of her God given assignments, Joice currently hosts The Servant’s Call on Facebook Live and YouTube where she pours into servants of the Kingdom of God. Also, she is a contributing author in the book collaboration, Prepare for Purpose – Your Invitation to the Next Level. She enjoys broadway plays and spending time with family and friends. Joice is married to Pastor John D. Sawyer and serves alongside him at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Temple Hills, MD.

Our Leaders

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