Dr. Autry L. Williams is a native of Montalba, Texas and is the youngest son of the late Majestic Williams, in a family of five boys. He accepted Christ at the age of 13 and was an active member of Providence Missionary Baptist Church up until 1975 when he moved to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

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As a young adult, Dr. Williams briefly united with Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Ft. Worth and then Shiloh Baptist Church in Garland.

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In 1982, Dr. Williams moved his membership to First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park, which later relocated to Richardson, Texas.  He was a faithful member at First Baptist for over 26 years, serving in a leadership capacity as a Deacon, Trustee, Servant Leader of the First Friends Ministry, Assistant Director of the BTU and Assistant Director for the Bus Ministry. 

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On the 1st Sunday in May of 2008, Dr. Williams acknowledged his call by God into the ministry to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Shortly after accepting his calling, in August of 2008, Dr. Williams united with Friendship Baptist Church of The Colony, Texas, under the pastorate of the late Dr. C. Paul McBride. 

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On February 8, 2009, Dr. Williams was licensed as a Minister of the Gospel by Dr. C. Paul McBride and he continued to further the advancement of the Kingdom of God at Friendship as an Associate Minister by implementing and organizing the Mid-Week Services, the “Ole Time Gospel Hour” and the “Sweet Hour of Prayer” service.

 

On August 25, 2013, Dr. Williams was ordained as a Minister under the pastorship of the current Senior Pastor of Friendship, the Reverend Gregory C. Trotter.  It was during this timeframe that Dr. Williams’ work in the ministry expanded to include serving as the Director of Christian Education in which he initiated and coordinated the partnership with Southern Bible Institute (SBI) to provide an onsite Evangelical Training Association program and SBI Continuing Education Unit courses in the Fall of 2014.  As the Director of Christian Education, Dr. Williams conducted quarterly Evangelism and Teachers-in-Training workshops and he also served as the Men’s Ministry Advisor.

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In June of 2014, Dr. Williams received the Macedonian Call to come and serve in his first pastoral assignment as the Interim Pastor at his home church, Providence Missionary Baptist Church, which he prayerfully accepted. 

 

On September 20, 2015, Dr. Williams was installed as the 23rd Pastor of Providence.  His vision was that Providence would become a strong gospel-centered church with a community-centered focus.  With spiritual guidance from the Lord, prayer, financial support, church and community involvement, Dr. Williams’ vision is being realized.

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From 2014 to the present, Bible studies at Providence have been rejuvenated with a strong emphasis being placed on Christian education.  New methods of church administration and financial accounting were implemented.  New ministries were initiated such as the Sons and Daughters of Praise, the Royal Ambassadors and the GA Girls.   A new church logo was designed and an affirmation of faith, church slogan and motto was established.  Providence also underwent and completed major interior and exterior church renovations, including the construction of a new playground recreational area, including a basketball court for Providence youth and those in the community.  A new church website was also designed and launched.

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Dr. Williams holds a Master’s of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies from Louisiana Baptist University.  His favorite scripture is Proverbs 23:12, “Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.”

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Professionally, Dr. Williams is a retired Alcatel-Lucent Network Engineer and is currently the Owner and President of Powerhouse Insurance Agency, Inc.  Powerhouse is contracted with major insurance companies such as United Healthcare, Oxford Life, North American, Guarantee Trust Life, Medico, Americo and others.

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Dr. Williams has been married to Cindy Williams since 1976 and together they are the parents of two daughters, Jennifer Settles (Chase) and Morgan Williams and the grandparents of Triniti Williams.