/EINPresswire.com/ -- NASHVILLE, TN--(Marketwired - Mar 23, 2017) - Mount Zion Baptist Church, Nashville's largest megachurch, is recognizing the 25-year pastoral legacy of its senior pastor, Bishop Joseph W. Walker III, by hosting a free benefit concert Friday, March 31 on behalf of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The concert will feature award-winning gospel artists, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Pastor Tasha Cobbs and Brian Courtney Wilson, and will include a special offering during which the artists will encourage concert attendees to give to St. Jude to support its pioneering work treating childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

The concert is part of Mount Zion's ongoing commitment to St. Jude. Last year, the congregation raised $60,000 for the hospital as a St. Jude's Sunday of Hope participant -- the largest amount raised by any participating church. For Bishop's anniversary celebration, the church hopes to exceed its current fundraising record during the special offering. All people are welcome to attend the concert, which takes place at Mount Zion's Old Hickory Boulevard location at 7 p.m. For more information, please visit www.mtzionnashville.org. Seating is open, and early arrival is recommended.

"I give honor to God for my extraordinary 25-year journey as Pastor of Mount Zion, and cannot think of a better way to celebrate than to support St. Jude," said Walker. "My wife, Dr. Stephanie Walker, and I are deeply committed to children's health. Dr. Steph is not only a neonatologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but the architect of our ChurchFit program to build a healthier congregation. And we are the parents of our beautiful little girl Jovanni, so we ache for and want to support all families whose children are facing the devastating illnesses that St. Jude helps to alleviate every day."

The Benefit Concert Artists
Pastor Donnie McClurkin, a three-time Grammy Award winner, has sold over 10 million gospel albums worldwide. He has been honored with 11 Stellar Awards, four BET Awards, four NAACP Image Awards, and three Dove Awards, and has also been a judge on BET's Sunday Best. Pastor Tasha Cobbs, known for her hit lead single "Break Every Chain," has been honored with a Grammy Award, three Stellar Awards and three Dove Awards for her vocal work. Grammy-nominee, Dove Award, and Stellar Award recipient, Brian Courtney Wilson is a favorite among gospel fans with radio hits such as "Already Here," "Awesome God" and "Just Love."

The 25^th Anniversary of Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III
Recognized as a man from humble beginnings from Shreveport, Louisiana, Bishop Walker is not just a pastor, he is a teacher, author, humanitarian, philanthropist, businessman, community leader. At the age of 24, he began his pastorate at Mount Zion with just 175 members. Early in his position, Bishop Walker could often be seen on local college campuses in Nashville, encouraging students to become the change they want to see in the world, which resulted in thousands of millennials becoming an integral part of the church's worship service. Using this grassroots method, Mount Zion's membership stands at 30,000 today.

For 25 years, Bishop Walker's stirring oratory and pastoral approach has captivated people of every age and from every walk of life. He believes that change is not only inevitable and necessary, but good. This approach is manifested in his embrace of the technological revolution that is defining the 21st Century. He is a firm believer that we should use the tools of modernity to serve God and one another. Bishop Walker also serves as the Presiding Bishop of Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International, which consists of hundreds of churches across the globe that are joined together by common doctrine.

About Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Mount Zion Baptist Church is a Word-centered ministry designed to evangelize the lost at any cost, equip and empower the people of God and provide holistic ministry to our community as well as the world. Seeking to minister to the total person, we are a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural ministry impacting the world in which we live with the uncompromising message of Jesus Christ. Committed to the spirit of excellence, we are striving to become an oasis of hope within the Nashville community by promoting and providing education and awareness, as well as financial independence. Mount Zion Baptist Church is one church located in the three locations and accessible virtually anywhere via mtzionanywhere.org to millions around the world.

Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III
25th Anniversary by the Numbers:

• 24 years old, Bishop Walker began his pastorate as Senior Pastor at Mt. Zion with 175 members
• 30,000 members today, growth rate of 2,000 per year
• 3 physical locations, 1 virtual church location www.mtzionanywhere.com
• 9 Books -- written by Bishop Walker on topics ranging from relationships, purpose to destiny.
• In 2012 -- Cofounder of ground-breaking, free fitness program, ChurchFIT to heal communities through mind, body and spirt -- to date 15,000 have participated
• In 2013 -- Appointed as the Presiding Bishop in the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, International.
• In 2014 -- Founded Nashville Unites, community initiative to address issues that divide communities.