Local Church Welcomes New Pastor

Posted

Matthew Dean

Thor, right, and his wife, Elea will relocate from Iowa so he can become the new pastor at Key Peninsula Baptist Church. Courtesy of the Williams

Key Peninsula Baptist Church (KPBC) will welcome a new senior pastor in August. Thoryold Williams brings with him a wealth of experience in church administration and youth programs, as well as a passion for ministry of all kinds.

Although he is relocating to Washington from Iowa, Williams is no stranger to Puget Sound. He grew up in the Tacoma area and spent time working in the region as a member of Youth Missions International, an organization that equips groups of young adults for short- and long-term foreign missions trips. During this time, Williams also acted as a leader in his church’s Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed youth ministry and served as a counselor at local Christian sports camps. Williams later moved to Ankeny, Iowa, where he currently resides, to attend Faith Baptist Bible College.

After earning his degree in biblical studies and pastoral ministries, Williams spent time in Iowa as an assistant pastor before applying for the job at KPBC. "It feels like it started a very long time ago," he said, describing the application process. After a long period of waiting and praying, however, "I was able to go out for the interview, as well as go out in May and preach at the church and do a Q & A with the congregation there. We prayed as a group, and then they sent my wife and I outside while they discussed. Later, they called us as pastor and we accepted," he said.

Williams is eager not only to begin his tenure as pastor at KPBC, but also to return to the unique environment of the Pacific Northwest. "It's just so beautiful," he said. "God created such a beautiful place, where he's glorified through all creation, all year-round."

When Williams arrives, he will be getting involved immediately with KPBC. Although he will be serving as the new senior pastor of the church, he has a special passion for youth ministry of all kinds. "We're renting out the [KP] Civic Center, and so using that to our advantage to help serve the community with youth-type events is also something I would like to do," Williams said.

He also expressed a desire to continue his involvement with youth-focused summer sports camps as both a ministry opportunity and a community service. "It’s really a good service for the community because people enjoy sports, people like getting better at sports," he said. In addition to any youth ministry projects he takes on, Williams will also be performing the standard duties of a senior pastor, including congregational interaction and weekly sermons.

Williams will be moving to Washington with his wife, Elea, and taking his position Aug. 1. While there are many potential difficulties associated with a new job and a cross-country move, Williams remains enthusiastic and looks forward to meeting new people and sharing his faith with a new community. Although he admitted some nervousness, Williams said he felt nothing but gratitude and anticipation for what he called "a great opportunity and responsibility that I’m excited about as well."


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