Meet Our Team

Rev. Dr. Olivia Stanard

Pastor

Greetings Mount Zion Baptist Church of Newark:
I first want to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to serve as the Pastor of this historic church. I have had the chance to speak with many of you and you have shared with me the beautiful stories of your generations of faith, family, and fellowship experienced at Mount Zion. I am looking forward to continuing the legacy of equipping and empowering this congregation through preaching, teaching, and professing the Word of God.

I previously served as the Executive Minister of Operations and Licensed Counseling Minister for Community Baptist Church of Englewood, NJ, under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Lester W. Taylor, Jr. In addition, I currently serve on the North Jersey District Missionary Baptist Association Permanent Council, which is charged with ordination for the District.

In the area of education, I received a Doctorate of Ministry in Leadership from Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University, in May 2015. I hold a Master of Divinity degree from New York Theological Seminary. My undergraduate degree is in Psychology from the Rutgers University of Newark. I am also a trained Certified Temperament Therapist in Family and Marriage Therapy, licensed by the New York Christian Counseling Center.

Before my vocational call to ministry, I was employed with United Airlines in the In-Flight Services Division as a Flight Attendant, Customer Service Specialist & Program Developer. After retirement, I worked as a counselor for the Northern New Jersey Child Health Consortium of Paramus, NJ, having the opportunity to author two guidebooks. I recently completed a series of empowerment programs for, Assignment H.O.P.E.-Helping Others Prosper & Excel, by offering seminars and workshops designed to bring healing and wholeness through the transformative work of Jesus Christ.

Again, I am excited about the door that God has opened for me to serve as your Pastor, and looking forward to serving in the City of God, which God loves.

Dr. Olivia Stanard, Pastor
Mount Zion Baptist Church of Newark