The sun was shining bright on Saturday, March 27, 2021, as we sat in anticipation of the opening words to begin the installation services of Rev. Pierce A. Williams as pastor of the First Union Baptist Church on Dill Road. This was a drive-in worship experience, and the parking lot was full of friends, family, and church members, waiting to congratulate Rev. Williams on this momentous day. The speaker for the occasion was Rev. F. Todd Gray, pastor of Fifth Street Baptist church. 

As Rev. Gray and Rev. Williams greeted each other in the pastor's study, you could see the mutual happiness of seeing each other, and you could feel the holy spirit was in the room, as Rev. Williams addresses Rev. Gray as his "spiritual father."

Rev. Pierce A. Williams was a staff member at Fifth Street Baptist Church from October 2015 until October 2019. He started his ministry with Fifth Street as the Children and Youth Minister. Later in his tenure, he became the Executive Minister in charge of church finances, overseeing the many ministries within the church and working closely with Rev. Gray. Rev. Williams also met the love of his life, his now wife and First Lady, Michelle Lewis Williams at Fifth Street. 

Many associate ministers under Rev. Gray's guidance and mentorship have become pastors of their own church. In 2019, God called Rev. Williams to do his ministry away from Fifth Street, but the bond and relationships he held with them never died. And on March 27, Rev. Williams became the pastor of First Union Baptist Church on Dill Road. 

Rev. Gray, the homilist for the worship experience, greeted First Union Baptist members and expressed the following about the church and Rev. Williams.

"You are a great church, and you are getting a great man," said Rev. Gray. "There are a number of folk that preach good, and then there are some good preachers. You have found a good preacher. Not only is he gifted, but he has a love for God, God's people, and that he is sincere...He reminded me that four years to the day I ordained him, and this is a double honor."

As Rev. Gray began his sermon using Matthew 10:5-10 as his scripture reference and the address was entitled Marching Orders. His message asserted the need to spend time with the Lord, even when you don't want something. He said, "you have to be prepared before you go into battle, and every now and then, just have a little talk with Jesus. Spend time crying with Jesus and receiving the holy spirit from Jesus."

The car horns were sounding off as people listened and responded to this stirring and uplifting message from Rev. Gray. The scripture reference tells us that our marching orders are to meet the people's needs within the church. And in closing, he reminded Rev. Williams that God will take care of him when no one else has his back.

After all the official acts of installation were completed, Pastor Pierce A. Williams gave his remarks. He first thanked the First Union Baptist Church, its leadership, and its members. He then went on to share his appreciation to Rev. Gray and the Fifth Street Baptist Church family.

"To my spiritual father, to Rev. F. Todd Gray. I love you, sir, and I honor you, I honor you," said Rev. Williams. "You allowed me to come to Fifth Street as the Youth Pastor and Executive Minister. And I am forever grateful for those long nights and all those learning experiences that we have endured together. I thank God for you and my Fifth Street family. Where you at Fifth Street (car horns sounding in response)? Again to Pastor F. Todd Gray and my Fifth Street family, thank you for nurturing me, and thank you for loving me, and thank you for continuously supporting us even down the street across the railroad tracks, you are supporting us, and I thank God for you."