Mount Hope Baptist Church is blessed to be under the leadership of the awesome and dynamic +Bishop H. Donald Bates, Pastor. His bold, uncompromising delivery of the unadulterated Word of God resonates deeply with all who hear him. A native of Baltimore and a product of Shiloh Christian Community Church, +Bishop Bates is a powerful preacher and a passionate shepherd committed to guiding souls by any means necessary.

Standing faithfully beside him is his beloved wife, First Lady Karen Bates—a Spirit-filled, God-fearing woman who shines as a true example of Christian stewardship and grace. Her support, wisdom, and ministry presence are deeply felt and cherished throughout the Mount Hope family.

If you’re seeking spiritual guidance and a message that’s powerful yet easy to understand, look no further than the teachings of +Bishop Bates and the dedicated preaching staff at Mount Hope Baptist Church.
Come and experience the word, the worship, and the warmth.

“Well done, good and faithful servant…” – Matthew 25:23

The late Dr. Edward L. Payne was a beloved member of Mount Hope Baptist Church for 29 years, faithfully serving for 21 of those 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, and in 2007, he was elevated to the office of Elder—a testament to his unwavering commitment to the calling of ministry.

His academic and spiritual dedication led him to earn multiple theological degrees, including:

A Doctor of Ministry (2000) from Family Bible College and Seminary

A Master of Divinity

A Bachelor of Theology

Dr. Payne served Mount Hope in many capacities, including:

President of the New Life Ministry

President of the Male Chorus

Faithful member of the Voices of Mount Hope Choir

Until his transition from Labor to Reward, Dr. Payne poured his heart into the work of the Lord, both in word and in song.

He was often heard proclaiming:

“I'm just a nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody who can save anybody.”

And he believed it wholeheartedly.

Dr. Payne’s life and ministry left a profound impact on everyone who knew him. His wisdom, humility, and faithful spirit will be dearly missed—and he will forever live 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

Elder Georgette Trent Pettit is a devoted member of Mt. Hope Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, where she faithfully serves under the leadership of Bishop H. Donald Bates. A graduate of Forest Park High School and Strayer University, she also attended the Baltimore School of the Bible, where her theological foundation was deepened.

With a heart for service and a passion for God’s people, Elder Pettit has served across numerous church ministries, including the Usher Board, Prayer Band, Music Ministry, and as the Organizer and Leader of the Women’s Fellowship. She has also served on the Diaconate and has taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Bible Study.

After 32 years of dedicated service, Elder Pettit retired from the Maryland Department of the Environment. When reflecting on her time there, she is reminded that even in her professional career, God positioned her for ministry—allowing her to organize and faithfully lead the department’s Bible Study group.

Though retired from her secular career, she remains deeply active in ministry. Alongside her twin sister, Elder Georgia Colbert, she co-founded the Twin Ministry—a Spirit-led outreach that serves nursing homes, supports bereavement care, and preaches and teaches the Gospel wherever there is need.

Elder Pettit is the grateful mother of two, Terrell and Jennifer, and the overjoyed grandmother of Elijah and Madelyn. She lives by the challenge God has given every believer: to love and to let their light shine.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:35
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16

Elder Keon Hayes, born and raised in the heart of Baltimore, is a proud son of Mount Hope Baptist Church. Educated in the Baltimore City Public School System, he was musically groomed at the prestigious Baltimore School for the Arts and received private instruction from three world-renowned musicians in the disciplines of Low Brass (Tuba), Classical and Jazz Piano, and Orchestral Performance. His musical anointing is matched by a powerful preaching gift that bridges both worship and the Word.

Called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in his teens, Elder Hayes brings a distinct voice to the pulpit. Shaped during the technology renaissance of the 1990s, his formative years forged a unique lens on Socio-Christian expectations—reflected in his animated, expository preaching style that connects across generations.

He was officially ordained as an Elder in August of 2025, affirming his lifelong call to ministry and the body of Christ.

Elder Hayes is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and a Master of Divinity at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, with plans to continue toward a Doctor of Practical Theology. In addition to his ministerial and academic pursuits, he also holds a degree in Mortuary Science from CCBC Catonsville.

Theologically, his foundation is rooted in historic premillennialism, with a strong emphasis on the Pauline epistles for both personal and corporate spiritual understanding. A hallmark of his preaching is his intentional use of biblically rooted language—referring to believers who have died as having "fallen asleep," drawn from 1 Corinthians 15:18, exemplifying his commitment to biblical accuracy and reverence.

Elder Hayes is a dynamic expository preacher and an anointed minister of music, known for sound doctrine and Spirit-led worship. His heart burns with a vision to one day pastor in a community where evangelism is not just an event but a lifestyle.

He holds firm to this conviction: There is only one gospel—the gospel of Jesus Christ. Anything else is just noise in the kingdom. If it doesn’t edify Christ, it’s not preaching. If it doesn’t draw men to Jesus, it’s not preaching. And if it’s not rooted in the love of Jesus, it’s not preaching.

Elder Donald Thomas is, by every measure, one of the most powerful and prolific men of God you will ever encounter. With decades of life and ministry experience, he carries a deep well of wisdom, compassion, and spiritual insight into every setting he enters.

Elder Thomas is uniquely gifted in the ministry of encouragement—often able to uplift hearts and strengthen spirits with just a few Spirit-led words. His approach to the Word is both practical and profound, marked by an uncanny ability to make Scripture come alive in ways that are personally relevant and spiritually transformative.

He was officially ordained as an Elder in August of 2025, affirming his calling and commitment to serve the body of Christ with excellence and integrity.

Hearing the Word of God through Elder Thomas is more than receiving a message—it’s stepping into a moment of transformation. His deep love for people, paired with his clear, applicable teaching style, will not only bless your life but deepen your faith, strengthen your character, and renew your purpose in Christ.