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Our Moderator & Vice Moderators

Moderator

Dr. Betty J. Erwin

Dr. Erwin was licensed to the Gospel Ministry on October 1, 1989 at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina and ordained on October 10, 1993 by the Mt. Peace Association, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Dr. Erwin attended Central Piedmont Community College: received the Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Divinity Degrees form Teamers School of Religion; Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy (Magna Cum Laude) from Shaw University; Masters of Arts in Christian Education from Pfeiffer University; and Doctor of Ministry from New Life Theological Seminary. Her doctoral dissertation was, “Why Believe in the Baptism of the Holy Sprit?”

Achievements and Awards received include: 1st Female Moderator, 1st Moderator, UMBA, Scholarship Honor Award; Leadership Training Award: Citation of Recognition Community Service Award; Alpha Chi National College Honor Scholarship Society; Academic Achievement Awards 1994-1996; Bronze, Silver, and Gold Academic Medals; Dean’s List; Who’s Who of American Women; Who’s Who of American Women Leaders; and Dedication and Loyal Support for the WBH & FM of NC Young Adults.

Dr. Erwin has two children; Rev. Wanda Erwin Dae (deceased) and Johnny Maurice Erwin, Sr. Five grandchildren: Keyetta, Takeisha, Kristina, Taylor and Johnny Jr. and six great-grandchildren: Shania, Malachi, Micah, Tzion, Tzariah and Remi.

Dr.Erwin has served at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and has served in numerous capacities and with that she brings a wealth of knowledge to Watts Grove.

As Pastor of Watts Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. Erwin, has created many new ministries, such as the New Members Ministry, Married Couples Ministry, Children’s Nursery and Intercessory Prayer. Dr. Erwin is a true educator at heart she has demonstrated this through her commitment to teaching God’s Word. She has created Deacon, Deaconess, Leadership and teaching classes. She is also constantly encouraging our youth through programs such as Grovefest, Youth Explosion, Harvest Festival and Summer Camp, to keep our youth involved at Watts Grove. She invisions more for our church.

1st Vice Moderator

Dr. Robert L. McGowens

Dr. Robert L. McGowens Sr. is a senior pastor at Greater Galilee Baptist Church of Charlotte North Carolina and Winston Salem, North Carolina. McGowens acknowledged his call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 1981 and licensed at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church of Greenville, South Carolina. Ordained by the Enoree River Baptist Association. In July 2005, Pastor McGowens was called to the Greater Galilee Baptist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina and in February 2010, Greater Galilee Winston Salem, North Carolina was established. Prior to that, he served as a pastor for Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, Winston Salem, NC from 1994-2005, Salem Baptist Church, Anderson, SC from 1984-1994, and Athens Baptist Church, travelers Rest, SC from 1981-1984. Pastor McGowens saw the need to pursue religious training by studying at Morris College School of Religion-Greenville Extension and Columbia Bible Institute-Spartanburg Extension, and further studied at Anderson University, Anderson, South Carolina. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and philosophy, cum laude, from Shaw University, Raleigh, North Carolina and a Master of Divinity degree from Shaw University Divinity School. In addition, he has received a Doctor Ministry Degree from Covington Theological Seminary Roswell, Georgia, and has completed the pastoral care training at Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte NC. Pastor McGowens is a respected member of the National Baptist Congress and Conventions USA Inc., Progressive National Baptist Convention USA Inc., Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention, General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Inc., Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Inc., (UMBA) United Missionary Baptist Association Inc., Ministers Conference of Winston Salem & Vicinity, Baptist Ministers Fellowship of Greenville & Vicinity, Charlotte Minister’s Conference, High Point Educational and Missionary Baptist Association, Inc. and NAACP. 

In addition, he is a Lott Carey executive board member, 3rd degree Prince Hall Mason, and serves on the Wadsworth Estate Foundation Committee and past Second Vice Moderator of United Missionary Baptist Association, past Evangelism and Late Night Chairman for the General Baptist State Convention, presently is the National Baptist Convention Board of Evangelism. Pastor McGowens is well known and highly respected for his dedication and exemplary leadership, and credits his success to passion, faith, and hard work, qualities he exercises in all of his endeavors. He has received a number of honors including being inducted into Alpha Chi National Honor Society, recognition as Man of the Year by Jack and Jill of America, The Man of the Year Religion Award from the Charlotte Queen City chapter of National Women of Achievement Inc., special recognition from the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention for leadership in missions education and evangelism. He has received Honorary Doctor of Theology Degree from The North Carolina School of Theology and The St. Thomas Christian College of Jacksonville, Florida for leadership in the areas of education, evangelism, and missions. Inducted into the Who’s Who Among Professional and Executives of America, Who’s Who Black Leaders of Charlotte and the Princeton Global Registry for his demonstration in Academic, Professional and Personal Excellence and inducted into the Charlotte’ Who’s Who Black Leaders of Charlotte. Visionary for the MLK, Jr. Celebration commemorating Dr. King’s Birthday in Charlotte, North Carolina. Is a published author of a Marriage and Family Relationship books entitled “The Real Flava of Luv” and “The Dating Game” and Love and Marriage, Heaven At Home and Family Matters, A Stewardship booklet entitled Recognizing The Owner, The Call to Discipleship and Ingredients of Worship. Despite a naturally altruistic position, Dr. McGowens further impacts the community through his involvement with several charitable and cultural organizations. Dr. McGowens has been featured in both the National Baptist Convention, Inc. and the National Baptist of America and several state conventions and associations. Graduate of Washington High School in Greenville South Carolina, played basketball for Greenville 76ers semi pro basketball league. Retired from Milliken & Company after 20 years of service for full time Pastoral Ministry. Pastor McGowens is married to the former Terry S. King McGowens and to this union they have 5 children and 17 grandchildren and 1 great grand daughter, Autumn Denise.

2nd Vice Moderator

Rev. Darryl K. Ferguson

Rev. D.K. Ferguson, native of Richmond County, is the son of Ms. Yvonne F. McGraw and Mr. Azariah Ellerbe III, and the grandson of the late Dr. J.H. Ferguson and Mrs. Flossie H. Ferguson. He received his early education in the public schools of Richmond County, and is a 1989 graduate of Richmond Senior High School, Rockingham, NC.

He is a 1994 graduate of Shaw University where he received the Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Philosophy. He is married to the former Kronski Pridgen and they have one daughter: Kimani and one son: D.K. II

Rev. Ferguson was licensed to preach, October 1982, at the age of 11 and ordained, August 1989, at 18 years old.

Rev. Ferguson has been employed and active in many church related organizations.

He served as Assistant Pastor at Poplar Springs Missionary Baptist Church, Rockingham, NC from 1982-1991. He served as Associate minister of Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, Monroe, NC from 1982-1991. He served as Associate minister from 1987 to 1991 at Lewis
Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Fayetteville, NC, Dr. J. D. Fuller, Sr. Pastor.

Past Member of the Board of Directors, Program E.A.S.Y. (Educational Alternatives for Suspended Youth) Wilmington, NC 

Past Member of the Board of Directors, Good Shepard Ministries, Wilmington, NC 

Past Co-chair of the Ministerial Roundtable of Wilmington, NC

Co-founder of Student Life Ministries, Inc.

Past Vice-Basilues of the Beta Nu Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.  Former Chairperson of the Presbytery Board of the Middle District Missionary Baptist Association

Member of the North Carolina Gospel Announcers Guild auxiliary to the Gospel Music Workshop of America

He was selected as an Outstanding Young Men of America for 1998 by the Outstanding Young Americans organization.

He was selected for the 2005-2006 edition of The Heritage Registry of Who’s Who of Americas Professionals.

2006 Outstanding Pastor of Middle District Missionary Baptist Association Congress of Christian Education

He was for 10 half years the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church-Chinquapin, NC (1991-2002)

Rev. Ferguson served as the Historian and as Statistician for the General Baptist State Convention of N.C. from 2006- 2014. 

He served as Pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Wilmington, NC. for 13 years.

Rev. Ferguson is currently the Senior Pastor/ Teacher of the First Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church Charlotte, NC 

 

 

 

3rd Vice Moderator

Dr. Major Stewart

Rev. Dr. Major Stewart, a native of Muskegon, Michigan. He is born again and accepted the call to the preaching ministry and was licensed at 26 years old. Dr. Stewart has been serving as a senior pastor for 22 years and is currently serving as the senior pastor of Greater Mt. Sinai Baptist church in Charlotte, North Carolina (since November 2016).  

Major’s passion for community outreach is seen in his capacity to draw the church into the world rather than the world into the church. His challenge to Greater Mt. Sinai Baptist church is to show the world the love of God by feeding the hungry, quenching the thirst of the thirsty, providing shelter to the homeless, looking after the sick, clothing the naked, showing compassion to persons living with mental health issues and visiting the incarcerated. 

Rev. Dr. Stewart is also a Board Certified Chaplain.  He is a Certified Instructor in the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, where he teaches How To Minister to African American Males Youth. Yet, Dr. Stewart works to contribute toward his community as a member of NAACP, Leadership Charlotte, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and a participant in the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition. Dr. Stewart developed an enormous passion for mission work. He traveled to Turkey and Asia Minor (tracing the footsteps of the apostle Paul) in 2001; to Monrovia, Liberia, on a mission team in 2005; and to Israel with United Theological Seminary pilgrimage team in 2009.

Dr. Stewart earned a Bachelor’s (BBA) Degree in Accounting and Finance, from Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Mi.; a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA; a Master of Arts (MACE) Degree in Christian Education from the Michigan Theological Seminary, Plymouth, MI; and a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) Degree from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio.  He has also completed the Church Management and Consulting Program at Villanova University, Villanova, PA.  

Pastor Stewart has been blessed to publish two books to date: 

  • Walking in His Footsteps, A Devotional Journey in the Land of Jesus.
  • Sold-Out Stewardship, How To Be Committed Caretakers of God’s Blessings.

He was married to Carla Brooks-Stewart until her untimely death, and they are parents of three daughters and one grandson.

Major’s favorite quote is: ”Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.