Extraordinary Church Doing Extraordinary Ministry
ABOUT US
THE
Pastor
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Reverend
Eric D. Williams
"Education should not give the learner the answer but should provide the learner with the necessary tools and raise the necessary questions to help the learner discover the answer."
—Eric D. Williams, 2002
Born in Silver Creek, Mississippi, Reverend Eric D. Williams has dedicated his life to ministry and education. He is a graduate of Jackson State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, and he furthered his theological education at Morehouse School of Religion—Interdenominational Theological Center, where he received his Master of Divinity.
During his time at Jackson State University, Reverend Williams was actively involved in student organizations, including the Baptist Student Union (BSU), the Jackson State University Student National Education Association (JSUMAE/SP), and the Mississippi Association of Educators Student Program (MAE/SP). His leadership skills were evident as he served as vice-president and president of both the JSU/SP and MAE/SP chapters. Additionally, from 1991 to 1993, he was a member of the National Education Association's Student Advisory Committee.
Responding to his call to ministry in December 1996, Reverend Williams preached his initial sermon on March 9, 1997, and was licensed by the College Hill Baptist Church. He was ordained to the gospel ministry on January 14, 2001, also at College Hill Baptist Church. While pursuing his seminary education, he gained valuable experience as a youth minister at both the Greater New Light Baptist Church and New Calvary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
In June 2001, he became the Academic Dean of the Mississippi Baptist Seminary, making history as the youngest individual to hold that position. He served in this role until 2007 and took on the role of Pastor's Assistant at Farish Street Baptist Church in January 2002, where he contributed to the church's preaching and teaching ministries.
Reverend Williams further expanded his impact from August 2003 to December 2007 at Tougaloo College, where he served in various capacities, including Interim Chaplain, Coordinator for Service-Learning and Community Service, and Learning Specialist for the Center for Student Advising and Retention. He also taught in the Comprehensive Academic Resource Program and the Humanities Division.
From October 2007 to July 2021, he pastored Greater Pleasant View Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tennessee, before serving as pastor of Spruce Street Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, from July 2021 to March 2024. Throughout his ministry, he has remained active in local, state, and national initiatives within the National Baptist Convention. His leadership roles include serving as President of the Stones River District Association Congress of Christian Education, First Vice Moderator of the Stones River District Association, and State Director of the Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Education Convention Congress of Christian Education. He also worked as the Senior Director of Christian Education Accreditation and Credentials at the Sunday School Publishing Board.
In April 2024, Reverend Williams returned to Mississippi as the Executive Pastor and then to become the seventh pastor of Farish Street Baptist Church in Jackson, MS in August of 2024. He also serves as the president of the Jackson District Missionary Baptist Association Congress of Christian Education. His journey reflects a profound commitment to faith, education, and community service, inspiring many in his path.
THE
Pastor Emeritus
DR.
Hickman M. Johnson
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Johnson is a graduate of Tennessee State University (B.S.);
Morehouse School of Religion-- Interdenominational Theological Center (M.Div.); Mississippi College (M.A.) and Emory University (D.Min.). From 1967-68, Dr. Johnson served as Chaplain, Tougaloo College and in August 1968, accepted the pastorate of the historic Farish Street Baptist Church, Jackson, Mississippi.
From 1970-75, while still serving the pastorate of Farish Street Baptist Church, Dr. Johnson directed the Jackson Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC), a non-profit community-based jobs training program. In October 1976, he was appointed Regional Director of the Atlanta region of OICs of America with responsibility for twenty-eight local affiliates in an eight-state region. In June 1977, Dr. Johnson resigned as Regional Director of OIC to give more time to a demanding pastorate.
From November 1981-January 1989, Dr. Johnson served as Dean of Academic Affairs, Mississippi Baptist Seminary. On January 1, 1989, he was elected President of Mississippi Baptist Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi, serving in that capacity until November 2004. From February 1991 to May 1991, Dr. Johnson served as Interim Executive Director, Jackson Housing Authority. In January 1994, he was re-appointed Interim Executive Director and in June 1994, was appointed Executive Director, Jackson Housing Authority and served until October 2000.
Under his leadership the Jackson Housing Authority received several awards and recognitions, including the Secretary’s Citation and Best Practice Award for its affordable homeownership program. In May 2001, Dr. Johnson was appointed Interim Executive Director, Tupelo Housing
Authority and in December 2001, accepted the appointment as Executive Director, serving until August 2004. In June 2004, he accepted the position of Executive Director, Mississippi Regional Housing Authority No. VI.
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He is extremely active in the Church and community, having served as Chairman, Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference (MRLC); Chairman, MRLC Disaster Task Force; Co- Chairman, Change in the Form of Government Committee, a blue ribbon citizens' committee appointed by the Mayor to recommend changes in Jackson's commission form of government; Chairman, Seminole District Committee, Boy Scouts of America; Member, Executive Board, Andrew Jackson Council, Boy Scouts of America; Member, Southern Ecumenical Council on Maternal and Infant Health of the Southern Governors' Association; Member, Seminole District Committee, Boy Scouts of America; Moderator, Jackson District Missionary Baptist Association, Inc. (1988-1994); Corresponding Secretary, General Baptist State Convention of Mississippi (1988-1994); Member, Theological Commission, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. (1971- 1990); Commissioner, City of Jackson Housing Authority (1969-1991) and Chairman, City of Jackson Housing Authority Board of Commissioners (1990-91). Dr. Johnson is Administrator, Ministries' Divisions and Faculty Member, National Baptist Congress of Christian Education; Board of Directors, General Baptist State Convention of Mississippi; Member, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO); Member, Public Housing Authorities Directors' Association (PHADA); Member, Southeastern Regional, Housing and Redevelopment Officials; Member, Phi Delta Kappa Professional Fraternity; Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated; and Member, Beta Gamma Boule, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.
In recognition of his service to the church and community, he was awarded honorary degrees from Natchez College (D.D) and Mississippi Baptist Seminary (D.D.). Dr. Johnson received the Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference's Distinguished Religious Leaders’ Award, the 1990 Boy Scouts of America District Award of Merit, New Horizon Church International, 2008 Community Servant Award, and the 2012 Fannie Lou Hamer Humanitarian Award, presented by the Hamer Institute, Jackson State University. Dr. Johnson is a member of the International Society of Theta Phi and is listed in Personalities of the South, 1973 edition and Biographical Directory of Negro Ministers, third edition and a Contributor, Townsend Commentary, 1988-89. He is the author Farewell, My Friends: A Book of Eulogies and Tributes, published by Trafford Press, 2010.
THE
History
The history of the local African American congregation has traditional centered around the tenure of the pastor. That history highlights accomplishments of the congregation and the pastor during that pastorate. Farish Street Church has held to that tradition. Each pastor has contributed to the ministry of this congregation and beyond. While they served the Farish Street Church, each pastor also served the larger community as missionaries, educators, and civic governmental officials. Their contributions to the African American Church and religious life in Mississippi will live on beyond their time. What follows is a historical chronology of a congregation that believed in the call of God to be extraordinary and to do extraordinary ministry.
The history of Farish Street Baptist Church is rich with contributions not only to the local congregation but also to the broader African American community in Mississippi. Over the years, each pastor has left an indelible mark on the church and its surrounding community, embodying the call to extraordinary ministry. These pastors have not only shepherded their flock but have also served as missionaries, educators, and civic leaders, always with a focus on uplifting both the spiritual and social well-being of the community.
As the congregation followed its pastors through each season of ministry, they collectively responded to the call of God to live out a profound mission. Their work extended beyond the church’s walls, impacting the educational and social spheres and contributing to the moral and spiritual fabric of the wider Jackson area and beyond.
The legacy of Farish Street Baptist Church and its pastors will forever stand as a testament to the resilience, dedication, and faithfulness of a community that sought to make a tangible difference. From fighting for civil rights to establishing educational initiatives and empowering future generations, the extraordinary work done through this congregation will echo through time. The historical chronology of the church not only honors the individuals who served as its pastors but also highlights the collective impact of their ministry on the African American church and religious life in Mississippi.