PASTOR’S CORNER

Rev. Allen J. Williams, Jr., was born in June of 1981 in New Orleans, La. He attended the public schools in Jefferson Parish, and graduate May, 1999 from Alfred T. Bonnabel High School in Kenner, La. He later matriculated to the University of New Orleans, and in 2004 he obtained the Bachelor’s of Arts in Instrumental Music Education. After the landing of Hurricane Katrina, Allen relocated to Houston, Texas, where he continued his studies in education and obtained the Master’s of Education, with a focus in Teacher Leadership, from Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas in 2015. Currently, he is in the final stages of obtaining the Doctorate of Education, with a focus in innovative leadership from St. Thomas University, Miami Gardens, Florida.

Rev. Williams always had a passion for music, especially church music. At the age of 12, he was given permission to be the Minister of Music at his home church, St. Peter AME church – Carrollton, in New Orleans, Louisiana. For over 15 years, he was the church’s lead musician. Even as he lived in Houston, Texas, in 2008, he made a way to be at St. Peter every Sunday for worship service. He also served as a musician for other churches, including Union Bethel AMEC in New Orleans, Historic St. James AMEC in New Orleans, Cummings-Wilson AMEC in New Orleans, Historic St. John AMEC in New Orleans, and Bethel AMEC in New Orleans. It was in the year 2004, that Bishop C. Garnett Henning appointed him the Louisiana Annual Conference’s Director of Music. He held this title until 2008, when Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry promoted him to be the Director of Music for the 8th Episcopal District, which encompasses the states of Louisiana & Mississippi. While in Houston, he served as Minister of Music at Greater Ward AME church, in Acres Homes for three years, and as staffed musician at Johnson Chapel in Houston and Shiloh AME in Galveston, Texas.

In March of 2008, Rev. Williams yielded to the voice of God, and answered the call to the pastoral ministry. On June 8, 2008, Rev. Williams preached his trial sermon “You’ve got to show that you’re thankful”, Luke 17:11-19, at his home church of St. Peter on his 27th birthday. It was then that the Rev. David E. Smith, presented him to the 3rd Quarterly conference, and he was licensed to preach by the Rev. John K. Holiday, the Presiding Elder. In January 2010, Rev. Williams then attended Payne Theological Seminary, in Wilberforce, Ohio. In May 2012, Rev. Williams obtained the Master’s of Divinity degree from Payne Seminary. His thesis was entitled “The role of music as therapy in the African American church”. He was elected and ordained and itinerate deacon in 2010 at Allen Chapel AME church in Baton Rouge, La., and elected and ordained an itinerate elder in 2012 at Bonner- Campbell college in Edwards, Ms. by Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry.

In November 2013, Bishop Julius H. McAllister, Sr., appointed Rev. Williams to the pastoral charge of Grover Chapel AME church, in Glenmora, La. Grover Chapel had just undergone major damage to the roof of the church and fellowship hall from a recent storm. Within the first month of arriving to the 13 member congregation, Rev. Williams was able to lead the church in rebuilding the roof and having it paid in full. To God be the glory. The church grew in membership and was moving toward the next project of rebuilding the fellowship hall.

In November 2014, Bishop McAllister appointed Rev. Williams to the pastoral charge of Bethel AME Church, in DeQuincy, La. There Rev. Williams lead the congregants in purchasing an organ, repurposing funds to hire a musician and a janitor. The membership grew when the congregation changed Church School to Wednesday night instead of Sunday mornings. In the year 2015, Bethel would host the MLK parade and worship service. Following recent police brutality events across the country, Rev. Williams used this opportunity to invite law enforcement and local government agencies to have a forum with the community. This service led to the creation of the citywide Black History program, which included the participation of the seven black churches in the area and the development of a Black History Scholarship. His focus on ministry in Calcasieu Parish is social, economic and political justice. He helped develop a social action committee of Bethel AME & St. Paul AME that is inviting of other church congregations of different cultures.

In November 2019, Bishop McAllister appointed Pastor Williams to the pastoral charge of St. Paul AME church in Lake Charles.

Rev. Williams is currently employed by the Houston Independent School district, where he serves at James Madison High School since 2006. At Madison he serves as the Director of Choirs, Orchestra Director, Guitar instructor, and the Fine Arts Dept. Chair. He has served as an AP reader for the AP Music theory exam, presented professional developments for teachers in the district and has helped write the music curriculum for the school district.

In his leisure time, Rev. Williams enjoys traveling and cooking. He has a personal goal to visit all 50 states before he turns the age 50. Currently, he has 39, and has 11 more years to accomplish this goal. Rev. Williams is also the proud dog-parent of Baxter, his Yorkshire terrier.