Josiah E Williams, his wife Allison, and their children.
Josiah's Testimony
I’m a minister’s child, so if the church was open, my family was there. I experienced churches
mistreat my family in various ways. I also felt they held us to a higher standard. I had wonderful
parents, but at times I felt they cared more about church than me. I found the Christian faith to be
irrelevant as I grew and cared more about what others thought of me. I struggled to find belonging
and purpose.
During High School football I found myself struggling to breathe. The season ended so I went
to the doctor to discover I had Blastomycosis; a fungal pneumonia. They began to treat me, but I
responded poorly to the medication and my kidneys started shutting down. I was rushed to another
hospital, and my family was informed I would likely not survive another day. I was angry at God
because I believed he could heal me but He was not. I was suffering and did not understand why.
There was a church steeple outside my hospital window, and I wanted the blinds shut because I
didn’t want to even see that cross.
As evening approached, the staff and my family waited for my death. My parents had asked
every person they could think of to pray. That night I experienced a feeling of peace like I never
had before and I fell asleep. I believe that peace to be God’s presence, and when I woke it was still
there. Instead of death, I began to make improvements. A bigger change had happened within my
spirit. I wanted the blinds open; I wanted to see the cross. I felt that this faith was not my parents’,
but had become my own. I felt that the Creator spared me for a purpose and I felt a calling.
Something within me seemed to be telling me I was meant to care for others.
After a long road of treatment and recovery I joined the Army as a Chaplain Assistant and
served for 10 years to include Iraq. I experienced moral injuries or betrayals of my own values
there and other experiences I wish never occurred. But I also met wonderful people and was able to
care for those serving in a meaningful way that I found valuable. In all the trials of life God is
faithful, but it doesn't make them easy seasons. Coming home from war and adjusting was hard,
but I attended Seminary. I was working in healthcare security at the beginning of the Covid-19
pandemic and experienced more moral injury. I then transitioned to become a hospital Chaplain to
care for the patients and staff being impacted by illness and suffering.
Today, my wife Allison and our children own and operate various rentals alongside ministry. I
truly believe God has been faithful to me, equipped me to care for others and I hope I can show a
glimpse of the Creator to every person I meet. What’s your story? I’d love to hear it.
Josiah's Value Statements
This is my current list of values I use to help guide my professional interactions & decisions.
Care for myself and my family: I cannot care for others if I neglect myself or my loved ones. Care for others
comes out of my good health and out of prioritizing my family’s health and needs.
Uphold the worth and value of every person I meet: My faith tradition teaches people are made in the
image of the Creator. Regardless of any label, history, or qualification, a person is worthy simply by being
human.
Be responsible for myself and others: Whatever I do, I hope to do it heartily and to take ownership of
mistakes and areas for growth. Responsibility also means to bear one another's burdens. It’s not about me.
Ensure integrity is guiding my actions & responses: I hope to engage this world from a place of both
character (cognitive morality) and integrity (honest, ethical, and consistent or morality of the heart/soul).
Give empathy to those I meet: Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. It’s okay to
celebrate others' success or be with them in trials. I strive to be kind, forgiving, understanding, and
non-judgemental to those I interact with.
Get curious; everyone has a profound story to tell: Our experiences are unique and our journey is our own.
I don't know a person until I listen. I like to get curious and be open to hear where life has taken them, with
all of the ups and downs.
Honor the past, but do not get tied to it: Those who came before and built what is there had a reason. I
desire not to dismantle or change without understanding why something is the way it is. I also don't want
to become so stuck in the past that I fail to innovate.
Be generous: Do good and share with others. I strive to share my time, resources, grace or what best
benefits the other person.
Express gratitude in all circumstances: Be thankful for big and little things. I want to remember those who
support me and the things that make a positive impact on this world.
Make space for the scared: My faith tradition teaches of the presence of the Divine in all things. Even the
mundane moments of life are connected to the sacred. There is mystery in the spiritual, and I seek to draw
attention to it and allow the sacred to impact me and others.
Empower Others: Other people have skill sets and abilities I do not. Helping to develop others' skills or
allow them to take on a new task, even if I'm capable of it, is a way of investing in their future. Be sure to
offer support and clarity to those you empower.
Be Quick to Ask for Aid: Asking for help will always lead to a better outcome when you are outside your skill
sets. Be willing to learn from others for the future.
Future Hopes for OCC
Below are ten hopes for OCC should God open this door. These hopes are subject to change as they
need to be hopes for the entire body and leadership to execute and/or adjust with the Spirit's guidance.
We need to honor past work that has been done and what is being done currently at OCC. It’s not about
changing everything. This community has influenced me and equipped me well as is, and any changes
should be done with intention, have support from leadership, and not all at once.
1. The main goal needs to be making disciples who then are equipped to make more disciples.
Discipleship needs to be prioritized over any programming. Using a model that can be replicated for
meetings, small groups, Sunday, ect. would allow for a norm to be established and for replication of
small groups, home churches, big building churches, wherever God calls his people.
2. Prioritize a village to support families. Having childrens and youth ministries, opportunities for
families to get together, date nights for parents?, and a support network.
3. The pastor does not need to preach every Sunday. My hope would be to utilize the skills in the
body & empower other teachers. Prioritizing more voices than just one or two (this is a criticism
many young people have for the American church). Testimony Sundays where someone from the
body shares their story, allowing current leaders to speak more, prioritizing missionaries, & ensuring
the unseasoned (interns?) have a chance to learn and grow as teachers.
4. Continue making OCC the church of second chances; the church of felons, a church for the
unchurched, a church that lovingly condemns the Pharisee in all of us, and makes space for the
outcasts. Make a space that is true to the reality of God and his message while welcoming.
5. Build closer partnerships with AG Organizations. Examples: The District, Assembly Park &
North Central University. North Central would allow for interns and we could help equip the next
generation of ministers. It’s a close AG school and we should be part of what they are doing.
Assembly Park reaches children more than many of us understand, unfortunately the lionshare of
spiritual growth happens at bible camp for many U.S. children.
6. Be slow to change when we are able to take the time. There are situations when a decision needs to
be made promptly and you can't wait forever to make a decision. But allow time to understand why
it is done the way it is, pray and ensure there is support before making significant changes.
7. Be a different kind of church. Lean into the history of the church and our fellowship, we are
Pentecostal, but be ok with letting go of some American church culture.
8. Paydown debt to invest in the future. This community has been financially healthy and I don't see
that changing, but any less liability frees us to do more ministry and is an example of christian
stewardship to the body and community. Be very transparent in how we steward God’s resources.
9. The Building & Church Planting. Layout goals/timelines for building the addition in Osceola (if
that is the goal). The plan should be intentional and allow for adjustment as needed. Multiplication is
a result of the Holy Spirit working and so is sending out loved members of our body to minister, so
we should also be intentional about planting churches/partnering to plant churches.
10. Continue making space for the Holy Spirit to work. If we are Pentecostal then it should be
evident. But also in order, without confusion, and encouraging to the body. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS
ALWAYS RELEVANT! Teach on the Spirit, make space for the spirit to move, & empower others to
learn safely.