Mount Hope is under the leadership of the awesome and dynamic +Bis H. Donald Bates, Pastor.  Standing beside +Bis. Bates is a Spirit filled God-fearing woman that is A shining example of what Christian stewardship should be, and that is none other than First Lady Karen Bates. 

+Bis. Bates is a native of Baltimore coming from the Shiloh Christian Community Church and has no problem preaching the unadulterated word of God by any means needed. 

If you are looking for spiritual guidance, a word delivered in a simple to understand format - look no further than the teachings of +Bis. Bates and the wonderful congregation of the Mount Hope Baptist Church preaching staff. 

The late Dr. Edward L. Payne was a member of the Mount Hope Baptist Church for 29 years. He served for 21 years as an associate minister under the divine leadership and pastorate of Rev. Dr. H. Donald Bates. 

Dr. Payne was licensed and preached his initial sermon in 1996; in 2007 elevated to the position of Elder.  

Dr. Payne held an earned Doctor of Ministry degree received in 2000 from Family Bible College and Seminary and also held an earned Master of Divinity and a Bachelor of Theology Degree.   Dr. Payne served as president of the New Life Ministry, President of the Male Chorus and member of the Voices of Mount Hope choir until his transition from Labor to Reward

Dr. Payne was often heard saying I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody who can save anybody and he believes this whole heartedly.  Dr. Payne will be missed by all that knew him. He will forever be in our hearts. 

Associate Minister of Mt. Hope Baptist Church

Elder Georgia Perry-Colbert has devoted her life to God in true worship and desire to be used to motivate, inspire, and arouse the Body of Christ to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.  Elder Colbert received her education in the Baltimore City Public School and graduated from Forest Park in 1975.  She attended the Community College of Baltimore for Early Childhood Education.   Elder Colbert became a member of the Mt. Hope Baptist Church in 1989.  She was the teacher for the Youth Sunday School and the Weekly Youth Bible Study.  She is the Annual Director of Mt. Hope’s Vacation Bible School.  In June 1993, she graduated from the Baltimore School of the Bible, with certifications in Advanced Church Ministries, and Foundational Church Ministries.   Elder Colbert has attended various local Bible Colleges. 

Elder Colbert accepted the call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in August 1995.  She is the designated Worship Leader for Mt. Hope Baptist Church Weekly Sunday Service.  She has ministered at Women Conferences and other services locally. On June 15, 2007, she was ordained as an Elder in the Mt. Hope Baptist Church.   Currently, she is the Director of the Bless a Sister in Christ (BASIC) Women’s ministry.  

Elder Colbert and her twin sister, Evangelist Georgette T. Pettit founded the Twin Ministry.  This ministry was birth out of the need to serve bereaved family and friends.  Prior to the Pandemic they ministered twice a month at Lochern Future Care and Rock Glen Nursing Facility.  

Elder Colbert is married to Robert Colbert, she has one son, daughter in love and two Grandchildren.  Her foundational Scripture is Romans 8:28 “For we know that all things work together for good for those who love God for those who are the called according to His purpose.  

To God Be the Glory

Evangelist Georgette Trent Pettit is a current member of the Mt Hope Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD where she serves under the leadership of Bishop H. Donald Bates.  Evangelist Pettit is a graduate of the Forest Park High School, Strayer University and she attended the Baltimore School of the Bible. 
She enjoys serving God and the people of God and has served on Church ministries to include: the Usher Board, Prayer Band, Music Ministry, Organizer and Leader of the Womens’ Fellowship, Diaconate, Taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Bible Study. 
Evangelist Pettit retired from the Maryland Department of the Environment after 32 years.  When she reflects on her tenure there: God reminds her of the work she did for Him.  She organized and was a faithful member of the MD FDepartment of the Environment’s Bible Study Group. 
Although retired, she continues her Outreach Ministry along with her Twin sister - Elder Georgia Colbert.  Go led them to establish the Twin Ministry which serves Nursing Homes, Bereavement Needs and Preaching/Teaching the Gospel where needed. 
Evangelist is the grateful mother of  two;  Terrell and Jennifer and the overjoyed grandmother of Elijah and Madelyn.  
Evangelist Pettit lives by and loves the challenge God has for all believers to Love, and Let their Light Shine: 
>John 13:35…By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. >Matthew 5:16… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is heaven.

Minister Keon Hayes, a Native of Baltimore is the youngest member of the Ministerial Staff and serves as the Minister of Music and Arts. Educated in the Baltimore City Public School System, he was groomed in music at the Baltimore School for the Arts and privately instructed by three world renowned musicians in the areas of Low Brass (Tuba) Classical and Jazz Piano, and Orchestral Performance. Called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in his teens and experiencing the pressures of society during the technology renaissance of the 90's gives him a unique perspective on Socio-Christian expectations and this perspective is heard in his animated style of expository preaching.

His eschatological foundation centers around historic premillennialism and the views of Paul letters to the church for both  personal and corporate understanding. Min. Hayes frequently uses phrasing such as “fallen asleep” to describe believers who have died but still await the return of Christ as stated in 1 Cor 15:18. 

Min. Hayes has a degree in Mortuary Science (CCBC Catonsville) and currently attending Liberty University seeking to earn a Masters of Divinity and will further his education with a Doctor of Practical Theology.