Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church sits on Tannehill Lane in East Austin, a stretch of roadway tucked between the neighborhoods that have shaped this side of the city for generations. On any given Sunday the building fills with a steady flow of worshipers moving between two morning services, the upstairs student ministry, and a wing called Promise Land where children from six months through fifth grade learn three basic truths: God made me, God loves me, and Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Greater, as members call it, has become a hub for contemporary worship, practical Bible teaching, and a wide array of ministries that reach well beyond the Sunday morning hour.
Lead Pastor Gaylon Clark and his team describe the church's focus in simple terms. Greater aims to know God and grow spiritually through relevant Bible teaching, vibrant worship, and intentional relationships. Six values shape everyday life at the church: Pray First, rely on God's Word rather than personal opinions, do life together, expect great things from God, surprise people with kindness, and keep things casual. The church's motto is Greater Days Are Ahead.
Two Sunday Mornings on Tannehill Lane
Greater offers two Sunday services, one at 9:45 AM and another at 12:00 PM, both available in person and online. Each service runs about an hour and a half. The flow is the same in both rooms, and Lead Pastor Gaylon Clark typically preaches at one while Assistant Pastor Vecente Coatney or another member of the preaching team ministers at the other. Worship is led by a band and a praise team that sing contemporary songs with traditional hymns woven in, producing a blended style that keeps the old and the new side by side.
First-time guests can take advantage of premium parking just steps from the main entrance. The parking crew watches for hazard lights and directs visitors into those reserved spots before guiding them into the lobby. Inside, an information center is staffed to answer questions and point people toward children's check-in, small groups, or whatever next step fits.
Visitors are asked to arrive about ten minutes early to allow for parking. The dress code is intentionally relaxed; the church tells guests, Please do not buy anything special to worship with us. Giving is what members do, and first-time visitors are not expected to put anything in the offering.
On the third Sunday of every month, the 9:45 AM service includes a Baptism Celebration. Anyone interested in being baptized must first attend a baptism class at 9:00 AM that morning.
What Greater Believes
Greater's statement of faith is detailed and clearly Baptist in its contours. The Bible is described as God's word to all people, written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, inerrant in its teaching, and the source of all belief and daily living. The church affirms the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each fully God. Jesus Christ is confessed as the eternal Son who became fully human through the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin, rose again on the third day, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return physically to establish God's eternal kingdom.
Salvation is a free gift received through faith in Jesus Christ; no amount of self-improvement or good works can earn it. Baptism is reserved for those who have personally accepted the gospel and is performed by immersion as a picture of death and resurrection with Christ. The church holds that true believers are eternally secure, kept by God's power, while acknowledging that obedience is evidence of an authentic conversion. Greater also teaches that God heals in three ways: miraculously through prayer, medically through doctors, and eternally through physical death that releases the spirit from an ailing body.
One distinctive note appears in the statement on Women in Ministry. Greater teaches that women can preach, teach, and lead across a wide range of ministry roles, but the offices of pastor and deacon are reserved for men, based on the church's reading of passages such as 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Timothy 3.
Promise Land: Where Children First Meet Jesus
Greater's children's ministry, branded as Promise Land, is one of the church's signature offerings. Programming runs from infants at six months through fifth grade, divided into four age groups. Nursery and Toddlers cover six months to three years. Preschoolers learn through a fun, engaging, age-appropriate curriculum. Kindergarteners discover God's love through interactive worship, Bible lessons, and creative small group activities. Elementary students in first through fifth grade participate in small group lessons and high-energy interactive worship designed to cultivate a relationship with God.
Each group builds on three basic truths: God made me, God loves me, and Jesus wants to be my friend forever. The progression is intentional, moving from inciting wonder in infants, to creating curiosity in preschoolers, to provoking discovery in kindergarteners, to cultivating relationship in elementary students.
Children's church is offered during the 9:45 AM service. Check-in runs from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM at the Promise Land station in the lobby, where each child receives a claim tag that must be presented at pickup. For safety, only adults at least 18 years old may drop off or pick up a child, and food allergies or special instructions are recorded in the system at check-in. The ministry welcomes children with special needs and makes assistants available on request.
Parents are treated as the primary spiritual influence in a child's life. Greater recommends the Parent Cue app to help families build faith rhythms at home, and a weekly age-appropriate worship experience is available online from nursery through fifth grade. Each August, children are promoted to the next grade level following a Promotion Ceremony. For families wanting to dedicate a young child to the Lord, the church offers a Child Dedication Ceremony that includes a parenting class to walk through God's plan for raising godly children.
Greater Students on the Second Floor
Middle and high school students have their own space on the second floor of the Tannehill Lane campus. The Greater Students worship service meets every Sunday at 9:45 AM and follows a familiar rhythm: welcome, praise and worship, interactive games, teaching, and small groups. The ministry is built around four words, Real, Relevant, Relational, Reaching, and is committed to helping students own their faith in Christ rather than ride on the faith of their parents.
Middle school small groups are led by adults who make a year-long commitment to invest in their students. These leaders stay in touch through texting, social media, social activities, and school events. High school small groups are designed to nurture each student as they live out their faith in their schools and communities. Parents are positioned as the primary disciple-makers, with the church coming alongside to support them.
Students keep up with the ministry through dedicated Instagram and Facebook pages, and the parent ministry encourages adults to invest in their teenager's life both at church and at home.
Rooted: A Ten-Week Journey into Discipleship
Small groups, called Discipleship Groups, are central to life at Greater. The cornerstone experience is Rooted, a ten-week small-group journey designed to connect participants to God, the church, and their God-given purpose. Each group includes 10 to 15 people from all walks of life who meet weekly to explore the Bible, engage in prayer and serve experiences, share their personal stories, and practice seven spiritual rhythms modeled on Acts 2: daily devotion, prayer, breaking strongholds, sacrificial generosity, community service, sharing your story, and worship.
Rooted is open to anyone 18 and older and costs $20, which covers the curriculum book, group experiences, and a graduation celebration. Scholarships are available. Groups can meet in person, hybrid, or virtually, though the church asks that groups gather in person as much as possible. Discipleship groups are offered three times a year, beginning in February, May, and September. After Rooted, groups may continue with curriculum that walks through books of Scripture and key themes of the Christian faith.
For those looking for shorter commitments or a different focus, Greater also runs Circles of Greatness, a ten-week small-group model with eight to ten people who meet weekly to share life, study God's Word, and support one another. Sunday groups typically meet from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, while evening groups meet from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM in homes across Central Texas.
Women, Men, and Marriage Gatherings
Greater runs dedicated ministries for women, men, and married couples, each with its own rhythm of monthly gatherings and ongoing fellowship.
Greater Women gather monthly from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The gatherings are designed as a place for women to pause from the many roles they carry, work, family, caregiving, relationships, ministry, and to share honest conversation, spiritual encouragement, and practical wisdom. The women's ministry also includes Bible studies, special events, and fellowship groups throughout the year.
Greater Men meet monthly from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The format centers on real conversation about life, faith, pressure, purpose, and what it means to live as a man of integrity. Brotherhood, accountability, and practical wisdom are the core values. The men's ministry frames its mission simply: if we can change the heart of men we can change the heart of our church and our city.
The Marriage Ministry hosts monthly gatherings from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM for couples at any stage. Each meeting includes honest conversation and practical teaching focused on healthy communication, deepening friendship, and building a Christ-centered marriage. The ministry's stated aim is to help couples have strong marriages and families that create healthy communities and churches.
The Pastoral Team at Greater
Lead Pastor Gaylon Clark leads Greater with an emphasis on practical, everyday-ministry preaching. He frequently references current events, movies, and influential figures alongside Scripture, and his sermons walk through books of the Bible verse by verse. Recent series have worked through Acts, Genesis, Colossians, and Isaiah, with titles like Blessed to BLESS, Living Proof, Powered for This, and Interrupted by Jesus.
Assistant Pastor Vecente Coatney preaches regularly and carries a substantial share of the Sunday teaching load. His sermons include Too Good to Be True from Acts 12, Strength for the Struggle from 2 Corinthians 12, Protect Your Peace from Isaiah 26, and Break the Barrier from Acts 10. The preaching team also includes Pastor Damon Halliday, Rev. Chris Simmons, Rev. Denise Pierce, Rev. DeVry Anderson, Rev. Keiko Anderson, Dr. Marvin Jennings, Dr. Brandon Jones, Denise Sockwell, Alicia Garrett, Alysia Friday, and Jady Griffin.
Dr. Brandon Jones serves as Student Pastor, leading the middle and high school ministry on the second floor. Jessica Andrew directs the children's ministry, building out the nursery through fifth-grade programming under the Promise Land brand. Kim Walker leads Membership Engagement, helping newcomers find their place. Robyn Grant directs production for worship services and the broader media ministry.
Preaching Through Acts and Beyond
The preaching calendar at Greater has worked through extended series that move book by book. Recent teaching has walked through Acts under the title Acts: Jesus Continues, working from Acts 1 through Acts 12 and connecting the early church's story to modern Christian witness. Other recent series include Rebranding Worship, which explored worship through Genesis and Colossians, and Reclaiming What Matters Most, which traced themes of courage, clarity, and joy through 1 Samuel, Mark, and Psalms.
Sermons are recorded each week and archived on the church's media page. Visitors can browse messages by preacher, series, topic, or book of the Bible, with topics ranging from Anxiety and Identity to Stewardship, Grief, Pentecost, and the Fruit of the Spirit. Services are livestreamed on Sunday mornings through the Greater app and the church's media page, and a wide library of previous messages is available on demand.
Worship that Blends Old and New
Worship at Greater is led by a band and a praise team, with a style the church describes as contemporary but blended. Contemporary songs anchor most services, while traditional hymns are sprinkled in to give worshipers a touch of the old alongside the new. The music team operates under Director of Production Robyn Grant and is part of the broader Creative Arts ministry of the church.
The church's teaching on worship extends well beyond Sunday morning music. Pastor Clark has preached on worship as a way of life, teaching that gathered worship is the practice, the church, small groups, singing, prayer, and Scripture, while scattered worship is the game, the way faith is lived out Monday through Saturday at work, at home, and in the neighborhood.
Mentors, Grief Support, and Digital Literacy
Greater's outreach reaches beyond its own walls. The church partners with Huston-Tillotson University to recruit mentors, asking volunteers to give just five hours a month to encourage, guide, and invest in a college student's future. Mentors share experiences, wisdom, and support, helping students navigate challenges and reach their goals.
For those walking through loss, Greater hosts Let's Talk About Grief, a session that addresses grief as it touches family, finances, divorce, and the loss of dreams. The gathering emphasizes that grief is a process that cannot be rushed, but can be navigated through acknowledgment, support, and the work of healing and rebuilding.
Senior adults can attend a Digital Literacy Class that teaches practical skills for smartphones, tablets, and computers: how to send email and text messages, stay safe online, access apps and online resources, and get answers to common technology questions. The class is friendly and hands-on, with space limited and registration required.
The church has also hosted a Concert of Prayer, an evening of guided prayer, worship, and intercession for the church, families, the community, and the nation. While not a weekly rhythm, the gathering brings members together across generations to seek God's presence and believe for renewal, healing, and breakthrough.
Black Business Month and the GMZ Business Directory
Each August, Greater hosts a Business Empowerment Summit in recognition of National Black Business Month. The Vendor Marketplace invites entrepreneurs to build meaningful connections and gain encouragement alongside fellow business owners. Past themes have included Yet Still I Rise, honoring the resilience, creativity, and strength of Black entrepreneurs.
Year-round, the church maintains the GMZ Business Directory, a curated list of small businesses owned by members of the Greater community. Categories range from auto detailing and catering to counseling, financial services, IT services, legal services, photography, videography, and health and wellness. Featured listings include Aligned and Well Apothecary, American Marriage Ministry and Weddings, Boolean Inc, Dr. Darlene Ephriam's Financial Services through Primerica, Foundry House Media, Greater YMCA Therapy and Counseling, HireFullStackDeveloperIndia, IMAGINE LIFE financial marketing, Legal Services and Financial Services, Lifespring Chiropractic, and Sassy Sweet Treats by Bourgiebakes.ml.
The directory explicitly states that Greater Mt. Zion Church makes no warranty regarding any information, services, or products listed and is not a means of solicitation. Members and visitors are encouraged to use practical judgment when evaluating any business shown.
Giving, Prayer, and the Greater App
Greater teaches that giving is an act of worship and a faith decision. Tithing, the Old Testament standard of ten percent, is presented as the minimum for followers of Jesus, with believers encouraged to give sacrificially above and beyond the tithe. The church quotes 2 Corinthians 8:7 to frame giving as a grace in which believers should excel.
Four ways to give are listed. Gifts can be placed in the offering bucket during weekend services using envelopes available in the worship center. Online giving is available through Pushpay. Text-to-give works by texting GMZAUSTIN to 77977. Gifts can also be mailed to the church at 4301 Tannehill Lane, Austin, TX 78721.
For ongoing connection, the Greater app is available through the church's media page. It delivers livestreamed services, sermon archives, event registration, small-group sign-ups, and church news to a phone or tablet. Prayer requests can be submitted online, and the Church Community Builder (CCB) platform serves as the hub for the church's online community, allowing members to update their contact information, view their giving history, find groups, and sign up for volunteer opportunities.
A Place to Begin
Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church meets at 4301 Tannehill Lane in East Austin, a campus that hosts two Sunday services, a children's wing, a student ministry, Rooted discipleship groups, monthly men's, women's, and marriage gatherings, and an active calendar of community outreach. The church's motto, Greater Days Are Ahead, captures both the optimism of the congregation and the church's commitment to growth in every direction: deeper in Scripture, deeper in relationship, and deeper in service to Austin and beyond.