Dearest Alumni,

I hope all is well! This year has been a blessing. He is doing a deep work in all of us and we know that through our trials we are becoming more like Christ. Our leadership has raised us up in the way that we should go and now it is our turn to take the truth of this glorious Gospel to our generation. I am so grateful for Pastor David, Sister Catherine, Pastor Tim and all of our teachers that the Lord has used to bring light to the Scriptures. As students we were given the opportunity to learn how to pray and wait on God, taught how to rightly divide the Word, to know His voice and encouraged to find a place to quiet ourselves so we could hear the very heartbeat of God for the lost. I am forever grateful for the foundation He laid in our hearts at Mount Zion.

Brothers and Sisters, the Lord wants Spirit-led Christians who have a foundation built on Christ and walk in the New Covenant. I believe this covenant is going to be revealed to our generation in a mighty way, not just to one man or woman in the pulpit, but to the individual believer who is wholeheartedly seeking the face of God. What a glorious thing to see Jesus working in and through His body, accomplishing His Father’s will. He is living, loving and speaking through His people so the lost will see Him in us! Jesus is getting the glory and not man! He has called each and every one of us by name to shine in these dark times. We are to be the salt of the earth. If we lose our saltiness, Jesus’ testimony in our lives will be trampled underfoot. My heart’s desire is to stir you up and see your passion renewed. Jesus is so worthy of a Bride that does not compromise His message or her love for Him!

Mount Zion Alumni, wake up and seek God! Fight for your devotional time and fight for the souls of men in prayer! We need to get back on our faces and back in our Bibles. We are called to be Christ to the lost. Let our cry be to see Jesus glorified in our generation and all that is in His heart accomplished.

Blessings and much love,
Ariel Hopkins

Alumni Officer Profiles

Alumni Association President - Michael Fratt ('07)

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Michael Fratt attended Georgia State University to pursue a career in journalism. After two years of college, he left to continue climbing the corporate ladder. While working for a major airline, he rededicated his heart to the Lord and felt a call to ministry. Michael learned about Mount Zion after searching for Bible colleges online. He was accepted for the 2004 school year. Since graduating in 2007, he has been working in the Communications Ministry at Times Square Church.  

Alumni Association Vice-President - Nikolas Godshall ('07)

Nikolas Godshall was born and raised in Pennsylvania. Nikolas grew up in church and heard the call of God to ministry at the early age of seven. Despite the struggles and difficulties that came with the years, the Lord was faithful to keep a strong love burning in Nikolas’ heart for his Jesus. It was this love that caused him to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading to Mount Zion in 2004 after seeing a pamphlet in one of Pastor David’s newsletters. Since graduating in 2007, Nikolas has served Mount Zion in New York City, co-leading the street evangelism team; in Nigeria, participating in evangelism and medical missions; and now at Mount Zion itself. His responsibilities at Mount Zion include teaching, preaching, leading worship and organizing various outreaches to the Harrisburg area. 

Alumni Association Secretary - Ariel Hopkins ('06)

Ariel Hopkins was born and raised in New Mexico. Ariel felt God calling her to full-time ministry at the age of eighteen. She obeyed the call of God by coming to Mount Zion in the fall of 2003. After graduating in 2006, Ariel joined as a staff member at Mount Zion. Since then she has been leading a ministry to children and teenagers in the inner city of Harrisburg, overseeing a street evangelism team in the same area and ministering in the women’s prison. Ariel is also the head of the Sunday School Department at Mount Zion Church of the Holy Spirit (campus church) and assists in meeting other church needs. 

Alumni Association Treasurer - Leah Howard ('07)

Leah Howard was born in Houston, Texas, and raised in the small town of Clatskanie, Oregon. Growing up she was involved in both church and community activities, teaching Sunday School, working at a Christian school, volunteering in her community and working at a local newspaper. After receiving Pastor David’s newsletter for several years and seeing the various times Mount Zion was highlighted, God called Leah to come to Mount Zion in 2004. Upon her graduation in 2007 she decided to remain as a staff member at Mount Zion. Her involvement at Mount Zion includes working in the academic department, teaching Christian Literature, scheduling guest speakers, planning various events throughout the year and assisting the admissions department.