St. Paul’s Missionary Baptist Church will host a 40th Anniversary event, honoring Dr. Ephraim Williams and his late wife Carrie Sue Williams, celebrating a life and ministry focused on God. The theme of the celebration is “1971-2011 Glory To God Alone.” Senior Staff Writer, Donna Ramos of THE HUB Magazine recently spoke with Pastor Williams about the upcoming honorable affair to take place at the Radisson Hotel on May 20.
THE HUB: 41 years in the ministry, 40 years as a pastor and 6 ½ years as a preacher, that is quite an accomplishment. Dr. Williams what has been your objective or goal during all these years?
PASTOR WILLIAMS: To follow the direction of the holy spirit after being called by the spirit of the living God to be obedient working with people to build them up to be strong Christians and citizens; strong families and family members.
THE HUB: Your church offers so many services and programs, over 80 to meet the needs of people including: an after school academy, clothes giveaway, employment assistant, support for grandparents raising grandchildren and mentoring for boys and girls. Is there one program or service that far outweighs the other?
PASTOR WILLIAMS To teach people how to study the word of God, which would lead them into how to handle other, issues, problems and challenges.
THE HUB: What will the church be doing in the future to lead the community and continue investing in it?
PASTOR WILLIAMS: The church has a lot of property, 24 undeveloped lots, one is 2 acres. We bought them because God isn’t making any more land. I’d like to see the church develop these lots, 2 in particular into one lot and build senior citizen housing and emergency housing. We always have people who find themselves in dire need. I come from a background where the church should be out front leading the community, showing how to be strong families, urging people to make arrangements to go into business. That’s why we stayed here in the community; we need more businesses in the African-American community. Money doesn’t stay in our community.
THE HUB: The theme of your 40th celebration is “Glory To God Alone”, how did you arrive at that theme?
PASTOR WILLIAMS: The Banquet Committee presented it to me and it was fine, so we went with it.
THE HUB: How were the performers chosen?
PASTOR WILLIAMS: The master of ceremonies grew up here and the singer is my cousin. He and his brother were here in September and they rocked the church.
THE HUB: What is your favorite gospel song?
PASTOR WILLIAMS: “Your Grace and Mercy Brought Me Through.”
THE HUB: What was your wife Carrie Sue’s favorite gospel song?
PASTOR WILLIAMS: That song and also “I Want To See Him”, she hummed that a lot. She really did love people. We were married 65 years, 5 months and 2 weeks, in all that time I never heard her talk about people, she found the good in them. My wife worked with me 100% in the ministry; she was an excellent wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
THE HUB: What advice do you give to those wanting to go into the ministry?
PASTOR WILLIAMS: I question their commitment to do it. They must be student-minded and want to learn and study. There is lots tied to it, it is hard. If they are married I tell them to make sure their family supports them on this.
THE HUB: Why do you think your ministerial career has lasted so long? Is there a secret to its longevity?
PASTOR WILLIAMS: The main reason is I was called by God. I surrendered all I had within and followed the dictation of the Holy Spirit to me. It wasn’t popular but I wanted God to lead me and guide me to be a successful pastor for the kingdom of God.
THE HUB: What do you remember about your first sermon?
PASTOR WILLIAMS: I was scared and trembling. It was at Greater Life Baptist Church under Dr. Joseph Williams, the subject was, “The Woman That Touched the Hem of Jesus’ Garment, Faith in Action.”
The 40th Anniversary Celebration, in honor of Dr. Williams and the late Mrs. Carrie Sue Williams, will be held at the Radisson Grand Ballroom, 500 Leisure Lane in Sacramento. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Taking place on Fri-5/20 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The special guests will besinger Melvin Williams (The Williams Brothers) and comedian Walter Campbell. $45/person and $450 for Table of 10.
For more info contact the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church
office at (916) 737-7070. Visit www.stpaulsac.org
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