Who We Are
Our Mission and Vision
Our Mission
To reach and influence the world through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, turning non-Christians into converts, converts into disciples and disciples into fruitful leaders who will lead others to Christ.
Our Vision
Our vision is to foster our community through worship, teaching and outreach. Working together with like – minded Believers to bring others to Christ, promoting spiritual and natural growth of the church and to equip the Body of Christ for God’s purpose; the edification of the church. To encourage one another in love and commit to the roles given to us for the greater good of God’s Kingdom.
History of Mt. Olive MBC
We’ve Come Thus Far By Faith
Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church was organized February 1956 at 3521 Rio Linda Blvd. in Del Paso Heights, California. The organizing of the church started with eleven people. It was moved, seconded and carried that we would use the name Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and that Rev. Mack Smith would be the pastor. In October 1956, we purchased the building at 920 Los Robles Blvd., Del Paso Heights, California, which is still our present location. In May 1960 Rev. Henderson White was called to be the pastor to Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. In 1976, Rev. Eugene J. Washington was made the Assistant Pastor and in 1986, Rev. Eugene Washington preached his first official sermon at Pastor of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist.
The Past
Mt. Olive has always been a staple in the Del Paso Heights community. Our doors opened in 1956 and many have attended, fellowshipped and even performed in this building. In 1966, the Legendary James Cleveland used Mt. Olive to perform in concert. From the early 1970’s through mid 1980’s, the Godfather of Soul, James Brown and the late actress Ja’Net Dubois most famously known for her role in the TV series Good Times would both frequently visit and fellowship at Mt. Olive whenever they would travel to Sacramento.
The Present
Over the years we have served our community faithfully and consistently and we still continue to serve. All weekly services are now 100% in-person have been reinstated since August of 2023. We continue to answer the call and minister to all as we are led by the Holy Spirit, and we continue offering both our in-person Worship Service and Live Stream viewing. Glory be to God!
As a church body, we’ve continued with our outreach ministries and annual events: Turkey Dinners For Families, Blessing Families for Christmas, Trunk or Treat, Vacation Bible School Youth On A Mission outings, feeding unhoused communities in the District 2 area and supporting families in need in general with food, clothing and support and referral services for mental health and employment.
Our scholarship ministry still continues to bless graduating high school students from our local and surrounding communities. The Eugene J. and Josie B. Washington Scholarship has blessed several students for the last 17 years, financially supporting students in colleges throughout the United States. Since 2007, we’ve been able to bless over 80 high school students with scholarships for attending 4 – year universities, community, technical and vocational colleges.
We were organized in 1956 and dedicated in 1968. We’ve come thus far by faith!
Pastor (Rev.)
Eugene J. Washington
Pastor (Rev.) Eugene J. Washington was born on May 4, 1940 in Wilmont, Arkansas. The sixth out of eight children, he was reared in a household that was surrounded by love and taught to always “fear” God which meant living a life pleasing to God and to always put God first. During his adolescent years, he would preach to and eulogize the animals in the neighborhood, imitating the ministers of the local community churches, not realizing at the time that one day this would be the calling that God would have on his life.
Pastor Washington attended and graduated from Eastside High School in Eudora, Arkansas. Following his graduation, moved to Chicago where he attended Chicago Cooley Vocational Training and School of Electronic Trade. Thereafter, having a desire to one day become a barber and entrepreneur, relocated to Sacramento, California in 1962. Here he attended Molar Barber College and American River College. Upon his graduation and completion of college, he began acting on his aspirations of being a barber with the focus of owning his very own barbershop on the horizon. During the course of Pastor Washington’s journey, he always remained faithful to his upbringing, being goal oriented and especially having a love for God. This same year, Pastor Washington joined and became a faithful active member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist
Church. Many of the offices he held were Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, choir member, Brotherhood Teacher, Junior Mission Teacher, Home Bible Study Teacher, Deacon, Trustee and Usher. The time soon came along when Pastor Washington was lead to attend Land Mark Missionary Baptist College and City Seminary Bible College, both of Sacramento, California. In 1975, he accepted his calling to the ministry and became the Associate Minister of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and soon thereafter the Assistant Pastor for 9 1⁄2 years. In March of 1986, Rev. Washington was appointed as Pastor and currently still presides as the shepherd of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. He has remained faithful to his calling as Pastor for last 38 years of his life.
Pastor Washington is currently married to the lovely First Lady Josie B. Washington and they have been united in holy matrimony for 58 years. He and his wife are community activists and have been pillars of the Del Paso Heights Community for the last 50 plus years. In 1994, Pastor Washington graduated as a Police Chaplin from the Sacramento Police Department and served as Chief Executive Officer and Law Enforcement Chaplaincy for Sacramento City Law Enforcement. Pastor Washington has traveled extensively, visiting many countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa as well as 42 states nationwide. He is the proud business owner and operator of Washington’s Barbershop. It has been in operation for the last 58 years and in 2006 was declared as a national landmark.
Pastor Washington, is a mighty man of God who not only preaches and teaches the word, but strives daily to live a life that’s pleasing to God. One of the most profound scriptures that he considers to be one of his favorites is Proverbs 3:5-6, his instruction for living daily. His love for Christ is shown through his love to serve others and to encourage all to give their lives to Christ. When asked what kind of preacher is he, he responds “I’m a gospel preacher”. He explains, because it’s not about religion or the denomination, but it’s about the relationship with Christ.