SENIOR PASTOR
Rev. Dr. Reginald W. Williams, Jr.
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Reginald W. Williams Jr. is the first of three children born to Dr. Reginald Sr. and the late Atty. Marcelle H. Williams. He was born and raised in Chicago, IL, into a family, which acknowledged and affirmed a spirituality that serves God by serving God’s people, particularly in the cause of liberation. Dr. Williams pride and joy comes in the persons of his two daughters: Miss Nia Mar’Celle Williams and Laila Imani Williams.
Dr. Williams is a graduate of Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, Florida A & M University (cum laude), the University of Wisconsin Law School, and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University where he earned his Master of Divinity (2002), and Doctorate of Ministry (2017). Upon the completion of his M.Div requirements at Virginia Union University, Rev. Williams, was called to serve the Trinity United Church of Christ under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., as the Associate Pastor for Justice Ministries. Since September of 2008, Dr. Williams has served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of University Park, IL.
Pastor Williams at First Baptist of University Park
Dr. Williams has been awarded numerous honors and commendations for his commitment to people and progress. He served as Social Actions chairperson for the Florida A & M University NAACP college chapter, as well as Community Service co-chairperson for the Beta Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was honored by the Wisconsin State Bar as the Public Interest Law Student of the Year for 1998, in addition to a number of other honors bestowed upon him by the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dr. Williams was also honored as a member of “Who’s Who in Black Chicago” for the year 2008, the 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Image Award for service to the Community by the South Suburban Martin Luther King Jr., Celebration Committee, the 2018 Spiritual Leader of the year by Chamber 57, and the 2019 IDEAL Education Foundation Award for Community Leadership continuing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. Williams’ serves as adjunct professor at McCormick Theological Seminary, and Chicago Theological Seminary in the areas of Social Justice Ministry in the local Church, and Prophetic Preaching. Dr. Williams is a sought after speaker and lecturer, in addition to being a visionary, prophetic pastor who seeks to lead through a spiritually centered and culturally relevant praxis that brings liberation to all of God’s children.
Staff
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Meet the staff of First Baptist Church of University Park
