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The Williams family stands around the sign that welcomes them. They are now in ministry at Falmouth Baptist Church.
By Nila Harris
When Falmouth Baptist Church pastor Cohen Copley announced to the church that he was resigning to accept a position as an associational mission strategist, FBC members were happy for the Copleys, but saddened to see them go.
Last April, a pulpit committee was formed, and the search began for a new pastor. The committee accepted 32 resumes and after many prayers, they had narrowed the search to six potential candidates. In mid-June, the group traveled to Benton, KY to hear one of the six prospects preach. Even though Evan Williams was the first of the six they had listened to, “We agreed that he was probably the one,” remembered Shane Hammonds, one of the committee members. Williams was invited to visit Falmouth, and he was shown around our special town. The next day, he called and stated that his family loved the town.
On August 20th, Williams gave his trial sermon. Following the message, the congregation voted him in with 96 percent of the vote. Hammonds, who serves as a deacon and Sunday School director, feels confident that “he was sent to us” and is excited about the future. He expressed that there have been people attending who had not been to FBC before, higher attendance on Sunday nights, and there’s “a renewed spirit and excitement in the air.”
Williams, who is originally from Missouri, and he attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. While in the seminary, he went on a mission trip to India and met a pastor from Calvert City, KY. Williams ended up doing an internship in Calvert City and was asked to be an associate pastor. After only six months, Williams became the lead pastor. At this point, according to Williams, “The Lord made me realize that I was ready (to lead his own church).”
Williams is excited to serve the people in this community. His goal is “to serve the Lord, to preach faithfully, to meet, visit, and get to know people. But my main goal is to be a lighthouse in the community that draws other people to Jesus.”
During the interim, retired pastor and member of FBC Curt Combs stepped up to fill the pulpit as an interim pastor, and the church members are thankful for his service and dedication to the Lord.
Williams brings along his wife Nikki, 14-year-old daughter Addie, and 10-month-old daughter Annie. Come welcome this family to our community.
You may worship with Bro. Williams and FBC for Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and worship service at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Sunday night service is at 7 p.m. and Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m.