Pastor Ricardo Leigh Handy Sr. was born May 28, 1974 to August and Barbara Handy in the small city of Plaquemine, La. He has 3 brothers Gregory Jackson, Jeffrey August and Gerard Gustave Handy. He received Christ at a very early age at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor W.L. McNell. Just as tragedy opened the door for Isaiah to see the Lord, the same thing happened to Pastor Handy in July of 1994. He accepted his calling to preach the gospel after the death of his cousin in July of 1994 on October 16, 1994 (his father’s birthday). He was ordained within a year and finally called to Pastor within 3 years. Pastor Handy started serving Mt. Zion Church in 1997 and became their Pastor in 1998.
In 2005, Pastor Handy led Mt. Zion from its original plantation location that included a $10 a year lease to their new campus of over 10 acres of land. The Plaquemine location now includes a main sanctuary, an outdoor basketball court, swimming pool, and a youth church area. Since 2005, Mt Zion has continued to grow in so many ways. Over the next 14 years Pastor Handy would lead the church in purchasing more land to accommodate the vision and mandate on the ministry. In 2019, Mt Zion would launch it’s Tv Ministry and also became One Family in Two locations. During the summer of 2019, Mt Zion Inner City of Plaquemine would give birth to M.I.C.B.R. (Mt Zion Inner City of Baton Rouge). Mt Zion is a ministry of vision, excellence and family.
Pastor Handy has faithfully served and declared the message of Jesus Christ at Mt Zion for over 20 years. He is a man after God’s own heart. He is a kingdom son with a passion to expand the kingdom of God. He serves faithfully at both locations where their God ordained mission is Building Faith and Family as we Love, Grow, and Serve.
Pastor Handy is joined in covenant marriage to LaTroya Ware Handy and they are blessed with two beautiful children: Sydney Jarve Handy and Ricardo Leigh Handy Jr.
Soc