Al Williams, ministerial director and assistant to the president for Rocky Mountain Conference for the past 10 years, has chosen to retire after 42 years of denominational work. But retirement will not mean inactivity. His new role is coordinator for the outreach initiative Awaken Wyoming.
A graduate of Andrews University, Williams began his career with the Indiana Conference in 1971 where he pastored a church and then taught at Indiana Academy. During his years there, he completed a master’s degree in religion and a Master’s of Divinity.
In 1980, he was called to New Jersey where he served at Hackettstown Hospital as director of community relations, development and pastoral care. His wife Shari, a nurse, directed the intensive care unit.
When invited in 1986 by then-president Don Schneider, Williams came to the Rocky Mountain Conference, where he served as pastor at the Casper Church and then at Campion Academy.
Since joining the conference office team in 1990, Williams has filled many roles, including Sabbath school director, personal ministries director and community services director. As ministerial director he has always been available to the pastors, according to Ted Williams, pastor of the Fort Lupton Church. “He is an example of what God can do with a Spirit-filled, educated and dedicated disciple,” Williams said.
After being asked to work with Family Life, Williams began a doctorate in marriage and family therapy. Working with couples in therapy has been a significant part of his ministry.
“There’s no way to truly calculate the number of lives that Al Williams has touched during his ministry here,” stated president Gary Thurber. “As a pastor, he nurtured and led numerous congregations to be a great lighthouse to the communities around them. As a ministerial director, he has encouraged many pastors on their journey in ministry. I am so thankful that he is willing to continue his leadership through Awaken Wyoming.”
As he spearheads this project, Williams believes the only way to truly awaken Wyoming is by helping members there develop a relationship with Jesus through a powerful prayer life. “Awaken Wyoming is not something I can do,” explained Williams, “but God has made every provision for success. I can’t use the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit wants to use me. God’s vision for awakening Wyoming will happen—on an individual basis as I and others surrender and pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.”
Guest news writer Carol Bolden is membership coordinator and assistant to the communication director for the Rocky Mountain Conference.
Photo courtesy Rocky Mountain Conference
