Called by vote
of the ABC/CR Board of Directors on December 8, 2007, John
began his role as ABC/CR Executive Minister on January 1,
2008. With a desire to be engaged in an ongoing partnership
with Central Region clergy and churches to strengthen the
healthy witness and ministry for Christ in Arkansas, Kansas
and Oklahoma, John is working to reinforce relationships and
engender new excitement for our ABC mission and ministry together.
He has served as pastor of three American Baptist churches
in Kansas from 1974 to 1999 in Leavenworth, Wichita and Garden
City and as Western Area Minister for the ABC/CR from 1999
through 2007. John also works with the Region Council on the
Ministry, serves as a regional liaison to the ABC/USA, and
serves on the Boards of Directors of Bethel Neighborhood Center,
Central Baptist Seminary, Ottawa University, Central Region
Camp & Conference Corporation, Camp Christy Corporation
and Victory Village Christian Academy.
John earned his B.A. from Fresno Pacific College in Fresno, Calif.
He received his M.Div. from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas
City, Kan., in 1978. He is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Drew University.
John and Connie Williams are members of First Baptist Church,
Lawrence.
Connie is a graduate of Wichita State University and Central
Baptist Theological Seminary. She works as the Educational
Coordinator at the Shawnee County Juvenile Detention Center
in Topeka.
They have four married children and five grandchildren: Joel
& Lynette Williams and Meredith and Judah; Bethany &
Chris Vance and Eleanor; Joanna &
Brandon Gillette; and Sarah & Josh Nell and Moses
and Lydia.
Though John has many interests and ways he enjoys life, perhaps the thing
that gives the greatest enjoyment is the opportunity to trade jokes and
share a good laugh with those around him.
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