Dr. Edward O. Williamson currently serves as the pastor-teacher of the Bethel Baptist Church of White Plains, New York. He is a native of East St. Louis, Illinois. He is the son of Mrs. Ruby Ivory Williamson and the late Joseph D. Williamson, Jr. Rev. Williamson is married to Deborah A. Williamson. They have been married for 22 years. They have two daughters, Stefanie (19) and Jennifer (15). Dr. Williamson was educated in the public school system of East St. Louis. He is a 1979 graduate of East St. Louis Lincoln Senior High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983 from Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois and his Master of Arts degree in General Theological Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri in 1999. He also completed one year of post-graduate theological studies at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He received the Doctor of Ministry Degree with an emphasis in Christian Education and Urban Ministry from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio in May of 2006.
Dr. Williamson answered the call to the gospel ministry in 1985 and was licensed to preach the gospel at the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church located in East St. Louis, Illinois, Rev. John H. Rouse, pastor. He was ordained in 1988 at Mt. Zion. Dr. Williamson served as an assistant to the pastor of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in East St. Louis, Illinois for two years. Dr. Williamson served as pastor of the Southern Missionary Baptist Church located in Madison, Illinois for 9 years. He relocated to Binghamton, New York to serve as the pastor of Beautiful Plain Baptist Church in 1999 and left in May of 2004.
Dr. Williamson's greatest love is preaching and teaching in the church and community. He is a certified instructor and a certified dean of Christian education by the Sunday School Publishing Board of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., Dr. Williamson is also active and supportive of the American Baptist Churches USA. He is active in denominational and Christian work on the local, state and national levels. He currently serves as the Dean of Christian Education for the Central Hudson Baptist District Association and an assistant state dean for the Empire Missionary Baptist Convention of New York.
Dr. Williamson has held several occupations including serving as a district executive and senior district executive for the Boy Scouts of America, an intensive drug abuse probation officer in St. Clair County Illinois, and as clinical interventionist and aide in a mental health and chemical dependency treatment center.
Dr. Williamson currently is a member of the Ministers Fellowship Council of White Plains, Vice-Chairman of the board for the Thomas H. Slater Community Center, Chaplain for the White Plains Public Safety Department, a member of Rotary International White Plains Chapter, board member United Way of Westchester County, and actively involved in many community development and social service activities. Dr. Williamson has received numerous awards and recognition for his service to the church and community. Dr. Williamson's personal motto is "making a difference with one life." His motto for the church and ministry is, "We're all in this together, being the church God has called us to be."
1 Fisher Court - White Plains NY 10601
