Keith Marshall Williams, Sr. 

“Greater love hath no man than this, than a man who
will lay down his life for his friends…”
 John 15:13.

For the past 25 years, Pastor Keith Marshall Williams, Sr. has embodied the very essence of this profound and sagacious scripture in serving as the undershepherd of the historic Nazarene Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since his arrival, God has abundantly blessed Nazarene and its surrounding community through Pastor Williams’ unfailing dedication and steadfast commitment to strengthening families and enriching lives through the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

During his tenure, conversions, congregational ministries and community outreach endeavors have grown exponentially.  Church membership has increased over 70 percent under his leadership. He is universally recognized as a visionary, innovator and organizer with superior and uncommon leadership qualities. A “pastor’s pastor”, his unique giftings transcends denominational, cultural, ethnical and generational boundaries. He is a nationally sought after preacher, lecturer and advisor.

In 1978, Pastor Williams received his BA degree from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN where he served as Religious Life Co-Commissioner and Vice-President of both the Augsburg Education Association and the Black Students Union. He also starred in football and basketball and was named to the “All-American” Lutheran Collegiate Football Team. While at Augsburg, he was also selected as a missionary with Sports Ambassadors, a basketball evangelism ministry team, which toured the Philippines, Hong Kong, Tokyo and five countries in Africa.

He furthered his education and received his Masters of Divinity Degree from the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1981. During his matriculation at Eastern, he commenced his pastoral ministry at The Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Glassboro, New Jersey and by divine enablement also served as an adjunct chaplain and Bible expositor for the Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles and 76ers.

In June of 1984, Pastor Williams was called as the sixth pastor of the historic Nazarene Baptist Church. His leadership has produced a spiritual explosion evidenced by unprecedented membership growth and congregational ministries that meet the needs of members from ages 2 to 92. A pursuit of personal holiness, integrity, intelligence and an undying love of people, combined with passionate, sound biblical preaching, teaching and discipleship have characterized his successful and flourishing pastorate. He led Nazarene in its Capital Stewardship Campaign which raised $1.2 million towards the church’s building fund, culminating in the construction and completion of a $3.2 million church edifice in May of 1996.  Future plans include the development of Nazarene’s 93 acre camp ground in Lahaska, Pennsylvania into a multi-service Christian Camping and Conference Center.  In November 2006 and again in 2007, he was elected President of the 70,000 member Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania/South Jersey.  In January 2007, he was elected the first President of the Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania/South Jersey African American Fellowship. In March 2007 and again in 2008, he was elected President of the State Convention Presidents Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Remarkably, Pastor Williams still finds time to serve his community. Among the many boards that he currently sits upon include: Vice-President of The Georgia E. Gregory Interdenominational School of Music, Nazarene Community Development Corporation, and No More Xcuses Ministries. He is also the Chairman of the Diversity Committee of the Board of Trustees, Director of Community Outreach for the prestigious Germantown Academy of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania and a founding trustee of the Community Partnership School in North Philadelphia.

His love for Jesus Christ and the people of God have led him to speak and preach in churches, seminars and conferences throughout the country including: the Mighty Men of Valor (MVM) National Men’s Conference, LifeWay Church Resources National Stand Firm Men’s Conference, North American Mission Board, Pennsylvania Baptist State Congress of Christian Education and the National Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His ministry accomplishments have been highlighted in several publications including the National Christian Athlete and Growing Churches magazines and Penn Jersey Baptist Journal, where he served as a columnist. He was the1992 Clergy of the Year, an honor bestowed by Church Musicians Services (CMS).

Pastor Williams is the son of Doris E. Howard of Paoli, Pennsylvania.  He is married to the former Constance L. Jones of Riverton, New Jersey, a  fourth  grade teacher at Germantown Academy. They are the proud parents of three children, Keith Jr. (26), a Masters of Divinity candidate and Presidents Scholar at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, Texas; Courtney Lynee’ (24), a pre-school teacher at Bala Cynwd School for Young Children (husband Steven T. Stotts); and Chierra Lindsay (16), a sophomore at Germantown Academy. To God Be the Glory!