United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church

Rev. Stephan Lillie

Youth Minister

Rev. Stephan Lillie is an humble yet bold leader with a passion for people and being a voice for those who do not have one. Originally from Houston, Texas by way of Boston, Massachusetts, he is a fifth-generation Baptist preacher on his mother’s side and third generation on his father’s side. His sincere heart for the work of the Ministry stems from his testimony of God touching his life at a very young age and God’s faithfulness in his life ever since. Additionally, he acknowledges the tremendous example that his parents and grandparents have lived before him which established his foundation.

Stephan has served in ministry since he was a child. Most recently, while at Western Avenue Baptist Church (Cambridge, MA) and previously at his home church at Greater True Faith Missionary Baptist Church (Houston, Tx), he served and lead in various capacities including but not limited to Associate Minister, Sunday School Superintendent/Teacher, Teaching & Formation Leader, Evangelism Ministry Leader, Young Adult Ministry Leader, Children & Youth Minister, Finance and Administration.

Stephan, his wife Rashonner, and their son Lawson, reside in Greensboro, North Carolina after transition to the Triad in the Summer of 2021. His wife serves as Private Wealth Advisor, Managing Director at Ameriprise Financial. He serves in executive leadership at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. Rashonner is a graduate of Sam Houston State University. Stephan obtained his Bachelor’s in Finance from Texas A&M University, and his Masters of Business Administration from Rice University. They are both graduates of the Leadership Winston-Insight Class of 2022. Stephan currently sits on the Forsyth Technical Community College Foundation Board and the Leadership Winston Board of Directors.

Their greatest joy is raising their son in the fear and admonition of God and assimilating to life in the Carolinas where they now call it home.

Lennis Cooper

Minister of Music, Ext (110)

Lennis Cooper, Jr. received a Masters of Music degree in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro on May 13, 2001 and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in May 2000 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and a minor in Computer Science.

Affiliations during his collegiate career include membership in the Collegiate Music Educators National Conference, membership in the American Choral Directors Association, membership in Phi Mu Alpha Music Sinfonia, membership in Cornelia Strong Honors College, past Treasurer and President of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, and Vice-President of the Raleigh-Durham Triangle Chapter of the Thomas A. Dorsey National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses.

Mr. Cooper began his music ministry at the age of fourteen at Union Baptist Church of Durham, North Carolina. While at Union, he was the musician/choir director for the Grady Davis Senior Choir, Male Chorus, Sunday School Department, and Voices In Union. He also rendered service for the Male Chorus of Cain’s Chapel Baptist Church of Hillsborough, North Carolina. His other church affiliations include Community Baptist Church of Durham, Trinity A.M.E. Zion of Greensboro, Shiloh Baptist Church of Greensboro, and United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church of Winston-Salem.

Additionally, Mr. Cooper has taught private piano and voice in Durham and Greensboro, North Carolina. He served as the Gospel Piano and Gospel Voice Instructor at the Music Academy of North Carolina in Greensboro. For almost thirteen years, he was the choral director of Mendenhall Middle School of Greensboro, North Carolina.

Currently, Mr. Cooper serves as the Minister of Music and Fine Arts of United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. He maintains private voice and piano students within the triad area. Mr. Cooper continues to explore additional career and educational options including higher education instruction and the pursuit of a doctorate degree.