First United Methodist church hemphill

My Faith Journey

I was born in Nicaragua into a Catholic family. My religious and Christian education began early in my childhood under my parents’ leadership with rigorous religious instruction. When I was 19, I was invited to a Baptist revival meeting. The guest speaker for the week was a lawyer, Gustavo Sevilla, who had recently converted to the faith. There I had an experience that I now see as similar to that of John Wesley at Aldersgate. I felt a sense of assurance of my salvation. I truly experienced the awesome love of God as the father and creator; I experienced the redeeming grace of the Lord Jesus Christ; and I experienced unexplainable sustaining fellowship the Holy Spirit. I felt a sense of joy and love for all God’s people.

One of my favorite quotes is from Albert Einstein: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”

At the University I had planned to study political science, but my mind was now set on a theological education. I had become a Baptist. I earned the standard theological degree of an educated protestant pastor in Nicaragua (which fortunately was reviewed and recognized by the Texas Conference).

I went through a process of healing and restoration with a family therapist. During this period I was working for Texas A&M, teaching nutrition to Hispanic parents and school children throughout the Houston Independent School District. In the course of this work I met Pamela Fulbright-Scheyer who invited me to Park Place UMC, there I met Pastor Jose Peña who suggested me to visit Clear Lake UMC. I found I was needed more at Clear Lake, and as a volunteer I began a ministry to the surrounding Hispanic community. I met Rev. Tony Vinson and Rev. Harold Travis, and soon their stories gave me hope that I could again serve as a pastor.

After a year volunteering at Clear Lake UMC, Rev. Vinson invited me to join the staff. I was ordained Elder within the United Methodist Church.

After serving for over eight years at Clear Lake UMC as an Associate Pastor; in 2020 I was appointed to serve at Hemphill First UMC and Pineland First UMC.

I am thankful to have discovered the United Methodist Church. Here I have found a balance between heart and mind, a balance between personal piety and social action, and a balance between God’s sovereignty and human freedom. Part of all the blessings God has given me, one of them is that I am now happily married to my beautiful and beloved wife, and have two wonderful children Roxy & Randy Williams, I have found my home and my calling.