It is our pleasure and privilege to welcome Kent and Karen Williams to our Church Family and Staff. Kent will be with us in a new position as a Part-Time Family Pastor. Many of you already know his wife, Karen. Karen grew up here at JIBC and served faithfully in our youth ministry for years. She is the granddaughter of Ashton and Ruby Eadie, both have graduated to heaven now! Kent and Karen have 4 grown children and are adding son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws to the Williams Family Tree.
Kent has served in many churches over the years. He has served as Student Pastor and Mission Pastor. His involvement in missions has been extensive. While serving as our Family Pastor, Kent will leverage his years of experience as a Student Pastor by supervising a part-time Student Pastor Intern. He is actually in the process of interviewing a prospective Student Pastor Intern now.
To me, this is kind of like bringing a family member home. We have been connected with Kent and Karen over our entire 35 years at JIBC. Kent has worked with us on different mission projects and has preached for me when I needed a supply preacher. They are building a home off of Sol Legare Road so we anticipate them staying around for quite a while!
Our staff has been in conversation with Kent and Karen over the past months. We hosted a meet and greet for Kent and Karen at our last Ministry Management/Quarterly Ministry Meeting on March 10. The final “gauntlet” for Kent was to interview with my pastor buddies that I meet with every Friday morning. These two guys, Marshall Blalock and Curt Bradford have one goal: to do everything they can to make sure God is glorified in my life and ministry. He was approved!
We anticipate Kent’s first Staff meeting to be Monday, March 22 and his first Sunday to be Palm Sunday, March 28. I know he and Karen would covet and welcome your prayers as they begin this new journey with our church family.
“Behold, I am doing a new thing. Don’t you see it? I will provide water in the desert and a way in the wilderness.” Isaiah 43:19. As we have memorized and prayed this prayer, we are seeing our Father bring it into reality for JIBC. To God be the glory.
See you Sunday, Good Lord willing,
Pastor Tom
