Dr. F. Bruce Williams was born July 19, 1959 to Rev. Earl B. and Norrene T. Williams at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia. Early in life, God ordained Dr. Williams’ footsteps. Earning numerous honors, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Florida A & M University and went on to obtain his Masters of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Doctorate in Ministry from the United Theological Seminary.
Since 1986, Dr. Williams has served as Senior Pastor of Bates Memorial Baptist Memorial Baptist Church located in Smoketown, one of the poorest zip codes in Jefferson County, Louisville, Kentucky, after serving as an associate minister. The congregation has grown exponentially, seeing its membership increase from 100 members to over 5,000 members. In addition, the ministries of the church have increased and currently provide 58 diverse areas for people to serve.
Through the Bates Community Development Corporation there are numerous of additional, creative ministry opportunities. In 2004, Bates Memorial unveiled its newly constructed multi-million dollar Worship Facility in an effort to reach more souls for Christ, through teaching Biblical principles and applying them to practical life issues.