meet our pastor
Bishop Grace Ruth Batten is a native of Delaware, born in Milton as the thirteenth child of the late Elder Jacob and Virginia Brittingham, Sr. She received her early education through the Milton Public School system (School 196-C) and graduated from William C. Jason Comprehensive High School in Georgetown, Delaware. Bishop Batten earned an Associate of Applied Science degree from Delaware Technical and Community College and later obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Wilmington College/University.
Bishop Batten’s Christian education began at home under the spiritual guidance of her parents, where she learned Bible verses and scripture passages around the family table. Her faith formation continued through Sunday School and formal theological study. She holds a certificate from Emmaus Bible Institute in What the Bible Teaches, marking the beginning of her theological education. She earned a Bachelor of Theology degree from Burke Bible College and, while serving as a full-time pastor, traveled regularly to Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she received a Master of Arts in Theological Studies. Bishop Batten holds a Doctorate of Sacred Theology from International Christian University.
Committed to lifelong learning, Bishop Batten has completed extensive coursework in crisis intervention and spiritual care. She received a Certificate of Specialized Training in Spiritual Care in Crisis Intervention and is a Board-Certified Pastoral Counselor. She also graduated from Light University with a Diploma in Biblical Counseling in September 2007.
Following the passing of the pastor in May 1970, Minister Batten was entrusted with leadership of Mt. Zion Holy Church. She was ordained an Elder in September 1970 at the Mt. Sinai Holy Convocation in Wilmington, Delaware, and was consecrated as Bishop in 1994. Bishop Batten also served as pastor of Mt. Olive Pentecostal Church in Smyrna, Delaware, for three years. She has faithfully served Mt. Zion Holy Church for over 52 years.
Bishop Batten is widely recognized for her civic leadership and public service. She was the first Black individual elected to the Milton Town Council, serving as Councilwoman for twelve years. She later made history as both the first female Mayor and the first Black Mayor of Milton, Delaware, serving a two-year term. Her community service includes membership on the Boards of Directors for the Chesapeake Bay Girl Scout Council, American Red Cross (Delmarva Peninsula), People’s Place Counseling Center, Sussex Family YMCA, and the Milton Community Foundation, Inc. She also served as Vice President of the Friends of the Milton Public Library and as President of the Board of Directors for CHEER (Sussex County Senior Services, Inc.).
In September 2011, Bishop Batten was elevated to Jurisdictional Bishop of the Mid-Atlantic District of the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc. In September 2025, she was elected President of the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc.
Bishop Batten has received numerous honors throughout the State of Delaware, including recognition on Delaware Technical and Community College’s Walk of Success and induction into the Hall of Fame for Delaware Women. Known for her love of God and dedication to people, Bishop Batten actively supports churches, organizations, and individuals in need.
Her guiding motto remains: “If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living will not be in vain.”
Bishop Batten’s Christian education began at home under the spiritual guidance of her parents, where she learned Bible verses and scripture passages around the family table. Her faith formation continued through Sunday School and formal theological study. She holds a certificate from Emmaus Bible Institute in What the Bible Teaches, marking the beginning of her theological education. She earned a Bachelor of Theology degree from Burke Bible College and, while serving as a full-time pastor, traveled regularly to Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she received a Master of Arts in Theological Studies. Bishop Batten holds a Doctorate of Sacred Theology from International Christian University.
Committed to lifelong learning, Bishop Batten has completed extensive coursework in crisis intervention and spiritual care. She received a Certificate of Specialized Training in Spiritual Care in Crisis Intervention and is a Board-Certified Pastoral Counselor. She also graduated from Light University with a Diploma in Biblical Counseling in September 2007.
Following the passing of the pastor in May 1970, Minister Batten was entrusted with leadership of Mt. Zion Holy Church. She was ordained an Elder in September 1970 at the Mt. Sinai Holy Convocation in Wilmington, Delaware, and was consecrated as Bishop in 1994. Bishop Batten also served as pastor of Mt. Olive Pentecostal Church in Smyrna, Delaware, for three years. She has faithfully served Mt. Zion Holy Church for over 52 years.
Bishop Batten is widely recognized for her civic leadership and public service. She was the first Black individual elected to the Milton Town Council, serving as Councilwoman for twelve years. She later made history as both the first female Mayor and the first Black Mayor of Milton, Delaware, serving a two-year term. Her community service includes membership on the Boards of Directors for the Chesapeake Bay Girl Scout Council, American Red Cross (Delmarva Peninsula), People’s Place Counseling Center, Sussex Family YMCA, and the Milton Community Foundation, Inc. She also served as Vice President of the Friends of the Milton Public Library and as President of the Board of Directors for CHEER (Sussex County Senior Services, Inc.).
In September 2011, Bishop Batten was elevated to Jurisdictional Bishop of the Mid-Atlantic District of the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc. In September 2025, she was elected President of the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc.
Bishop Batten has received numerous honors throughout the State of Delaware, including recognition on Delaware Technical and Community College’s Walk of Success and induction into the Hall of Fame for Delaware Women. Known for her love of God and dedication to people, Bishop Batten actively supports churches, organizations, and individuals in need.
Her guiding motto remains: “If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living will not be in vain.”