R.A.W.- God, Grits, and More

About the Book

“I gave you to the Lord, son.”

“Why, Dad?  Don’t you remember telling me how hard you and Mom prayed to have me?  You asked for me, didn’t you?  Now you’re giving me back!  Don’t you want me anymore?”

Despite his best efforts, Dr. Williams discovered that he was not in control of the steps or order of his life.  Innately, he knew that he would one day become a minister.  However, he did not know the unbelievable territory through which his journey would take him.  He candidly shares the real story behind the ephemeral earthly glory of God’s messenger.  Discover how he arrived at death’s door and what enabled him to find life’s door again.

Experience his story of laughter, tears, sacrifice, pain, and friendships won and lost.  View his “wilderness experience” amid the crowd, his isolation among his own, and the ultimate victory not of his making.

Growing up in Houston, Texas during a time of radical social change and poverty, Dr. Williams overcame the hurdles of his environment, his health, and his speech in ways that even he did not comprehend.

Share with him grit(s) of every conceivable nature.  Experience the traumas, joys, and threshings he experienced on his journey to his calling. 

This touching story will inspire you to deeper convictions that God is indeed an ever-present help, regardless of whom we are, regardless of where we live, regardless of what we think we know, regardless of . . .

About the Author

Since 2003, the Los Angeles Focus has dubbed Dr. R. A. Williams, Jr., a native Houstonian, among the ten most influential pastors in the Los Angeles area.   He is noted for delivery of God’s word in the context of its original times and languages (Greek and Hebrew), while making it relevant to  present times.  He also masters in creating vivid, humorous, realistic word-pictures making his messages unforgettable.

He received his B.A. from Texas Southern University, his master’s and Ph.D. of Religion from California Graduate School of Theology.  On October 6, 2006, Faith Theological Seminary of Seattle, Washington, awarded Dr. Williams the Honorary PhD of Divinity, a degree seldom conferred by the Seminary.

Dr. Williams is co-founder and current president of WHW Ministries, based in Los Angeles.  WHW’s curriculum centers on teaching pastors and ministers expository sermon development, syntax, context, cultural relevance to interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and presentation. 

Dr. Williams has taught and preached throughout the United States, the West Indies, Europe, and Jamaica.  He was the fourth Afro-American invited to speak at the Gulf Coast Keswick Convention in its bicentennial history at South Western Seminary, the world’s largest seminary; at the Southern Baptist Evangelism Conference; and at the 2006 and 2007 Hollywood Bowl Easter Celebrations.  He has the honorary title of Kentucky Colonel, the highest honorary title Kentucky bestows on unelected officials.  Among his many community affiliations are the Los Angeles Clergy, and the Planning Task Force.  Dr. Williams has been featured the the 2007 May/June issue of GOSPEL TRUTH MAGAZINE, which  may be accessed at www.gospeltruthmagazine.com.

Dr. Williams pastors McCoy Memorial Baptist Church in Los Angeles.  He and his wife Debbie reside in California (in the former home of Ray Charles) and in Texas.  Contact him about the book or speaking engagements at debsraw@msn.com.