Senior Pastor
Greater Bethesda
Missionary Baptist Church | Washington Park
Projects and Work
Serves as Senior Pastor of the Greater Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church. David has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects that poverty, violence, and poor education has on the community and the local church. As God’s agent for transformation in the world, David insists the church has a vested interest in the holistic wellbeing of the communities where we live, learn, work and worship because the renewal of the church is “inextricably bound” to the renewal of the community. With a passion for leadership, church renewal, and community revitalization, David is encouraging and equipping disciples to engage the community with God’s love and participate in God’s mission to transform it through service, particularly in the areas of education equality; youth mentoring and empowerment; anti-violence and restorative justice initiatives; and (socio)economic development. As a “co-vocational” pastor, David also serves as the Associate Director of Experiential Education and Field Studies at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. Additionally, Pastor Watkins currently serves in a leadership capacity on several boards/committees, including the American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago; the Washington Park Consortium; and the Greater New Era Baptist District Association of Chicago and Vicinity. Rev. Watkins is happily married to his beautiful college sweetheart, Latasha and they are the proud parents of two sons, Jadon and Jonathan.
