Pastor Richard Williams Jr. served 29 years training soldiers in the military. Now he is training men and women for the kingdom of God.
A military retiree, Williams is the founder and pastor of Rhema Christian Fellowship Church of God in Christ in Hinesville. The church was established in 2010.
He is a native of Monroe, La., and has been in the ministry for 30 years, having served 10 as a pastor. While in the military, Williams was an assistant pastor in Germany for seven years. He also established the Abundant Life Fellowship Church in Walthourville in 2004 before he was reassigned by the military.
During his military career, Williams was assigned to Fort Polk, La.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Riley, Kan.; Fort Stewart; Germany; and Columbus, Ohio.
“I named the church Rhema after seeking the Lord. People are constantly saying they need a Rhema word. There is a living, right-now word for the people — a fresh word,” Williams said. “Our motto is: We are empowered through the word, for His word is power.
“My goals for 2011 are to bring the people of God into a deeper relationship with God and to get them to a higher level in God. I want to see them focus on the principles of God, as opposed to what is going on in the world,” he said.
“I am inspired when I see Christians grow and mature in the Lord and when souls are converted for the kingdom of God. God gets the glory,” Williams said.
Some of the ministries in operation at Rhema Christian Fellowship are men’s fellowship, women’s fellowship, music ministry (praise and worship), youth ministry and outreach ministry. “We evangelize as a group and individually,” the pastor said.
The late Bishop Gilbert E. Patterson, who served as the presiding prelate of the Church of God in Christ, was one of Williams’ spiritual leaders. “He was a great administrator and spiritual leader — full of information and the anointing,” Williams said.
“My state bishop, Mark Walden, is a man of great experience, wisdom and pastoral advice. He continuously provides assistance to me and the pastors under his jurisdiction. Superintendent Kenneth Thomas also provides assistance. He provides more direct supervision and support at the local level,” he said.
“God is calling us to be united. We must put God first and stay focused on Him. Do what God has called you to do. Be good stewards over what God has called you to do. He may not give you the same assignment as someone else,” the pastor said.
Williams also works with the Department of Veterans Affairs at Fort Stewart. “I am very versatile. I enjoy preaching, teaching, evangelizing, the prophetic and singing,” he said. In his leisure time, he enjoys horseback riding, fishing and working out.
Williams will graduate with his bachelor’s degree in general studies and business administration in December. He has an associate’s degree in general studies from Columbia University.
Williams and his wife of 28 years, Julie, have three sons. Julie Williams is an evangelist and works in child development. They live in Hinesville.
Rhema Christian Fellowship Church invites the community to worship with them on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. Bible Study is every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. “On the fifth Sundays we have a fellowship with other churches,” Williams said.
The church is at 230 Weeping Willow Drive off Highway 196 West in Hinesville. For more information, call 441-7881.