WS Chronicle

Photo by Timothy Ramsey

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

The Rev. Dr. Lamonte Williams, lead pastor of Diggs Memorial United Holy Church, celebrated the completion of his doctoral studies in a ceremony that was held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Fellowship Hall on Saturday, Nov. 12.

After three years of schooling at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, Williams received his doctoral degree. There were many esteemed guest who attended the event, such as Mayor Allen Joines, state Sen. Paul Lowe and state Rep. Evelyn Terry.  The Honorable Judge Denise Hartsfield served as the mistress of ceremonies.

The ceremony was filled with wonderful singing from Beverly Alexander, a meal and an inspirational message from guest speaker the Rev. Dr. John Mendez, lead pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church. Dr. Willams’ mentor and former teacher, the Rev. Dr. J.T. Roberson, presented Williams with his Doctorate of Ministry degree.

“The Doctorate of Ministry program is about self-development as well as ministry development, and we measure a student based on the progress we’ve seen in them. He did a very good job of doing an introspection of himself seeing how that shaped the character of who he was,” said Roberson. “The prophetic leadership was his project, and he exemplifies that, and I thought he did a very good job.”

Mendez spoke about how proud he was of Williams for “taking the hard road and not the easy road.” He said life is full of moments of celebration and that sometimes you must struggle to make you stronger as you pursue your goals.

Williams took the podium and thanked everyone for coming out to celebrate his momentous occasion. He had a special thank you to his congregation at Diggs Memorial for their patience while he traveled back and forth to Ohio to study for the last three years.

“It’s humbling, exciting and I’m very appreciative and this was a wonderful event,” said Williams. “More importantly I recognize there is a higher level of expectations now. I could have chosen some easier paths for higher education but this is an earned doctorate and there is something to be said for all the blood, sweat and tears that I put in. It’s made me a better minister because I know there are people depending on me to do the right thing.”

Williams went on to say that he had thoughts of giving up but deep down he could not see himself giving up. He said the class started with 14 candidates and by the time graduation came around, only himself and one other finished. He said he was humbled that he could have been one of the 12 that did not finish but he had mentors that would not let him fail.

The Rev. Dr. Daryl Napper provided the bless-ing for the food and said Williams is a good friend of his and he was very proud of him. He said the ceremony was great and thanked God for the opportunity to share this experience with him.

Williams’ mother, Doretha Williams, said “I am so proud of him and it’s because of God’s grace   and mercy.

He has kept him, made a way for him and opened up many doors to enable him to achieve his accomplishments. It’s all because of God.”