Pastors & Ministers of New Morning Light Baptist Church

Senior Pastor  (2019 - Current) 

Pastor Charles Spencer Hamilton is known for his genuine spirit, innovation, and visionary leadership. He began pastoring New Morning Light Baptist Church on October 6, 2019, and serves as the church’s second pastor.

Pastor Charles is a native of Stone Mountain, Georgia where he graduated from Stone Mountain High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from Clark Atlanta University and answered his call to ministry during the last semester of his senior year. It was during this period he joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. A legacy of distinguished men that influenced his love for black history and community service.

After receiving his bachelor's degree, he attended Emory University's Candler School of Theology and graduated with a Masters of Divinity in May of 2019.

While in seminary Pastor Charles worked for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship where he supported missionaries across the world, lobbied for social and economic issues on Capitol Hill and worked with the fellowship’s Global Missions Initiative granting him the opportunity to do Environmental Advocacy in Kenya. Pastor Charles experienced the cultures of divers ecosystems and participated in the water crisis initiative that brought water purifiers to a remote village in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley.

In addition to pastoring New Morning Light, Pastor Charles also serves the country as a Chaplain in the Georgia Army National Guard. In 2024 he deployed to Kosovo for a NATO Peace keeping mission. Through meeting with Priest and Imams throughout the country, Pastor Charles was able to build cross cultural relationships and maintain peace between two opposing communities. During this deployment he received the Meritorious Service Medal, awarded to members of the armed forces who have performed outstanding service significantly above what is normally expected.

Pastor Charles Spencer Hamilton credits his education, experiences, and achievements to the power of God.  He truly believes if he continues to lift his eyes to the hills and remains aware of where his help comes from, God will continue to expand his territory. Therefore, He will continue to be committed to spreading the Gospel through the love of Jesus Christ.  

 Assistant Pastor

Pastor Robert Pope is a native of Atlanta, Ga. Baptized at the age of 9 years old at the Bolton Hills Bible Church in Atlanta. Pastor Pope joined Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. R.L. White, Jr. While at Mt. Ephraim, he song in the R.L. White Gospel Chorus, served on the Video Ministry, Social & Welcome Committee and later appointed to the Officer Prep Board and later the Trustee Board. 

Pastor Pope joined Hunter Hill First Baptist Church in 2005 under the leadership of Rev. Christopher A. Wimberly, Sr. He accepted his call to the ministry in May 2006. He was licensed to preach in June 2007 and ordained in October 2009. While at Hunter Hill, Pastor  Pope served as Pastoral Assistant, Director of Christian Education, Director of Ministerial Alliance, Director of Assimilation Ministry & Decision Counselors. 

In January 2017, Pastor Pope answered the call to Pastoral Assistant to Pastor Eric George Vickers, Sr for the Beulah Baptist Church, Atlanta Ga. In July, 2018 God led Pastor Vickers to seek a Youth Pastor for the church and was guided by the Holy Spirit to select Pastpr Pope to serve in this capacity. Years later Rev. Vickers was assigned by God to another ministry in the City of Lithonia, and Pastor Pope was asked to serve as the Interim Pastor of Beulah Baptist Church. During this time the Lord directed him to bring the congregation back into the Sanctuary at the end of Covid 19. Under Pastor Pope’s assignment as Interim Pastor, there was the hiring of a new Minister of Music, reorganizing and initiating the Media team for Videography & Audio, Beulah Baptist Church paid off a Church Note, held its first Ministry Fair and also initiated the Stain Glass Window Project. 

In the fall of 2023 Pastor Pope accepted a position as the Interim Pastor of New Morning Light Baptist Church, in Conley GA. Working alongside the Senior Pastor Charles Spencer Hamilton, during the time of his National Guard Deployment. In January 2025, Pastor Pope accepted the call to be the Assistant Pastor of New Morning Light Baptist Church. 

Additionally, Pastor Pope has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout the Creditors Rights area of Law. Formerly worked as a Bankruptcy Mediator for Georgia, Florida, Nevada & Arizona Bankruptcy Courts at a National Law Firm. He served as host of the Higher Dimensions Radio Talk Show, where discussions were held on topics of Social, Religion and Political Issues. Pastor Pope is the CEO of The Pope Center Atlanta and currently holds a Winter Coat Drive yearly for Atlanta’s Homeless Citizens. 

He is presently seeking a Bachelor of Arts in Business Organization & Management from Morris Brown College. He is the proud father of Jordan Alexis Pope. Pastor Pope’s greatest desire is to see the Body of Christ Rise to the dimension where we reflect God’s image and excellence on earth.

Executive Pastor

Pastor Sandra Hood has dedicated over 30 years to serving as an evangelist. Ordained in 2003 by Pastor Robert Hodo at New Morning Light Baptist Church, she later founded the "God Equipping Disciples" ministry, inspired by Matthew 9:37-38. Currently, she serves as Executive Pastor of New Morning Light under the leadership of Pastor Charles Spencer Hamilton. She cherishes her family, including her son Maurice Brock, two granddaughters, a goddaughter, a godson, and a play daughter. Pastor Hood embodies Proverbs 11:30, striving to win souls for the Lord.

Associate Minister (Christian Education)

Minister Wilson is a native of Lexington, Kentucky. She graduated from Lafayette Senior High School and is a proud graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Southern Studies. 

After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she enrolled at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. While attending Candler, she served as a chaplain intern at Lee Arrendale State Prison for Women. She also served as a pastoral intern at First Baptist Church, Greenville, SC; Lake Oconee Church; Lake Oconee, GA; and Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, Atlanta, GA. In 2015, she graduated with her Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling. She also earned a certificate in Women, Theology, and Ministry. Minister Wilson also received the St. Luke’s Award for Excellence in Worship Planning. Minister Wilson is enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Candler, with a concentration in Leadership and Community, and has a matriculation date of May 2026.

Since 2015, Minister Wilson has been employed at the Global Offices of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship as the Manager of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling Ministries. She has also worked to receive her certification as a life coach through Coach Approach Ministries. In November 2023, she received her certification as an Intentional Interim Minister with the Center for Healthy Churches. In addition to her duties at NML, she serves as an interim minister at Central Baptist Church in Lexington, KY.

Prior to joining NML, she held positions at her local church as a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent of High School teens, VBS Director, chaired the Nominating Committee, was president of the Usher Board, and was a member of the Pastor’s Aid and Strategic Development Committees and an avid choir member.

Minister Wilson grounds her call to ministry from Isaiah 61:1-4. Her life scripture is from Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (KJV)

Of all of the ways God has blessed her, Minister Wilson is most thankful of being a mom to her three children.

 Associate Minister (Youth & Young Adults)

Minister Diana Desiree Clinton was born on January 19, 1993, in Pulaski, Missouri, to retired U.S. Army’s parents, Diane Goodlett and Freddie Clinton. Alongside her twin brother, Demetrius Desmond Clinton, Diana was raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, before moving to Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 12 to live with her mother.

Diana graduated from Morrow High School on May 12, 2012, where she was an active member of the Morrow High School Step Team. She later attended Empire Beauty School in Morrow, Georgia, earning her Master of Arts in Cosmetology in May 2014.

In the summer of 2017, Diana worked as a Summer Camp Counselor Assistant at Mrs. B’s Camp Starlight in Conley, Georgia. At the age of 23, she answered her divine calling and pursued her passion for ministry by attending New Orleans Theological Baptist Seminary School in East Point, Georgia. She graduated with a Pastoral Ministry Certificate on May 18, 2018.

Minister Diana has been a dedicated member of New Morning Light Baptist Church, where she served in various capacities, including as a member of the Young Adult Climbing Higher Together (YACHT) Ministry, the Young Adult Committee Choir, and the Adult Choir.

Through her unwavering faith and commitment to service, Minister Diana continues to inspire those around her with her passion for ministry and her dedication to uplifting her community.