Pastor (Emeritus) Alvin E. Williams

Alvin E. Williams’ life covers a span of 64 years of service in this grand old Church of God in Christ (COGIC). Pastor Emeritus Williams became a member of the Temple COGIC on July 4, 1956, when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. During his tenure at the Temple COGIC, he served under the pastoral leadership of Elder C. H. (Bob) Mason Jr., Presiding Bishop J. O. Patterson Sr., and Elder J. E. Booker. Pastor Emeritus Williams’ unrelenting devotion to serve in God’s house and to honing his biblical studies and training under Dr. John Ware afforded him opportunities to work in every facet of the church. His path led him to preaching and teaching to God’s people throughout the Tennessee area, including those at Pentecostal Temple COGIC−where he was highly-respected by Presiding Bishop J. O. Patterson Sr. and Mother Deborah Patterson. 

While at the Temple COGIC, he witnessed miracles and heard Saints’ testimonies of miraculous healing and deliverance from the prayers and laying on of hands by Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, the Founding Father of the Church of God in Christ. One of his most memorable testimonies is when he and his wife and baby daughter (Pat) were touched by the hands of Bishop Mason in a prayer line at the Temple COGIC, and Bishop Mason said God was going to bless their daughter with wisdom. And God did just that! Their daughter was blessed throughout her education as an honor roll student. She also received a full scholarship to Stanford University. Pastor Emeritus Williams said, “Bishop Mason was a true prophetic leader led by God. He was a prophet who believed in the power of prayer and signs and wonders followed his life. And, at one time, testimonials of crutches, canes, and wheelchairs from miracles of healing wrought by Bishop Mason were displayed on walls at Mason Temple and the original (Mother Church) Temple COGIC.”  Pastor Emeritus Williams believes that if we, the saints of God or the Church of God in Christ organization, want to see signs and wonders and experience the power of God, we must go back to the teachings of our Founding Father, which is based on the Word of God.

Another significant event that Pastor Emeritus Williams often speaks about is the time he, his sister-in-law, and brother-in-law were given the task of cleaning Mason Temple in preparation for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., where Dr. King delivered his last monumental speech one day before his assassination in 1968. To Pastor Emeritus Williams, this was a great honor to cherish forever.  

In 1978, Pastor Emeritus Williams and his wife and family joined the Homeland COGIC under the leadership of Bishop F. D. Macklin, where Pastor Emeritus Williams served as an assistant to Bishop Macklin.  

In 1979, Presiding Bishop J. O. Patterson Sr. and Bishop F. D. Macklin appointed Pastor Emeritus Alvin E. Williams as the Acting Pastor for the St. James COGIC in Brownsville, TN.  He was later installed as the Pastor in 1980 by Bishop F. D. Macklin.  Pastor Emeritus Williams inherited a litany of issues, including a declining church with financial instability. However, by the grace of God, he endured the opposition, and, with the help of faithful members, he was able to restore financial stability, renovate the church’s ground, and improve the ministries in the church. As Pastor for 40 years, he has led his parishioners with unparalleled devotion and with sound leadership that is sealed with integrity, love, humility, and generosity.  He served on the Executive Board of the Tennessee Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction as Chairman of Finance under the leadership of Bishop W. L. Porter and Bishop Brandon B. Porter.  Lastly, he was the Superintendent for 32 years for one of the finest districts in the Jurisdiction−the Brownsville District. Because of his outstanding leadership, Pastor Emeritus Williams and the St. James COGIC have been recognized by Bishop W. L. Porter as “Superintendent of the Year,” “Pastor of the Year,” “Choir of the Year,” and “Church of the Year.”

Through his ministry, he has imparted the Word of God to many people. God has used him in prophecy, revelations, and deliverance. He is noted throughout Tennessee, particularly in the Brownsville community, for his erudition of God’s Word as his biblical teachings are the uncompromising truth.  

A scripture that describes Pastor Emeritus Alvin E. Williams is from Paul the Apostle to Titus: “In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned” (Titus 2:7-8 KJV).

Mother Juanita Williams

Working alongside Pastor Emeritus Williams is First Lady Mother Juanita “Sweet Thing” Williams.  Pastor Emeritus Williams and Mother Williams have been married for 65 years.  Mother Williams often makes it known that it was because of the change in her husband’s life that she gave her life to Christ on July 8, 1956. And, for 64 years, Mother Williams has been a faithful servant in the church community−from singing in the choir to cooking and serving in the dining hall to sewing draperies, window treatments, choir robes, and clothing for many church members. In 1972, she was spotlighted in The Whole Truth Magazine and The Memphis Press-Scimitar for her remarkable work as the General Chairwoman for the Women’s Day service at the Temple COGIC.  She and the committee were commended by Pastor J. E. Booker for their labor of love and for planning the successful day.  Mother Williams always says that she loves the church and the churchgoers, and anything her hands can find to do, she will do it with all of her might. 

God touched Mother Williams’ hands to be a tremendous blessing to the saints at the Temple COGIC and other saints throughout the COGIC organization. Mother Williams realized early in her life that her gift from God and her passion was sewing.  Her gift made room for her and brought her before great people. She loves to tell the story of when she was asked to make draperies for the COGIC Publishing House and to sew for Mother Elsie Mason and Mother Deborah Patterson. Mother Williams considered it to have been a great honor to decorate the Publishing House and to sew for the Founder’s wife and the Presiding Bishop’s wife. Mother Williams said, “I will never forget the day when Mother Mason came to my house for a dress fitting, and Mother Mason told me that the Lord said the house that my husband and I were living in and renting on Parkway will one day belong to us.”  Mother Williams marveled at the words Mother Mason said to her and says her heart was filled with great joy. Those words were told to Mother Williams more than 50 years ago. To this day, Pastor Emeritus Williams and Mother Williams own and live in their lovely home on Parkway. Whenever Mother Williams tells that story, she testifies that whatever God says will come to pass and if you bless others, God will bless you.

Throughout her life, Mother Williams has seen and has experienced God’s miraculous healing and blessings working in the church and in her home. She is a living testimony of what God can do.  Near the point of death in her home, from an asthmatic attack, Mother Williams once passed out and was unable to breathe. A saint of God, Missionary Ratliff from Holy Temple COGIC, called their house and began to pray and speak life over her body. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16 KJV). God heard Pastor Emeritus Williams and Mother Williams’ cry for healing and healed her of asthma.

Mother Williams has many wonderful stories she can share regarding the church, the saints of God, and her life as a wife, mother, and First Lady. 

Pastor Emeritus Williams and Mother Williams have seen four generations in the Church grow in the Lord and blessed of the Lord.  They truly love the St. James Family, “Sweet Things” and appreciate the love and support of every member.  Pray God’s blessings upon every member.  “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews12:14).