Pastor
Elder James E. Williams is the Senior Pastor of the Rock Church of God by Faith. He was the first child of 9 born to Elder James Williams and the Late Mother Cora Williams. Raised in the Gainesville, FL area, he was saved at the age of 16. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the US Army for three years. He served in Vietnam and received medals of honor upon his discharge.
December 26, 1968, he was united in marriage to Lillie Pearl Hampton and remained in High Springs, FL until January 1970 when he relocated to Tampa, FL and transitioned his membership to the Tampa Church of God by Faith. Upon arriving to the church he served one year under the then present pastor, the Late Elder Robert L. Evans. He then faithfully served under Elder Albert Landers, Jr. as Chairman Deacon until accepting the call into the ministry in 1991. He served as an associate minister under Elder Landers for 6 years until his appointment to the Ft Myers Church of God by Faith. During his tenure at Ft. Myers, he also served as pastor of the Plant City Church of God by Faith for two years. In 2007, Elder Williams was appointed as pastor of the Tampa Church of God by Faith (also known as Little Rock Church of God by Faith). In addition to the pastoral appointment, the Executive Council of the Churches of God by Faith also named him as the Assistant District Elder of the Tampa WestCoast District. Following the demise of Dr. Albert Landers, Jr (District Elder during this time) in 2008, the Council appointed him to the office of District Elder. Because of his faithfulness to his duties as Pastor and District Elder and because of his tenacity to see things done in the spirit of excellence, in December 2014, the Executive Council along with the Elders and Deacon Council elected Elder Williams to the office of Ruling Elder of the Churches of God by Faith.
Other offices that he has held thus far in his tenure has been Sunday School teacher, Chairman of the District Finance Board, Secretary for the church’s National Finance Board and member of the National board of Deacons. He is also the proud father of 5 children. Elder Williams is a visionary and possesses a passion for the spiritual and physical well-being of mankind. He is a firm believer of the power of prayer and ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are in need of salvation.
Wife
Mother Lillie P. Williams is the leading lady of the Rock Church of God by Faith. She was born April 9, 1950 in Lake City, FL to Jessie Hampton and Mother Beatrice Hopkins Hampton. Mother Williams was saved at the age of 18 in the city of High Springs, FL under the leadership of Elder Timothy Reid.
December 26, 1968, she was united in matrimony to James E. Williams. To this union, 5 children were born. They relocated to Tampa in January 1970 and started her journey with the Tampa Church of God by Faith. Soon after becoming a member, she began her service as the church Financial Secretary. She held that position for 25 years. Because of her husband’s call into the ministry, she began serving the church in other capacities such as Home Mission President, Sisters in Action for Christ Women’s group leader, President of the Tampa WestCoast District Pastors’ Wives Board, the Florida State Association of East Hillsborough Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows and member of the church’s local neighborhood association community board. She also faithfully served by her husband’s side as they journeyed to serve both Ft. Myers and Plant City Churches of God by Faith.
Mother Williams has a passion for people especially to those that are unsaved, sick and needy which makes her a perfect fit to serve as the Home Mission President of the Rock Church of God by Faith. She is a person that loves people, loves the church and loves her family. She is a woman that believes in the power of prayer. As her husband, she is totally dedicated to the church and its mission and purpose.