BY KAREN E. BOWES
Staff Writer
KAREN BOWES KEYPORT — After nearly three years without a pastor, Second Baptist Church welcomed the Rev. Robert K. Williams in a Sunday morning installation service.
Williams, a Neptune resident who calls his parishioners “saints,” said he looks forward to “building up the congregation and witnessing to other lost souls.”
“I want the church to be a beacon of light in this community, a voice in the community,” said Williams. “I want the voice to speak of God’s goodness.”
Williams, a technician at Jersey Central Power & Light Co. for 19 years, has preached intermittently at the Atlantic Street house of worship since 2002.
“Basically, after I initially came here to preach, I was invited back the next month,” said Williams.
Eventually, he was asked to preach every month, then twice a month. After several more months, he was asked to submit a résumé and was unanimously voted in by the congregation.
“It’s been great. They’re showing so much support for me,” said Williams. “This is truly a wonderful place to be. God couldn’t have placed me in a better place for my first pastorate.”
As part of his new role, Williams will soon be teaching a Bible study class to adults, visiting the sick in their homes, and meeting with other area pastors for their annual fall revivals.
“It’s a time when the church is revived spiritually,” explained Williams. “A preacher comes in from the outside for an uplifting. We’ll be having ours next week.”
Williams hopes his congregation will flourish under his watch.
“I’m just a humble person. I’m just trying to do what the Lord is calling me to do. I love the Lord. I’m looking forward to the church growing. I’m excited about what God has in store for us at Second Baptist Church in Keyport. It’s a great place to be,” Williams said.
Of his new flock, he adds, “They are just the most wonderful bunch of people I’ve ever met.”
Williams served as associate pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Red Bank for seven years before coming to Keyport. He was voted in by the congregation in August.
The Rev. Robert K. Williams is the new pastor at Keyport’s Second Baptist Church. He was installed on Sunday at the Atlantic Street house of worship.