PASTOR JAMES WILLIAMS
James answered the call to preach the Gospel in 2007 and immediately began to attend to his first ministry; his family. Beyond the home, James is one of the lead pastors (Strategy and Leadership) for Abundant Life Worship Center (new church plant, preparing for launch) James has served as a Worship Leader, an Adult Sunday School teacher and supported the Youth Ministry by delivering a portion of “The Blueprint”, a year-long curriculum developed by Apostle Dr. Jewel D. Williams. In the broader movement, James served as the Treasurer for the Chicagoland Area Ministers Fellowship.
Prior to Abundant LIfe, James was an associate Minister at South Suburban Church of God under Pastor Bobby Jackson where he served as worship leader and a Sunday school teacher. James also served at Langley Avenue Church of God on the Board of Trustees, as assistant superintendent of the Sunday School and co-chair of the Leadership Consulting Team for several years before attending South Suburban Church of God.
Professionally, James is a long-time employee of the University of Chicago Medical Center. Since 1988, James has held numerous positions in finance, transplant, admission services and supply chain. He currently is the Vice President for equity and inclusion. James additionally leads the Business Diversity initiative where he builds business relationships between the Medical Center and certified minority- & women-owned firms.
James received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award from the Medical Center for his work with his church and in the community. James also received the Anders C. Rasmussen Award from the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council for a body of work dedicated to the growth and development of minority-owned businesses.
January 2013, James was honored to be one of the honorees for "Men of Excellence" award given by Chicago Defender. James serves as Chairman of the Board of the Maroon Financial Credit Union serving the University of Chicago staff, faculty, family and associated entities. With assets over $20M and a lending portfolio of over $7M, Maroon Financial Credit Union aims to improve the financial lives and literacy of our members. James attended college-preparatory at The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey and completed his undergraduate studies in Leadership and Strategic Change Management at DePaul University. James is currently a Masters Degree candidate at DePaul University – Designing and Implementing Leadership Strategies that Leverage Diversity in Organizations.
James answered the call to preach the Gospel in 2007 and immediately began to attend to his first ministry; his family. Beyond the home, James is one of the lead pastors (Strategy and Leadership) for Abundant Life Worship Center (new church plant, preparing for launch) James has served as a Worship Leader, an Adult Sunday School teacher and supported the Youth Ministry by delivering a portion of “The Blueprint”, a year-long curriculum developed by Apostle Dr. Jewel D. Williams. In the broader movement, James served as the Treasurer for the Chicagoland Area Ministers Fellowship.
Prior to Abundant LIfe, James was an associate Minister at South Suburban Church of God under Pastor Bobby Jackson where he served as worship leader and a Sunday school teacher. James also served at Langley Avenue Church of God on the Board of Trustees, as assistant superintendent of the Sunday School and co-chair of the Leadership Consulting Team for several years before attending South Suburban Church of God.
Professionally, James is a long-time employee of the University of Chicago Medical Center. Since 1988, James has held numerous positions in finance, transplant, admission services and supply chain. He currently is the Vice President for equity and inclusion. James additionally leads the Business Diversity initiative where he builds business relationships between the Medical Center and certified minority- & women-owned firms.
James received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award from the Medical Center for his work with his church and in the community. James also received the Anders C. Rasmussen Award from the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council for a body of work dedicated to the growth and development of minority-owned businesses.
January 2013, James was honored to be one of the honorees for "Men of Excellence" award given by Chicago Defender. James serves as Chairman of the Board of the Maroon Financial Credit Union serving the University of Chicago staff, faculty, family and associated entities. With assets over $20M and a lending portfolio of over $7M, Maroon Financial Credit Union aims to improve the financial lives and literacy of our members. James attended college-preparatory at The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey and completed his undergraduate studies in Leadership and Strategic Change Management at DePaul University. James is currently a Masters Degree candidate at DePaul University – Designing and Implementing Leadership Strategies that Leverage Diversity in Organizations.
Apostle Dr. Jewel D. Willams
Lead pastor of Abundant Life Worship Center (Teaching and Vision)
BS in Christian Ministry - Mid America
Christian University, 2008. "Outstanding Student of the Year" 2008 with
a 4.0 GPA; Masters Degree in Religious Education 2010, with a 3.9 GPA; Magna Cum Laude
Doctor of Ministry in Servant Leadership, 2017, Dissertation work, "The Whole Servant Leader: Leading from the Inside Out." A model for training servant leaders in the development of godly attributes to live as a servant leader as defined by Dr. Patterson was created in this work.
Author, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (2008), and Living our Theology (2011), first in the TWG Collection (Time with God Collection), The Path of the Preacher(2012), and I Soar: The Chicken is out of the Coop! (2012), and more!
Jewel has written several plays and "made for Church" movies, which she wishes to produce under her company name Tri-Productions, Inc. Jewel maintains several websites and blogs, such as C.O.M.E. (College Online Ministry and Encouragement). Jewel has created a board game, entitled The Truth Game based on the Bible.
Previously an Adjunct instructor for Mid-America Christian University, teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses.
Mentor of young women for over 25 years.
Like many others, I too understood the healing power of Christ. He saved me and then set me free from the scars of abuse, abandonment and low self value. I find it a joy to help others WIN with Christ because I too was lost and losing on this journey until Christ came along and saved me. I love teaching God's Word because I know it is the greatest tool we have to set us free.
