Today we’d like to introduce you to Zion City Of David Church.
Zion, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Samantha Montoya, and I wanted to share the story of my church, Zion City of David. I never really understood what it meant to have a personal relationship with God. Even though I was baptized at age fifteen, I didn’t grasp the spiritual meaning behind it or what it truly meant to follow Christ. My spiritual journey began to change in college when a fellow student invited me to Mount Zion Remnant Fellowship, which is now known as Zion City of David Church. I quickly accepted the invitation, even though I knew very little about Scripture or Christian living.
My pastor encouraged me to keep coming, assuring me that in time, God would open my understanding. A married couple from the church began driving me to services and Bible studies, and their consistency helped me stay planted. Through devotionals, monthly fasting and prayer, and various church programs, I slowly began to grow spiritually and develop a hunger for God’s Word.
On some Saturdays, the women of God and our pastor held prayer and exhortation sessions, and I fully participated in the exhortation and prayers. Those gatherings strengthened my faith and deepened my desire to seek God. During one summer, our pastor led a youth program where we, the youth, took turns giving exhortations—an experience that built my confidence in sharing God’s Word. As I continued attending and praying, the Holy Spirit eventually filled me, and I began to speak in tongues. From that moment, I knew my life had changed forever.
I first started serving by collecting tithes and offerings, a role I still do to this day. Then at the beginning of 2020, I began leading weekly at 5 a.m. on the women’s prayer line, a ministry of Zion. It started as three mornings a week, then grew to every weekday as the ministry expanded. After a few years, I transitioned to leading biweekly. This early morning prayer ministry became a vital part of my spiritual growth, teaching me discipline, consistency, and how to intercede for others through the power of prayer.
Today, I serve at Zion City of David Church as an assistant to my pastor, church treasurer, social media manager, and also serve in the hospitality ministry. Along with other disciples, I also edit sermon audios, turn them into videos, and upload them to our church’s YouTube channel to help spread the Word of God beyond our walls. In addition, I take part in our Friday midnight prayer program, where I intercede for people and for the church.
Through these roles, God continues to deepen my faith, strengthen my service, and teach me how to live out my calling with joy and purpose. My story is a testimony of the impact of Zion City of David Church — how God can take someone who once walked in spiritual ignorance and transform them into a vessel of understanding, prayer, and service for His glory.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I gave my life to Christ and began walking with God, new struggles emerged. Learning to live independently was one of the biggest challenges. After college, I needed to find a job and a place to live, which was daunting because I had little experience managing life on my own. I didn’t know how to drive and relied heavily on others for transportation to church and work. During one winter storm, my apartment lost power, leaving me freezing and alone. A married couple from church rescued me from that and eventually led me to move in with them, which became both a blessing and a learning experience. Living in a Christian household taught me responsibility, humility, and how to build a life centered on prayer and service, but it also meant facing my own weaknesses and learning to grow through correction.
There were also seasons of transition and testing within the church itself. Trusting God, we stepped out in faith to find a new home for our congregation—a process that took about two years. When we moved out of our previous location, we entered what we called “the wilderness,” having no physical church home during the height of COVID. Yet even in that season, God proved faithful. We held services in parks and continued gathering however we could, while our pastor kept us spiritually fed and connected through Friday and Sunday services, both in person and over the phone. Those years taught us perseverance, unity, and what it truly means to be the Church beyond the four walls of a building.
After much prayer and perseverance, God opened the door for us to move from a small three-room space into a two-story building, which marked a new chapter for Zion City of David Church. With this blessing came new opportunities and challenges, including the need for more dedicated laborers and members to help sustain and expand our growing ministries. Though the journey required patience, sacrifice, faith, and resilience, it also revealed how great God’s provision is and reminded us that His promises never fail.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
What should we know?
Zion City of David Church is a Christ-centered ministry dedicated to spiritual growth and community service. I personally experienced this transformation — when I joined the church, I had very little understanding of Scripture or how to live out my faith. Through mentorship, prayer, and consistent teaching, I grew spiritually and became an active member, which reflects the church’s commitment to guiding individuals toward a closer relationship with God.
What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?
Zion City of David Church is a Christ-centered ministry that specializes in teaching, prayer, discipleship, and community transformation. We are known for helping people grow in their personal relationship with God through consistent biblical teaching and Spirit-led guidance. Our ministry combines prayer, worship, mentorship, and outreach, creating a nurturing environment where people can discover and walk in their God-given purpose.
As a church, we emphasize the power of prayer—through programs like our early morning women’s prayer line, Friday night intercessory prayer, and monthly fasting sessions. These moments of prayer have not only strengthened individuals but have united us as a church family.
We also invest in spiritual and practical development, equipping members to grow, serve, and lead through a variety of ministries, including hospitality, singers, exhorters, and prayer leaders. We are always happy to welcome new people to serve with us and contribute their spiritual gifts. Through these ministries, we’ve become known as a church that feeds both the spirit and the soul, helping people encounter God, grow in faith, and impact others for His glory.
What sets you apart from others?
What sets us apart is our hands-on mentorship/discipleship and holistic care. Personally, the church supported me through major life transitions — from learning to live independently, facing fears, to moving through what we called ‘the wilderness’ during COVID without a church building. Even in those times, our pastor kept us spiritually fed through in-person and prayer line services, demonstrating our church unity, love, and commitment to guiding and nurturing its members in every circumstance.
What are you most proud brand wise?
Zion City of David Church is most proud of how our church transforms lives, including my own. When I first joined, I was spiritually blind and inexperienced in life. Today, I serve in multiple ministries, pray for others, and help manage church operations. This personal journey reflects the church’s dedication to nurturing faith, equipping members to serve, and creating lasting transformation in the lives of all who engage with the ministry.
What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?
I want readers to know that Zion City of David Church is more than a building or a program — it is a community that transforms lives. Through prayer programs, mentorship/discipleship, Bible study, and hands-on guidance, I personally grew from spiritual ignorance to a life of service and faith. Our offerings are designed to help anyone seeking spiritual growth, guidance, and a place to make a meaningful impact, just as they helped me. You will be Word fed like never before. The change in your lifestyle, thinking, attitude and overall character will be obvious and undeniable to you and everyone else. Remember: Jesus came to set the captives free! Come see what God is doing in Zion.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
In our search for a new church home, we once believed we had found the right place. However, through unmistakable signs, God directed our pastor to the location we now occupy. This experience reaffirmed how we see risk: we don’t step out recklessly, but when God directs, we take what others might call a risk — but we call it a leap of faith.
Pricing:
- Free, but you can donate here: https://giv.li/i89e0n
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zioncityofdavidchurch.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zioncityofdavidchurch/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zioncityofdavid
- Twitter: https://x.com/zcityofdavid
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZionCityOfDavid/
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/zcod.bsky.social
- Whatsapp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6UhWlJ93wXxLRLys3l
- Other: https://lordsbook.com/pages/ZionCityofDavidChurch ;
Image Credits
Asif Ali Photography
