OUR
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Our Moderator
Charles Maurice Williams, the fifth child of Rebecca Williams and Ernest Harris, has been married to Maureen for 38 years. They have two children, Charles Maurice, Jr. and Charla Maureen, and one granddaughter, Chari Maureen.
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A native of East St. Louis, Pastor Williams completed his early education in East St. Louis School District 189. He holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) in Leadership and Ministry and a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) in Biblical Counseling, both from Missouri Baptist University.
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Pastor Williams acknowledged his calling to preach the Gospel in 1987 at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, under the guidance of Rev. Dr. Herman L. Watson, Sr. He was later invited by Rev. Dr. M.R. Lemons to serve as Youth Pastor at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in 1993. Upon Rev. Lemons's retirement and recommendation, Pastor Williams became the church’s pastor, celebrating 19 years of pastoral leadership in July 2024.
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Pastor Williams has been connected to the New Salem Baptist District Association (NSBDA) since its infancy, offering over 30 years of service, including 20 years in leadership roles such as Moderator, Vice Moderator at Large, President, Advisor to the Congress President, Assistant Dean, and Coordinator for the Dr. M.R. Lemons Associate Ministers Division.
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Moderator Williams is committed to “providing biblical nurturing toward the achievement of the Church’s Great Commission as set forth in Matthew 28:19-20.” He believes the Church’s ultimate purpose is “the salvation of sinners and the edification of the saved.”
Congress President
Pastor Rod L. Little is a native of East St. Louis, IL, and a graduate of East St. Louis Lincoln Senior High School, class of 1995. He accepted his call to ministry at 17 under Rev. L.D. Tate. Pastor Little holds a diploma in Biblical Studies from the Lay Bible Academy, a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Anchor Theological Seminary, and a dean certification from the National Baptist Convention's Congress of Christian Education. In 2009, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from New Life Bible College.
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At 22, Pastor Little led Israeli Baptist Church for three years, later founding Mt. Moriah Church, where he pastored for eleven years. Since 2012, he has served as Pastor of St. Matthew Baptist Church in East St. Louis, IL, with a mission to equip believers spiritually, educationally, culturally, and economically through God’s Word.
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In addition to his pastoral role, Pastor Little is the Congress President of Christian Education for the New Salem Baptist District, Corresponding Secretary for the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, moderator of Area 5 of the American Baptist Churches – Great Rivers Region, and a Board Member for the Joseph Center of East St. Louis, IL. He is currently pursuing a Master of Theology in Christian Behavior at Anchor Theological Seminary.
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Pastor Little and Lady Sharnique Little are the proud parents of three children – JaSean, Javaria, and Christopher.
Congress Dean
Dr. Verdis Lee is a native of Hazlehurst, MS. After finishing high school, she attended Utica Jr. College where she received an Associate Degree in Business and later attended National Louis University in St. Louis, MO where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. She received her Master of Theology Degree in 2018 and a Doctoral in Pastoral Theology in 2020 from Anchor Theological Seminary and Bible Institute.
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Dr. Verdis Lee is the wife of Dr. Rev. Zachary L. Lee, Sr., for 32 years. They have two daughters, two sons, and nine grandchildren. She has been the Leading Lady of the Mt. Paran Missionary Baptist Church for 32 years. In addition to being the pastor’s wife, she is also a licensed and ordained preacher, serving as one of the Associate Ministers of Mt. Paran Missionary Baptist Church. Dr. Verdis Lee serves in the capacity of the Church’s Business Administrator/Financial Secretary, Pastor of the
Women Ministry, Sunday School teacher, the Assistant to the Superintendent, and the Dean of their CLS school.
She is the newly elected Dean of the Congress of Christian Education for the New Salem Baptist District Association, Inc. She works for the Riverview Gardens School District, St. Louis as the assistant to
the Federal Programs Director.
Her guiding scripture, 'So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.'
Hebrews 10:35–36
​Our Team.
In addition to our core leaders, NSBDA is supported by various auxiliary presidents, directors, and staff members who contribute to the growth and success of our mission. Each member of our team plays a vital role in ensuring that our association is equipped to meet the needs of our churches and communities.
