ELDER THELMA H. WILLIAMS

Elder Thelma Hamilton Williams was a beautiful soul and a blessing to Friendship Apostolic Church of God, Inc.  Since joining the church in 1978, she was a warrior on the front lines, enduring hardness, as a good soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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We fondly remember our former pastor, Bishop H. M. Johnson, Jr., speaking of when Elder Williams first joined the church saying, “I’m already saved.  I can speak in tongues. Do you want to hear me?”  Soon after, she found out that she was a sinner on her way to hell and got in a hurry to receive salvation through the name of Jesus.  Then, her testimony changed to, “I love everything about holiness!  I love the people!  I love the songs!  I love the music! I love the dress!  I love everything about holiness!”

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Elder Williams was a pillar of Friendship and faithfully served on the Board of Ministers for 30+ years.  She preached and taught the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ, flat-footed and unapologetically.   Her messages were simple, down to earth, and easy to understand.  The Lord Jesus Christ used her to show how holiness is lived in your everyday life.  She encouraged the Saints to call Jesus while sitting at your desk at work, while washing dishes or folding clothes at home, and while standing in line at the grocery store.  She would say, “Don’t join in when someone begins complaining about the cashier.  Let your light shine everywhere you go.”  She also encouraged the Saints to respect leadership, endure hardness, and to just, “Take it!”  Elder Williams also made herself available to help anyone in need, at any time.  She would tell weary souls, “Call me anytime you need to talk…even at two o’clock in the morning.”  Many Saints have personal stories of late-night conversations with Elder Williams and receiving a listening ear and sound spiritual advice, in return.

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In addition to serving on the Board of Ministers, Elder Williams served as Missionary Band President, Sunday School Teacher, Evangelical Training Association (ETA) Teaching Staff member, Church Pianist, Vacation Bible School Art Department Lead, Prop Designer for Easter and Christmas productions, and Mothers Board and Senior Choir member.  Elder Williams was a true missionary for the Lord Jesus Christ. At the beginning of every Missionary service, she could be heard singing the Missionary theme song, “Doing All the Good We Can!”  Elder Williams embodied the Missionary theme and had no problem with taking the message of salvation to the street corners, grocery stores, farmers markets, barber shops, neighborhoods, or wherever anyone would listen. When visitors would come to the church, Elder Williams made it her business to greet the visitors and to encourage them to return.  To this day, it is still unknown how she was able to move from her piano seat at the front of the church, to the rear doors to greet quick-moving visitors before they made their exit.  

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Along with preaching and teaching the Word, Elder Williams used her artistic talents to design beautiful visuals to help the Saints remember how to continue to live holy, while inside and outside of the church.  Some of her publications include “Diligence Rewarded,” “Seek Jesus,” “Keep Learning How to Stay Saved,” and many others.  Elder Williams would also design colorful bookmarks and framed artworks with encouraging scriptures or the name of Jesus and distribute them as gifts.  Several of her artworks are still hanging in the church today.

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We truly thank the Lord Jesus Christ for sending Elder Thelma H. Williams our way.  She was truly a blessing to our church and will be greatly missed!