Pastor Pierce A. Williams

In Richmond, Virginia, only a few minutes from the neighborhood where he grew up, Pastor Pierce A. Williams serves with a heart deeply attuned to God’s call. Today, as Senior Pastor of First Union Baptist Church, he stands as a living witness to what it means to be anointed for the assignment. His story is not about titles or accolades, but about faith, resilience, and vision, shaping a life fully surrendered to God.
From childhood, Williams was surrounded by a legacy of faith. His grandparents embodied two different traditions, one Baptist and one Holiness, yet their example of love and unity taught him that God’s Kingdom is larger than any denomination. That early lesson would become a cornerstone of his ministry. “I believe I am the perfect merger of both,” he reflects, describing his calling as one that bridges spirit and strategy. This ability to stand at the crossroads of tradition and vision has given him a unique voice in the body of Christ.

Though music first carried him into leadership as the director of the Virginia Union University Gospel Choir, it was there that God’s hand revealed a greater purpose. Williams remembers the moment when faith became personal, when God’s presence was no longer only the God of his grandparents, but his own sustainer and guide. “That’s when I understood the assignment,” he says with conviction. From that moment forward, he pursued his call with both passion and discipline, completing degrees in communication, theology, and now advancing toward his doctorate, each step preparing him for greater service.

Pastor Williams carries a leadership style he describes as visionary, strategic, and transformational. Since taking the pulpit in 2020, he has led First Union into new seasons of worship, growth, and impact. Even in uncertain times, he believed the church could rise stronger, and his congregation has responded with renewed commitment. His ministry reaches beyond Sunday mornings, touching schools, families, and the wider community, fueled by the conviction that the church must be both spirit-filled and strategically equipped.

His guiding scripture, Philippians 4:13, is a declaration he has rephrased to fit the rhythm of his own walk: “I can, because He strengthens me.” These words define his journey. Degrees, experience, and talent have their place, but Williams knows his true strength comes only from God. This perspective has shaped not only his ministry but also his consulting work with other churches, where he offers practical wisdom about financial stewardship, youth engagement, and building for long-term health.
When asked about his desired legacy, Pastor Williams does not speak of buildings or programs. Instead, he speaks of people. He hopes to be remembered as a man of faith, a devoted husband, a loving son, and a pastor who cared deeply for those he served. “He left us well,” he says simply, and in those words lies his vision for life and ministry.

To readers who feel weary or unqualified, his encouragement is clear: “You are enough.” With God’s strength, each person can rise to fulfill their purpose, starting exactly where they are. Pastor Pierce A. Williams embodies that truth. His life is a testimony that when God anoints you for the assignment, He also gives the wisdom, vision, and power to see it through.

August 2025: Pastor Pierce A. Williams