Author

Mel Williams

Activist & Baptist pastor emeritus

The Rev. Mel Williams is the coordinator of End Poverty Durham. Before his retirement, he served as pastor of Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham, N.C., for 24 years. While in that role, he served as president of Durham Congregations in Action in 1991-1992; was the co-founder of Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham in 1992; led the creation of the Walltown “Neighbor to Neighbor” mission in 1995; and in 2004 co-founded End Poverty Durham. For five years, Williams chaired the Committee on Baptist Studies at Duke University, which later became the Baptist House of Studies.

FOCL alum portrait

Foundations of Christian Leadership

“I’m grateful for programs like Foundations of Christian Leadership where I had the privilege of meeting courageous souls who love Jesus deeply and are devoted to following him by loving their neighbors in practical, tangible ways.” 

— Gabrielle Leonard (Founder, Returning to Joy)

Do you care about the church in the world and want to build skills to lead Christian-inspired projects with joy and creativity?

Foundations of Christian Leadership brings together emerging leaders from a variety of faith-based organizations as colleagues in an encouraging and collaborative learning environment.

Applications for our Chicago sessions are due February 14, 2025.

Learn more