Imparting Christ from My Home Town Home to the Nations
Min. Richard Williams Jr. sat with me at House of Abba LLC and began to share his ministry journey and his passion for God's people. Richard, a close childhood church friend of mine has ventured beyond the city limits of Conway SC to take the gospel to the country and to the nations from China, Baltimore, and to Africa. Richard spoke about his passion and call to God's people in many different forms. Richard is not only an outstanding orator but also has the ability to take you to places in worship that makes you feel right at home if you are from the south. If you are not from the south, or rather you just enjoy classical and Broadway musical genre of music, Richard has profound training and the range to perform that as well rather it's in a church setting or on the stage as he acts in musicals and plays.
Richard, while now on a journey that he says, is finally freedom to be able to have time to move to the next step to pursue his ministry and call from God. Though unsure of where he is being led at this time, he is trusting and believing that God will lead him and guide him. He is very clear that he is not trying to start a church in response to some rumors, but believes strongly that churches build churches and He is waiting on God to reveal to him which church he is to help if any at this time. He says, "That people have split churches when the real call is to reconcile and his ministry will be based on reconciliation."
Richard is clear that the pulpit is not the only place to share the gospel. Though not tied to a particular church at this time, his ministry has not stopped and knows that God has not removed him from his call. Richard is fervent in his need to share with people here in the states how easy and free we are here to share the gospel and to lead people to Christ. After his travels in China he reflected on times where they could share the Gospel but, could not give people the invitation to accept Jesus Christ. He realized he took for granted the fact that he was raised in a Christian family and did not have to fight the fight of being amongst unbelievers in his own home. Richard says he shares this story with young people while he is ministering.
The un-churched is a population that Richard believes that many churches are leaving out when focusing on missions and evangelism. "The ages of 18-31 are being lost," he said, "We are not preaching from relevant places and as a result we are losing a generation." "The world is moving but we are not moving forward." "We are teaching and preaching out of tradition and tradition means to keep up the wishes and the hopes of the dead." "We must keep tradition as a launching pad, but it is not about the end all be all." I intend to seek out those outside of the church and to teach them the gospel by building relationship with people." Richard believes that people are looking for relationship and a Para-teacher to walk beside them and to help them through this journey to grow spiritually. Richard believes that this is a greater platform and a greater responsibility.
Forgiveness was a topic of discussion between Richard and I about when doors close and relationships end. Though Richard chose not to discuss his recent departure from his former youth pastor assignment one thing is clear, Richard understands that it is important to give time and space for healing and forgiveness to occur. He also believes that once healing has completed then the doors will begin to swing wide open and God's next need of him will be revealed. Richard tells a story of when doors close people are left in the hallway. He says he looks at the doors and waits for Jesus to say which one to open and which one to walk through. Right now he feels he is in a 'Time Out' experience where he must focused on Faith, Family, and his health. Richard spoke about being a diabetic and admits that this is a daily struggle for him and he is still working on eating health and exercising as he is instructed.
During my interview with Richard, he was direct, straight to the point, and very serious about seeking God and not making a step until God says where he should plant his feet. It's rare to find a young man who is dedicated to discovering all that God has for him and who is willing to take on the ministry of learning the process of being a new father and husband all at the same time. Richard's story is one that many preachers can relate to when it comes to knowing when to be still, when to open a door, and when to walk through it. He is in a place of seeking God and waiting on the next instructions. I pray and believe that Richard will do just that!