Dennis Williams

Position: Professor of Leadership and Church Ministry, retiring at the end of July

Spouse: Cornelia (48 years — 49 in June)

Children: Jean and Michael

An interesting fact about your family: All four of us enjoy travel, museums, the symphony and the theatre.

Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

Current church: Walnut Street Baptist Church

Current local church ministry: Adult Sunday School teacher and member of the church social ministry committee

Ministry philosophy: My ministry philosophy is articulated in Ephesians 4 where God called some to serve in order to equip others for ministry. I like the concept of a "player/coach" as this illustrates my approach to ministry. I look for potential leaders in whom I can invest my life so that they in turn will equip others in God's Kingdom.

Most influential person in your life: My wife

Favorite Southern Seminary memory: The times we have been able to entertain students in our home.

Most embarrassing moment: In my first church in 1957 I was leading the music and since I was left-handed, I always moved the third beat of 4/4 rhythm strongly to the left. My new pastor was reaching for something in the pulpit and as the third beat came up, I hit him in the mouth. He preached that morning with a swollen tongue. This is not the way to make a good impression in a new ministry position. When the SBC was in Phoenix a couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to visit with him. Apparently, the incident did not destroy our friendship.

Most interesting classroom moment: While teaching at the King of Kings College (Messianic Jewish School) in Tel Aviv, Israel, there were three different, simultaneous translations going on while we were teaching. This was the most distracting teaching experience I've ever had.

Favorite preacher: Danny Akin

Favorite music group: Boston Pops

Favorite movie: The Pink Panther series

Something surprising students might not know about you: While in my doctoral program back in 1969, I nearly lost my life from the complications of a ruptured appendix. It took nearly two years to get back on my feet.

A word of wisdom for Towers readers: Difficult things take a long time; impossible things take a little longer.