Dr. Gary L. Williams, Sr. is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, and the younger of two sons born to Alfreda Williams and the late Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Williams.
The spiritual odyssey of Dr. Williams began at age nine and continues to unfold. He accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of his life at the tender age of nine. At age 25, he was licensed and ordained in the Gospel Ministry. In January of 1990, he became the senior pastor of Hopewell, formerly First Baptist Church of Mandarin.
Under the leadership of Dr. Williams, Hopewell has grown from less than 100 members to several thousand. Guided by the Spirit of God, Hopewell has become a multi-faceted church, and is presently one church in two locations (Jacksonville, Florida and St. Johns County, Florida). He is also the founder of the Village of Hope in Malawi Africa. The Village of Hope is a spiritual and educational haven (Bible, tailoring, and literacy) for the indigenous people of Malawi.
Dr. Williams earned both his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies and a master’s degree in Apologetics from Luther Rice University. He has received Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degrees from Trinity Baptist College, Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary, and Edward Waters College.
Some of his numerous awards and civic affiliations are as follows:
• Appointed by former Governor Charlie Crist, he served on the One Church One Child Board of Directors.
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Outstanding Leadership Award
• 1996 African American Achievers Award
• El-Beth-El Divine Holiness Outstanding Leadership Award 2001
• Board of Directors for the YMCA
• Big Brothers, Big Sisters
• Jacksonville Jaycees
• 1997-1998 Co-Chair of Inter-Church Coalition for Action
• Reconciliation and Empowerment
• President of Preachers and Pastors Conference
• 1996 Outstanding Young Man of America 30th Anniversary edition
• 100 Black Men Outstanding Leader
• Take Stock in Children
• Chairman of the Unity in the Community Benefit for Edward Waters College
• Board of Directors Feeding Northeast Florida
• By special request, he serves as Chaplain to the Jacksonville Jaguars
Dr. Williams has traveled the nation and the world, including Russia, Australia, South Africa, Malawi Africa, Cuba, Israel, Germany, and many other countries preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Williams is the author of eight books:
• Man to Man
• Why Can’t I Hold On to this Grudge?
• Deliverance from the Down Low
• Tricked
• Prevailing Over Pornography
• 21 Days to Breakthrough
• Man to Woman
• Mended Nuptials
Dr. Williams is the husband of Maxine, the father of Jason, Keianna, Brittany, Gary, Jr., and grandfather to Trey, Autumn, Erin, Elliana, Jaisley, and Tristan.