Chris & Alba Williams with their kids

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”
Acts 17:24-27

In darkness two souls reached out simultaneously in prayer, calling upon a God they knew existed but were not close to. This is our story, but is written by God. We met and married in a period of two months, agreeing that seeking God was needed, but not recognizing the cost. Once we sat down to study the Bible, ultimately leading to my baptism and Alba’s restoration on February 8, 1999 in Portland, the reality of a joyful life of discipline, suffering and death to self set in. Soon God’s wonderful plan became our vision too. Our dream was to reach out to the Latino communities of Oregon and have a vibrant Latin ministry in Portland.

By 2001 this dream was dead. For nearly two years sin dominated our marriage and our family and we drifted far from the Lord. Then in 2003 a glimmer of hope began to flicker, and then shine. The rekindling of dreams in Portland came through God blowing the McKeans into town. Their heart was to reach out to a hurting congregation that had dwindled to contain only nine Latinos, half of whom survived only thanks to an old translation machine and a beat up translator. Our hearts were jump-started and soon the dream was a reality. God determined there would be a fired up Latino ministry in Portland, which has now grown to nearly 60 sold-out, Spanish-speaking disciples.

Truly God has determined the time and the place. Now once again God has said “Go!” and has determined the time for a thriving and committed Latin ministry in Chicago by which “men would seek him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him.” Against all odds we are here in Chicago to serve Him! We brought with us that same old translation machine, but this old translator is in much better shape these days. While translation is good, our goal is to have a fully functioning Latin ministry with Sunday and mid-week services conducted entirely in Spanish, as well as multiple Bible talks throughout the city, the state, the Mid-West and the entire country! The dream is alive and it starts with us- God has determined this. We are so excited to see God’s Kingdom is advancing in Chicago, “la ciudad de los vientos.”

Y que la gloria sea para Dios.
To God be the glory.

Chris y Alba Williams

Categories: Testimonials