Pastor: 2015-2022

In 2014, Dr. Maurice Watson became Metropolitan’s sixth pastor in her 150-year history. A dynamic preacher, pastor, and leader, he brought 33 years of pastoral experience to the great Metropolitan pulpit. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas; earned a Master of Arts Degree in Theology from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska; and earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Watson’s first pastorate was at St. Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock, where he served for 7 years. In November 1988, he accepted the call to pastor the Salem Baptist Church in Omaha, Nebraska, where he served for 15½ years. In early 2004, sensing a new call of God on his life, Dr. Watson accepted the senior pastorate of Beulahland Bible Church in Macon, Georgia. His leadership took Beulahland to a second location in Warner Robins, Georgia, in February 2005. At the renewed urging of the Holy Spirit, Dr. Watson accepted God’s call to Metropolitan Baptist Church in November 2014. He brought his anointed pastoral, preaching, and ministry gifts to Metropolitan, proclaiming that “…a new day is coming, with hope and possibilities!” He preached his first sermon as Metropolitan’s Senior Servant on January 4, 2015 and his final sermon on September 4, 2022, as he returned to his native Little Rock, Arkansas, to pastor The Second Baptist Church. He is married to Mrs. Janice Watson and they have two lovely daughters, one son-in-law, and one grandson.