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Meet Our Pastor
Rev. Joseph D. Williamson III
Rev. Joseph D. Williamson III was born and raised in East St. Louis, IL. It was at his childhood church, St. Paul Baptist Church in East St. Louis, where he accepted the Lord Jesus as his Savior and was baptized. After graduating from college and law school, Rev. Williamson spent several years practicing law as a criminal defense attorney in the Greater St. Louis Area. In 1988, Rev. Williamson accepted God's call to preach the gospel. After attending Eden Theological Seminary, Rev. Williamson was ordained in 1993 at St. Paul Baptist Church,
East St. Louis, IL.
pastoral call:
On August 21, 1993, Rev. Williamson was called to pastor the Second Baptist Church congregation in Rock Island, IL. Pastor Williamson has instituted several ministries at Second Baptist which has caused the congregation to grow physically and spiritually. God gave him a vision to build the SBC Family Life Center and the congregation supported the vision. The center was dedicated in September of 2002. He also has implemented a Board of Christian Education, which, with his guidance sees that the Spiritual education of the congregation is available to all. There are many other ministries now available to enrich the entire congregation. The Church has been made very handicapped accessible, and emphasis has been placed on the nurturing the children of the church, from a nursery being established to the Youth Outreach and SBC Van Ministries. The God given vision for our church body has been the foundation for the growth of our church and the spreading of God's Word throughout our community and beyond.
Education:
Eden Theological Seminary
Jurist Doctor Degree, Thurgood Marshall Law School at Texas Southern University
Bachelor of Science Degree, Illinois State University
Graduate of East St. Louis Lincoln High School
Honors:
Omega Man of The Year 1977, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Thurgood Marshall Law Journal, Associate Editor
Affiliations:
National Baptist Association Convention U.S.A. Inc.
Baptist General State Convention of Illinois - presently serving as Third Vice President of Baptist General of Illinois
Wood River District Association
American Academy of Ministers
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Positions Held:
Moderator, Wood River District Association
Dean, Wood River District Association
Assistant Secretary, Baptist General State Convention of Illinois
Third Vice President, Baptist General State Convention of Illinois
President, Quad City Baptist Conference
Board Memberships:
Rock Island Housing Authority Commission
Skip-A-Long Child Development Services Board of Director
Trinity Medical Center – Ethics Committee
Volunteered, Rock Island High School Home Economics Department
other Accomplishments:
Led Second Baptist Church in building of the SBC Family Life Center
Established SBC Tutorial Ministry
Established SBC Van Ministry to include one bus and a van
Established 8:00 a.m. Worship service
Established SBC Youth Outreach Ministry
Established SBC Music & Arts Academy
Established Holy Week Services
Established Cottage Prayer
Established SBC Audio-Visual Ministry