A prominent Baptist church in Alaska announced that it is changing its name to avoid associations "with false religions" and to reflect its influence on the entire state.

According to The Christian Post, Anchorage Baptist Temple will now be known as Mountain City Church.

"Our vision is to transform every Alaskan with the salt, light, and love of Christ, like a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden," Pastor Ron Hoffman said in a video released Sunday. "We also believe the name Mountain City reflects what we have become, not only an influencer of Anchorage but the entire state of Alaska."

Additionally, the church's school, Anchorage Christian School, will now be named Mountain City Christian Academy.

Hoffman, who grew up in Anchorage, stressed that the name change does not indicate the church leaving its heritage behind.

"This is a history we never want to forget, so no, renaming the church will not erase the legacy," he said.

The pastor also noted how the word "temple" in the former name was a concern due to its usage in false religions.

"Our current name has unnecessary barriers in it," he said. "The word ‘temple' is more associated with false religions today than it is about true places of worship. The word that once enhanced our church's vision now hinders it."

In addition to the name change, Hoffman announced that Mountain City will launch three seven-year initiatives, including social programs, cultural engagement and Gospel outreach efforts.

According to The Christian Post, it is unclear whether the church will also change its Baptist identity.

In 1956, Pastor Don White, under Baptist Bible Church, founded Anchorage Baptist while former Pastor Jerry Prevo grew the ministry, including a radio and TV ministry throughout the state.

After 50 years of ministry, Prevo stepped down from his pastoral role in 2019. He is currently serving as the president of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. During his farewell sermon, high-profile figures and religious leaders, including former governors Mike Dunleavy and Sarah Palin and evangelist Franklin Graham.

The church also made headlines in 2020 after Hoffman defied a COVID-19 restriction on in-person worship services.

"When our civil authority says something, we find ourselves in a quandary," Hoffman said at the time. "But we must always obey God. We cannot stop sharing the Gospel. We will not stop worshiping God.

"We will not stop being the church," he contended.

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