Wrangell Sentinel -

One of the practical commitments of pastors and members of the Church of God (Anderson) is that of spiritual example – the demonstration of commitment to Jesus Christ through the practice of the disciplines like praise, prayer and worship.

It is these principles, among others, that newly arrived Pastor Steven Williams hopes will imbue upon the members of his flock at his Bennett Street church in months and years to come.

Williams, along with his wife Melissa, a Wrangell native, took over the reins of the Hope Community Church of God two weeks ago. Melissa, who was raised in the Borough, is the daughter of Paul and Becky McIntyre.

Although new to being a full-time pastor, Williams said he knew from a young age that he wanted to preach the word of God.

“I was a senior in high school, I was seventeen when I felt the Lord leading me to become a pastor,” Williams said. “I became a Christian at sixteen, though.”

Williams also touched on what he feels would be his reaction to anyone seeking Christianity through his church.

“I would ask them first what they are looking for and what is bringing these questions on and just go from there,” he said. “I would really try to steer them to what I believe is the truth of Jesus. If they are asking spiritual questions that is my frame of mind and where I can come from. I would encourage them to keep asking a lot of questions.”

Melissa said moving her family back to Wrangell was good not only for her husband’s ministry, but for her children as well.

“I thought it would be great for the kids to be close to grandma and grandpa,” she said. “It’s not something that we really thought would happen because there are not that many positions that open up in Wrangell churches. So when we saw this job come open we saw it as an opportunity and a blessing.”

The couple has been married for five years and has three children – 4-year-old Anna, 3-year-old Adalyn, and 8-month-old Gideon.

During the past seven years Williams held internships and was an assistant pastor in Whitehall, Mont., and also a student ministries pastor in Camas, Wash. He earned his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in Kirkland, Wash., and attained his Master of Divinity degree from George Fox University in Newberg, Ore.

Williams is credentialed as a non-denominational pastor, though he is currently seeking credentialing through the Church of God’s national headquarters.