Dr. Maurice Watson, a distinguished preacher, pastor, and leader, has dedicated his life to ministry and the spiritual growth of communities across the nation.

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Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dr. Watson acknowledged his call to preach at the young age of 16. His pastoral journey began at St. Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock, where he faithfully served for seven years.

In November 1988, at the age of 28, he accepted the call to pastor Salem Baptist Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Over 15½ years, his leadership led to remarkable growth, expanding the church’s membership from 1,200 to over 3,500. Under his guidance, Salem moved into a state-of-the-art 42,000-square-foot, multi-million-dollar facility, completed in January 2000.

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In April 2004, sensing a new calling, Dr. Watson became the senior pastor of Beulahland Bible Church in Macon, Georgia. His vision, “Faith on the Fast Track,” drove Beulahland’s expansion, resulting in thousands of new members. The church’s growth led to the completion of a 40,000-square-foot worship facility in 2009, featuring a 3,000-seat sanctuary and an innovative administrative complex. Additionally, in 2005, he led Beulahland in launching a second worship location in Warner Robins, Georgia, securing 13 acres of land for a dedicated worship facility.

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Dr. Watson’s ministry continued to thrive, and in 2015, he accepted the call to lead the historic Metropolitan Baptist Church in Largo, Maryland, where he served for seven transformative years. His impact on the church and surrounding community strengthened Metropolitan’s mission and reach.

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In August 2022, Dr. Watson returned to his home city, accepting the call as Senior Pastor of The Second Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas—the very church where he first acknowledged his call to preach. Since assuming leadership, he has committed his time to helping the church, children, and community grow together under Christ. His vision focuses on spiritual renewal, community engagement, and leadership development to create a lasting impact in the city.

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Dr. Watson is a highly respected scholar with an extensive academic background. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, a Master of Arts in Theology from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. In 2024, he successfully defended his dissertation and earned a PhD in Leadership from Anderson University in South Carolina, marking yet another milestone in his commitment to theological and leadership excellence.

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A prolific preacher and expositor, Dr. Watson is a sought-after speaker for national and international conferences. He served as the morning worship preacher at the Annual Hampton Ministers’ Conference in 2002 and later as the conference preacher in 2005 and 2015. His powerful voice in ministry has also been recognized through numerous honors and awards. In 2010, he was inducted into the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College.

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Most recently, in 2024, Dr. Watson was honored at the 17th Annual Living Legends Banquet, presented by Philander Smith University, celebrating his lifelong dedication to faith, leadership, and service.

Motivated by his love for people, his passion for preaching, and his belief that no one is beyond God’s reach, Dr. Watson states:

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"I was born – put on this Earth, in this Universe – to be a preacher, teacher, and pastor of people. Seeing people helped and seeing lives transformed through what I might have to say, or what God might have to say through me, motivates me. It is my purpose for being alive."

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Dr. Watson is married to Janice, and together they have two beautiful daughters, one son-in-law, and two grandsons.