Pastor Dr. E.M. Williams, D.Min.

 

His ministry preparation includes an unusually focused Christian upbringing.  His father and pastor of over forty years, Dr. R. C. Williams Sr., and nurturing Christian mother, Alma Williams provided an ideal environment for honoring God with and for the gift of children.  He shares his calling into the ministry along with seven of eight other siblings.  

 

He announced his calling into the ministry in the local newspaper at age seven; however, it was not until age twenty-seven that he finally accepted the call.  At that time, he fully submitted himself into the hands of God in preparing him for ministry.  His formal preparations include attending San Diego State University, earning and receiving two undergraduate degrees from the former Linda Vista Bible College & Seminary (Southern California Seminary) and Christian Heritage College, Masters of Divinity degree from Bethel Theological Seminary, entered his Doctoral Ministry at Bethel University and completion of Doctoral Ministry at degree from Faith Seminary.  His Formal Preparations count for nothing outside of the Spiritual Preparation to which God has supplied.  Because of the providential hand of God, he echoes the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:8-14.

 

His ministry experience includes twenty-six years and counting as a Pastor-Teacher, the President of Progressive Baptist District Association Congress on Christian Education. Prior as Dean, previous Dean of Baptist Ministers Fellowship of San Diego and Vicinity, Dean and Professor at Southern California Bible Institute, author of “CLOM” (Council of Licensing and Ordaining Ministers), as well as a wide array of ministry experiences.  Dr. E. M. Williams currently serves as pastor of St. Luke Holy Baptist Church of Long Beach, California, and Dean of California Missionary Baptist State Convention.  

Pastor Williams has a has a love for sharing his gifts to God’s glory and preparing others for ministry.  Above all, his ministry focal verse expresses his sentiments in I Timothy 1:12.

 

Pastor Williams strategically leads St. Luke Church through the usage of yearly themes. Our 2015 theme, Maintaining Ministry & Embracing Change, Luke 5:37-39, we made precise movements to preserve the Ministry’s at St. Luke Church while move forward. The 2016 theme, Becoming the Church that God Blesses, Acts 2:42-47, where we began to actualized behaviors that are reward blessings from God. Our 2017 theme was Our Church Connecting & Cooperating, I Corinthians 12:25-26. Paul reminds us that failing to connect is critical. The particular reason for this circumstance is without connection, death is eminent, and failing to cooperate complicates the functioning of the body. The 2018 theme, Maximizing Our Potential, John 15:5. Jesus tells us that if we are not connected to Him, we cannot and will not maximize anything; an extension of the previous theme. Our 2019 theme, Footprints: Evidence of and Effective Church, Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8, we illustrated to onlookers that St. Luke Church was here. And how did they know? By our FOOTPRINTS. Our 2020 the year of clarity and vision. The theme was Balancing Worship & Word, John 4:23-24, Jesus so clearly and eloquently states that True Worshippers, worship with a balance of Worship & Word. True worshippers seek, study, and submit to God’s Word. Now our 2021 theme, Adjusting for Advancement, Philippians 3:13b, where we will make adjustment and we will make advancements for The Ministry at St. Luke Holy Baptist Church. 

 

These themes have been guiding principles. We understand the importance of Balancing Worship & Word, and as such, we have become “THE Worship & Word” Church. Giving equal importance of good worship AND good word. 

 

First Lady, Dr. V,  D.Min.

 

Dr. Valanda Williams, affectionately called “Dr. V” or First Lady “V” shares a strong Christian upbringing by her mother, Mother Parks.” She obtained her B. A. Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University, Dual Master's in Counseling and Psychology & Religious Studies, Southern California Seminary, and D. Min. with an Emphasis on Strategic Leadership, Faith Evangelical College & Seminary.

 

Dr. V's ministries focus on developing strong marriages, family support systems, and most importantly, community outreach. She was recorded saying, “I love community outreach! That is my heart.”

 

Dr. V’s approach to ministry is deeply rooted in compassion, connection, and service. She is passionate about meeting the needs of others, whether they are members of St. Luke Church or in the surrounding community.

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Currently, Dr. V serves as the Community Ministries Director. Birthed in San Diego, the Community Ministries, affectionately known as the CAP's Program, sought to meet the needs of the church and community through food pantry distribution, financial assistance, and holiday gift baskets for children of all ages. Now, as a ministry of St. Luke Church, the Community Ministries meets the needs of the ever-present homeless population on the West Side of Long Beach, single-parent households, seniors, and low-income families.

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Dr. V's experience includes helping at-risk teen mothers, foster youth, young adults, adults, and the homeless population in a wide spectrum of mental health challenges. She believes that "Everyone has mental health challenges, it to what degree." Some Christians believe that if God cannot fix it it cannot be done; in the same breathe, our Merciful Creator made doctors, therapists, and medical marvels to meet the needs of His creations.

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Dr. V continues to stand beside her husband, Dr. E. M. Williams, offering unwavering support in all his endeavors while also pouring love and encouragement into the lives of her children and grandchildren. Her ministry is a living expression of faith in action.