Pastor honored for 50 years of ministry
ATLANTA, Texas — With 50 years of preaching experience — 43 at the same church — Dr. A.C. Williams Sr. is not ready to throw in the towel.
He means this literally — because the pastor of Enon Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta does, indeed, bring a white towel with him to the pulpit. He throws it over his shoulder not to end, but to smoothly extend the sermon.
The congregation knows this and gave him, among other commemoratives, an engraved white towel at Sunday afternoon’s celebration to congratulate their pastor’s half-century stay.
Younger pastors and church friends came one after the other to the speakers’ table to tell how much they appreciated the minister.
Williams was called a “spark plug” for his consistent enthusiasm and persistence. Some told how the pastor helped them outside of his church talents with construction projects and money matters.
The congregation unfailingly mentioned Williams’ smiling personality. They had, they said, never seen him withholding friendship or positive regard. He was, and is, they said, the “community’s pastor.”
Atlanta Mayor Travis Ransom created a proclamation to be read by City Council Member Chris Collins. It designated Sunday, Nov. 24, as “Pastor Alford C. Williams Sr. Day in Atlanta, Texas.”
Williams became the shepherd of this church nearly 43 years ago in January 1977, the proclamation said. In his remarks, Williams talked about his acceptance of the call to preach in 1969.
In one touching moment, church member Rod Birmingham sang the pastor’s favorite song, “I Won’t Complain,” accompanied by his mother, Ida Birmingham, at the piano while the audience of about 60 people joined in the refrain.
During his remarks, Williams, with emotion evident, sang that song again as a solo.
Among those who spoke were James Phillips Sr., deacon at Enon; W. R. Collins, associate minister at Enon; the Rev. J. N. Rochelle, Whitaker Street Temple of Truth in Texarkana, Texas; the Rev. Jonathan Stanmore of First Baptist in Atlanta; the Rev. Roy Bailey of Salem Baptist in Linden; the Rev. Arlester Maxie of Shiloh Baptist in Atlanta; the Rev. Henry Martin of Bethlehem Baptist in Marietta; Dr. R. E. Ruffin 0f Greater St. John Baptist in Hooks; the Rev. Eddie Hill; Cynthia Moore and Mary Dorsey.
Patricia Collins was master of ceremonies. Members of the event’s planning committee not already mentioned are Kleesta Hunter, Louis Blaylock, Shirley Washington, Gloria Phillips, Rose Props, Ida Birmingham and Odell Martin.