Reverend Donald Givens, a native of Monroe, Louisiana accepted Christ at a young age while attending St Mary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Charlie H Reed. He graduated from Carroll High School of Monroe, attended Mary Holmes Junior College in West Point, Mississippi and Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, Louisiana and later joined the United States Air Force. After his service in the Armed Forces, he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he united with Jeremiah Missionary Baptist Church in 1984 under the leadership of Pastor Fred Boyd. In 1992, he was appointed to the Deacon Board at Jeremiah MBC and ordained as deacon October 3, 1993. He moved his family to Kansas City, and united with Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Emanuel A. Johnson, on January 5, 1997. Under the leadership of Pastor Johnson, he was appointed to actively serve on the Deacon Board and Finance Committee until he accepted God’s call to preach in May 1999. Reverend Givens preached his initial sermon on June 13,1999. He was ordained on May 10, 2001. He served faithfully as an associate minister of Mount Vernon MBC from May 1999 to June 2004. On July 1, 2004, he accepted the task given by God to serve as pastor of the Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church. To further his education, he has attended Western Baptist Bible College and is currently enrolled at Carver Baptist Bible College. He is married to the former Patricia A. Brown. This marriage has been blessed with two children, Donald Givens Jr. and Temeka Givens. Reverend Givens is a devoted husband, a loving father, a faithful follower of Christ and a lover of God and mankind.

Contact Pastor Givens here.

Glorifying Jesus Christ with his life, while touching others with the gospel; Reverend Dr. Emanuel A Johnson has been pastor of Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church since 1969. And, he says his task is not finished. The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad. We are a church on the move, and we have come a mighty long way. The church’s journey began a new chapter in the late 1950s, when it moved near the corner of 39th and Prospect in the former Oak Park Theater. Modest beginnings in the old red and beige brick building have been overshadowed by growth, expansion and results. The church now owns four buildings in the 3900 block of Prospect, where its offices, church sanctuary, fellowship hall, and learning center are located. Mount Vernon’s purchase of property along the block is part of its goal of cleaning up the corner of 39th and Prospect, which has been known for its drug activity. I had a vision about the second year of my pastorship that someday this corner would be changed from what it was to a better corner and that the church must stay here. God had given me a vision that we would survive on this corner. Mount Vernon has done more than survived on the corner. It has thrived, fueled by the passion of accomplishing Reverend Johnson’s vision. God has blessed us. We’ve been able to acquire all of this block except the liquor store. We asked God for the whole block. We’re in prayer for the whole block. He’s given it all to us except the liquor store. I have a feeling that soon he’s going to give us that and all of this will be church property.

Reverend Johnson wants the block and Mount Vernon to be a place where kids can come to find refuge and rest. The church’s fellowship hall already includes a gymnasium where area children can exercise and play. And at the church’s leaning center young people stay busy with activities and classes, including computer training. Also Mount Vernon leases it fellowship hall out to other churches for events, strengthening the Godly presence on the block with an influx of others from the city Christian community. The corner of 39th and Prospect is 100 percent better through the work of the church and the community action group known as Move-Up.

At age 81 (2005), Reverend Johnson says that it is only the Lord who allows him to press on. And he says he’ll keep serving as long as he can. When I can’t produce, I’ll get the rocking chair and push some young man so he can get in here and carry on. Reverend Johnson retired and his successor is the Reverend Donald Givens.

In 2007, our friend and father in the Gospel of Christ passed away. 

Memorial Page

Rev. Oscar S. Jones (O.S. Jones) was the second pastor of the Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church. He attended Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. Rev. Jones was called into the ministry in 1925. He also pastored in Tutwiler, Mississippi before moving to Kansas City. In 1950, he united with Morning Star Baptist Church under the pastoral of Rev. Daniels. Rev. Jones served as an associate minister Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. W. W. Horton. It was the wish of Rev. Horton that Rev. Jones succeed him after his death. Rev. Jones was called and installed on the 4th Sunday in February, 1936 and remained until his death in 1969 serving for 33 years. During his service, Rev. O. S. Jones also served as Vice Moderator of the Union District Association for 14 years, Vice President of the State of Missouri Convention for a number of years, President of the Sunday School and B. T. U. Congress of the Sunshine District Association and was Vice President at the time of his death. He was married to Inez E. Kirkwood.

In September 1931, Reverend W. W. Horton asked the membership of Highland Avenue Baptist Church, “If anyone wants to hear me preach, follow me,” giving birth to the Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church. The first services were held in a Presbyterian Church located at 17th and Paradeway. Reverend Horton hosted a ten night revival. From this revival the church grew in members. Later, the church membership grew until the building was too small. Mount Vernon moved to the first floor of the UBF Hall located at 14th and Michigan in December 1931. In the summer of 1935, Reverend Horton became ill. He sent for a young minister, Reverend O. S. Jones, to carry on for him. On November 28, 1935, Reverend Horton passed from labor to reward. Under the leadership of Reverend Horton, Mount Vernon accomplished many things with the help of the Lord.