Ruling Elder James E. Williams
Ruling Elder James E. Williams
Ruling Elder James E. Williams was born and raised in the Church of God by Faith, Inc . He is the son of late Elder James, Sr. and the late Mother Cora Williams of the Gainesville District. He was saved at the age of 16. After graduation from high school, Elder Williams enlisted in the US Army. He is a proud Vietnam veteran.
​
The next paramount experience in his life occurred on December 26, 1968 when he married Lillie Hampton. In 1970, they moved to Tampa so Elder Williams could further his education. They became members of Little Rock Church of God by Faith.
From December 1970 until 1992, he served under Elder Albert Landers Jr. in several capacities including chairman deacon, assistant finance secretary on the South Florida District and finance board chairman of the Tampa Westcoast District. He was appointed to the National Finance Board in 1975 and served for 17 years; eight of the years as secretary to the board.
​
Elder Williams accepted his call into the ministry in 1991. He served as Associate Minister of Little Rock COGBF for six years. In 1997, after demonstrating leadership abilities with a promising vision, he was appointed as pastor of Fort Myers COGBF. During 1997-98, Elder Williams had a dual appointment to Fort Myers and Plant City. In December 1998, he was ordained and reappointed pastor at New Life Church of God By Faith, Fort Myers Florida, where he remained for ten years. His next appointment (December 2007) was pastor of Little Rock COGBF Tampa, Florida and Assistant Superintendent of the Tampa Westcoast District. After the demise of Dr. Albert Landers Jr., Elder Williams was appointed District Superintendent at the 2008 COGBF, Inc. National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. December 2014, he was elected Ruling Elder of the Church of God by Faith, Inc.
​
Elder Williams is a retired postmaster from the United States Postal service where he served for 35 years.
Through obedience to God's voice and His word, Elder Williams' teachings have enabled many to experience salvation, healing and deliverance. He believes in excellence, the power of prayer, and submitting always to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. His love for people and spreading the Word to the lost is demonstrated in his zeal to connect the church to the community.
Presently, Elder James E. Williams is the pastor of The Rock Church of God by Faith, Tampa, Florida, Emeritus District Superintendent of the Tampa Westcoast District and Executive Secretary of COGBF, Inc. Executive Council. Ruling Elder Williams and Mother Lillie Williams are the parents of five adult children and blessed with grand and great grand children.
Mother Lillie P. Williams
Mother Lillie P. Williams was born in Lake City, Florida and was saved at the age of 17 in the city of High Springs, Florida under the leadership of Elder Timothy Reid.
After relocating to Tampa, Florida in 1970 Sister Williams served as the Financial Secretary at Little Rock Church of God by Faith for twenty-five years. She remained active in the church in many capacities. Later she was appointed a Church Mother. Since Elder Williams' call to the ministry, Mother Williams has been a strong supporter of her husband's ministry. Mother Williams believes in cherishing her church family and enjoying people. She is a loving, outgoing, motivated person who is dedicated to her church and personal family. Like many others, she has experienced spiritual growth from her husband's teaching.
Over the years her passion has been to reach out to the unsaved, the sick, and the needy. Mother Williams presently serves as vice president of The Rock Church of God by Faith's Global Missions department, Tampa Westcoast District Pastors' Wives Board president, district prayer service coordinator, and as a member of the neighborhood's Community Board. She is a woman who believes in the power of prayer and in being fully devoted to God.
Mother Lillie Williams is the proud mother of five children, Everett Williams (Sheila), Tangi Jarman (Derryc), Audrey Sherman (Jason), Jeffrey Williams, and April Van Rivers (Santron). She has several grandchildren, great grandchildren and many spiritual children.