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!”
A widely sought-after itinerate preacher and revivalist at the zenith of his preaching ministry, Dr. Watson became a stabilizing force during one of Metropolitan’s greatest transitions. In 2015, he led this historic congregation from temporary worship centers in Washington, DC’s Dorothy I. Height Community Academy Public Charter School at 1st and P Streets, NW, and the University of the District of Columbia on Connecticut Avenue, NW, and to a more permanent location on at 1200 Mercantile Lane in Largo, MD. The move to Maryland was a bold decision that proved to be a turning point in Metropolitan’s ministry and future.
Under Dr. Watson’s life-changing preaching of God’s Word, the Metropolitan congregation grew stronger, began a new legacy of inreach and outreach, and became more committed to preserve her history and bring about positive change and growth. The church’s guiding mantra became “Metropolitan Cares”, and it was manifested in ministry and relationships.
Dr. Watson positioned the church for 21st century worship with the launching of “online” worship and enhanced Bible Study, Prayer Services, Prayer Calls, ministry meetings, and training sessions. In March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down many churches, Metropolitan embraced live-streaming and easily transitioned to online worship without missing any worship services. Metropolitan began to reach worshippers across the country and around the globe on a much broader scale. Dr. Watson recorded his sermons from his home pulpit; choirs recorded their songs from their individual homes and the Creative Services team led by Ms. Kris Hicks mixed music to yield the rounded sound of a full choir; Servants recorded centering prayers from makeshift home studios; and Metropolitan celebrated worship, from home, with excellence and gratitude on Facebook, YouTube, and the church’s website.
During Dr. Watson’s pastorate, not only did Metropolitan’s ministries and worship stabilize and grow, so did her finances. Obedient to the tithe, sacrificial giving, and prudent financial stewardship, Metropolitan positioned herself to satisfy outstanding debts in 2025.
Dr. Maurice Watson 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 two grandsons.