About Us
Rev. Dr. Maurice F. Scott was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri on March 26, 1945. Dr. Scott was converted in St. Louis at an early age and was baptized by the late Dr. Walter G. Wells at Westside Baptist Church. In 1954, his mother, sister, and he changed membership to Christ Southern Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Herman Gore Sr. and Jr.
Dr. Scott was later called into the ministry in 1965 while serving in the Air Force in Amarillo, Texas, hearing the LORD telling him to “Preach or die.” Then, on military leave in St. Louis, the LORD spoke to him, telling him to “Preach JESUS.” While in the armed forces, Dr. Scott received orders to finish his military tour of duty in Oakland, California. This is where he met the late Rev. Dr. C.J. Anderson, who became his father and mentor in the ministry for over thirty-five years.
Dr. Scott is also a graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, with a double major in Social Science and Afro-American Studies. He has a Master’s degree from San Jose State University in Social Science, with emphasis on Afro-American Studies; as well as a Master of Theological Studies from the Golden gate Baptist Theological Seminary. He also received his lifetime secondary teaching credential from the University of San Francisco in 1975.
Dr. Scott is also a retiree of over 20 years in the public school system as a high school teacher and a track & field coach.
He has been married to Sandra B. Scott for over fifty-seven years and is the father of five children, and he has two grandchildren. He is presently serving as a pastor of the Great St. John Metropolitan Baptist Church, located at 985 53rd Street in Oakland, California, where he organized in June 2004.
Our History
After the death of the great Pastor, Rev. Dr. C. J. Anderson, the LORD GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob began to carve out and mold the Great St. John Metropolitan M.B.C. out of the now Greater St. John M.B.C. From the corner of 19th and Market, a remnant of 17 member has now grown to over 20 faithful members and over 300 names on the church roll.
During this transitional period, after the passing of Dr. Anderson, Pastor Scott stayed in constant prayer for GOD’s divine guidance. As he searched for a church home for the remnant, it became a modern-day wilderness journey. The LORD GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob touched Mr. Sam’s heart. He opened up the banquet room, at the Buttercup Restaurant (in West Oakland), as well as obtaining the adjacent hotel rooms for our church curriculum needs. (And he is still most generous to this Pastor and church today). May the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in the Precious Name of JESUS, forever bless he and his family, and Mr. David and his family, the owner.
Pastor Scott and the remnant also met at the Holiday Inn Hotel, located in East Oakland, for our weekly services, too. And the LORD touched Pastor Eric McGee’s heart, who opened the doors at The Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church (located in San Francisco, CA), where Dr. Scott baptized several members during this transitional period.
Dr. Scott wore several “hats” while pastoring. He continued to work as a full-time high school teacher, while attending the Golden Gate Theological Seminary. And at the same time, being led by the LORD, he and the remnant began to sacrifice and save money in preparation for a future church home. Afterwards, we were blessed to raise over $250,000.
And in 2004, the membership began to grow. We no longer attended Greater St. John M.B.C. (for Pastor Scott had fulfilled the prophetic saying by Dr. Anderson), and he was now looking for a church building. Thus, we began to meet at the Monterey Pines Community Center located in Richmond, CA for our Sunday Morning services; and eventually, we were led to the House of Truth C.O.G.I.C. (985 53rd Street in Oakland), where Dr. Scott recognized the church in a vision he was given by LORD.
Through the storms of being accused, abused, and put to the side, the LORD strengthened us by faith to persevere. Through the horrific, countless, proceeding storms, we crossed our “Red Sea” more than conquerors; we made it. The many threats, dark days, the sicknesses, and distresses did not detour us from the day of celebration when the LORD blessed us to pay of the $821,000 church mortgage in 6 years and 9 months, for “no man can do these things accept GOD be with him.”
Through the troubling storm of high interest on the primary loan, the LORD extended the time, and HE became our FINANCIER… HE made financial ways out-of-no-way for this faith-believing membership. Oh, we crossed over the “muddy banks of the Jordan river.” No man, with an 11% interest rate and only using the income of 40 to 45 members (not including the children and babies), could do these things accept GOD be with him.
The journey, from September of 2000 to the present, has not been an easy one. Through the storms of tribulation, by faith in JESUS. We always “crossed over to the other side” more than conquerors. For we believe that we could do all things through CHRIST WHO strengthens us.
To GOD Be The Glory!