Rev. Dr. Lance Watson, Sr. is one of the incredible mentors in the Doctor of Ministry program at United. Senior pastor of the 8,000-member Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., Dr. Watson is sharing his wisdom through the Strategic Leadership for Black Congregations doctoral focus group that he co-leads with Dr. William H. Curtis.

He brings extensive experience from nearly forty years in leadership at Saint Paul’s. The church now has three campuses with dreams on the horizon of constructing a planned community with the church at the center.

This past year, Watson decided to take his investment in future leaders of the Church a step further by establishing the Dr. Lance and Rose Watson Scholarship through the Fresh Wind campaign. Having been able to complete seminary debt-free, he wanted to help other students do the same. When he heard about this giving opportunity, Watson described it as a “burning bush moment.” He said it felt like holy ground, and he just had to respond.

“God blesses us so that we can bless others. My experience as a student and a mentor at United has enlarged my life in ways that I couldn’t have imagined,” Dr. Watson shares. “Something special is happening at United, and I’m glad to be a part of it. My hope is that others will respond in generosity and extend this legacy of learning even further.”