A pastoral search has ended after more than a year, with Dr. Carlos D. Williams named as the fourth senior pastor to lead the historic Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church (Pilgrim Rest), 1819 N. Washington Ave., in Dallas.
Dr. Williams will preach his first sermon at the church, Sunday, August 1, at 10 a.m.
A native of Shelby County, AL, Dr. Williams comes to the 86-year-old church from The Historic Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN, where he served as senior pastor for eight years.
Pilgrim Rest has been a mainstay in the community, once known as “Short North Dallas.” The surrounding neighborhood has seen a tremendous amount of change over the last eight decades and is emerging from the COVID pandemic.
“I am honored to have been called to pastor Pilgrim Rest,” said Dr. Williams. “Our world is changing, and people are looking for hope in a world filled with uncertainty. My prayer is to ensure Pilgrim Rest remains one of the beacons of light that our community can look to for spiritual nourishment.”
Dr. Williams attended More- house College in Atlanta, GA and completed his Bachelor’s degree in Theology and Pastoral Ministry from the Birmingham-Easonian Baptist Bible College in Birmingham, AL.
He also obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Faith International University and Seminary in Tacoma, WA.
The Pastor enrolled as a Doctoral Student at Virginia University of Lynchburg, Virginia (HBCU) in 2018 and completed his Doctor of Ministry degree in 2021. His dissertation was “Equipping Informally Trained Christian Educators with the Principles of Biblical Exposition.”
Dr. Williams is married to the former Joannie Dionne Holiday and they have two sons.
Pilgrim Rest is holding virtual and in-person services. Those attending in person are asked to wear a mask and to follow social distancing guidelines. Temperatures will be taken at the door.
