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Pastor's Bio

Reverend Dr. Ralph E. Williamson

Reverend Dr. Ralph E. Williamson was appointed as the Senior Pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAMEC), North Las Vegas, Nevada, in November 2003. According to FAMEC's motto, "Where the Word is Taught, The Gospel is Preached, and Souls are Saved" under Rev. Williamson's leadership, the church grew within a four-year period from having 375 to over 896 members. With expanded church growth, quickly the church outgrew its sanctuary and multi-purpose room. Williamson presented a clear vision for the future of the church to the congregation. Upon establishment of a church expansion and steering committee he challenged the congregation to catch the vision.

During a church conference on April 15, 2006, members voted to commence work for the new sanctuary; and two years later FAME Church broke ground on a new worship center. In December 2008, the construction of a $2.6 million state-of-the art sanctuary was completed. The project was completed in adverse conditions, whereas many of FAME's members were heavily impacted as Nevada led the nation in unemployment and foreclosures. Yet, the project was completed within scope, under budget and ahead of schedule.

Under Rev. Williamson's administration and leadership skills, new ministries and programs for the youth, seniors, and the under privilege were created. They include a FAME food bank, a free summer lunch program for youth, tutoring programs for a wide range of subjects, and health ministries. FAME has received numerous grants from government and private institutions to fund many of its programs. In 2006, Rev. Williamson established FAME Transportation Inc. (FTI) with a loan of $6,900 to serve Medicare patients throughout the greater Las Vegas community. Williamson, as the founder and CEO of FAME Transportation Inc., the largest African American non-profit employer in the state of Nevada employed over 21 employees with an annual budget of $600,000.

Among Dr. Williamson's other ministry appointments, he has served as the pastor of Christ Our Redeemer A.M.E. Church, Denver, Colorado, and Hubbard Chapel A.M.E. Church in La Junta, Colorado. Dr. Williamson served as church administrator and Associate Minister at Shorter Community AME Church in Denver, and Assistant Youth Minister and Christian Education Superintendent at Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church in Colorado Springs.

Throughout Rev. Dr. Williamson's career, he has received many special awards and honors recognizing his professional, academic and community achievements, including being named as "Preacher of the Year" by the Lay Organization of the Fifth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church; Outstanding Pastor by the Southern California Young People's Department; Minister of the Year by Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc., Far Western Regional Conference; and the "Spiritual Leadership Appreciation Award" by the City of Las Vegas Diversity Planning Team.

Prior to Dr. Williamson's career as a pastor, he worked in the United States Postal Service in various management positions and as postmaster in midsize post offices. His duties involved postal operations, financial oversight, and personnel management.

Dr. Williamson is actively involved in the Las Vegas community where he has served on the Executive Board of Caucus of African American Nevadans (CAAN) and the Advisory Board for Southern Nevada Coalition of Concerned Women (SNCCW). He is a member of the Las Vegas Chapter of the NAACP; the Ministerial Alliance of Southern Nevada; Churches of Southern Nevada; the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce; and the founder of Focus Urban Development Corporation and Focus Inc.

Dr. Williamson holds a Doctorate of Ministry Degree (D.Min.) from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio; a Masters of Divinity from the Iliff School of Theology; and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management from Colorado Christian University in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Williamson is also a graduate of the Harvard Summer Leadership Institute. The training program affiliated with the Harvard Divinity School emphasis was on theological instruction for individuals engaged in community and economic development.

"Pastor Ralph" is especially concerned about the future facing the youth. As a result, he devoted considerable time to working with 'Faith Trek', a spiritual journey curriculum through the Iliff School of Theology, designed to help young people ages 16-18 reach their spiritual potential.

Dr. Williamson completed his disseration on "A Collaborative Study Model for Enhancing Spiritual Growth in the Midst of an Ever-Changing Environment" at United Theological Seminary in 2008. He is currently writing "Preparing Youth for the 21st Century," which includes a student/teacher's manual, journal, and curriculum on spiritual confirmation for youth ages 13-18. The curriculum will enhance students' spiritual development and understanding of church history and tenets. It will be published in the spring of 2012.