Meet our Pastor
Rev. Dr. Michael L. W. Moore serves as the 8th Pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, where he began his tenure in January 2020. Just months before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Moore’s steady leadership kept the church spiritually connected, mission-focused, and financially strong through virtual worship, Bible study, community wellness initiatives, and outreach efforts.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dr. Moore is a proud graduate of Virginia Union University with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Philosophy. He went on to earn both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union. Prior to Metropolitan, he made history as the youngest Senior Pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia, where he led the congregation in a mission of “Living, Loving, Learning, and Leading.” He has also served as Director of Spiritual Life at LeMoyne-Owen College.
He is married to the former Rev. Dr. Christy Simmons, and they are the proud parents of Michael L. W. Moore II, affectionately called Mike Mike.
At Metropolitan, Dr. Moore has led the church in growth by establishing Foundational Ministry Pillars—Purposeful Worship, Loving Fellowship, Responsible Stewardship, Intentional Scholarship, Transformative Leadership, and Communal Development. He has transformed the worship experience through hybrid innovation and expanded evangelism through initiatives such as the Growing in Twos campaign.
Under Dr. Moore’s leadership, the church has continued its community impact by partnering with a wide range of civic, educational, and faith-based organizations to provide resources, services, and spaces that uplift both congregation and community. Metropolitan has also hosted regional denominational gatherings and civic events, strengthening its role as a spiritual and community anchor in South Memphis.
Beyond his pastoral ministry, Dr. Moore serves as the Southern Region 2nd Vice President of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., and chairs the denomination’s Retain, Reclaim, and Recruit Committee. He is also a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, and a respected voice in both civic and faith-based spaces.
Dr. Moore continues to lead with a commitment to discipleship, innovation, and service, guided by his conviction:
“If we learn to love right, we will never have to
question if we are living right.”
-Rev. Dr. Michael L.W. Moore