Eric Williams thought being a pastor would be boring—that is, until he started working at summer camp and discovered that Christianity could be "very, very fun."
"I started getting addicted to watching people come to Jesus," Williams recalled. Later, at Walla Walla College, Williams majored in theology and spent a year as a student missionary in Ecuador (where he met his future wife, Carla).
Ministry at Auburn City and Transformation Life Center in Olympia sandwiched Williams' time in seminary. Currently, Eric and Carla Williams serve the Morton, Onalaska and Winlock churches.
"Preach out of your experience with Jesus," advised Washington Conference president, John Freedman, during the ordination service. "People want to see Jesus, hear His voice and sense His presence. Bring them Jesus."
Brad Brown wanted to become a physical therapist. God, though, presented the first chapter of a better plan through Brown's participation in an evangelistic crusade in Belarus. Returning to Walla Walla College, Brown switched his major to theology.
Brown first served as associate pastor at Tacoma Central. After seminary, he served as associate pastor at Forest Park Church in Everett. In 2004, Brad and Melea Brown began ministering the Graham and Windworks churches and currently pastor the Graham and Yelm churches.
"It's been a good life having the Lord mess with my best-laid plans," Brown said at his ordination.
"You are being ordained to love God," said Doug Bing, Washington Conference vice president for administration, in his ordination charge, "and to make an impact in the community for Jesus Christ."
Washington Conference pastors form a circle of support during the ordination prayer for Brad and Melea Brown. (Heidi Martella)
Pastors and church members kneel around Eric and Carla Williams for the ordination prayer. (Heidi Martella)
