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  23 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 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 seventy percent under his leadership. He is universally recognized as a visionary, innovator and organizer with superior and uncommon leadership qualities. A “pastors’ pastor”, his unique giftings transcends denominational, cultural, ethnical and generational boundaries. He is a nationally sought after preacher, lecturer and advisor.

    In 1978 he 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 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1981. During his matriculation at Eastern, he commenced his pastoral ministry at The Mt. Olive Baptist Church of 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 Chr istian Camping and Confer ence Center. He currently hosts a two hour monthly Citywide Prayer Meeting for ministers. In November 2006, he was elected President of the 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 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 Excuses Ministries. He is also the Chairman of the Diversity Committee of the Board of Trustee, 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 included: The MVM National Men’s Conference, LifeWay Church Resources National Stand Firm Men’s Conference, The North American Mission Board, The 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 & Growing Churches magazines and a columnist in the Penn Jersey Baptist Journal. He was 1992 Clergy of the Year presented by CMS. He is the son of Doris E. Howard of Paoli, Pennsylvania. He is married to the former Constance L. Jones of Riverton, New Jersey. They are the proud parents of three children, Keith Jr., Courtney Lynee’ and Chierra Lindsay. To God Be the Glory!