Bishop Matthew Williams was born March of 1956 in Lakeland, Florida. He is the son of the late Elder Matthew Williams, Sr. and the late Mother Louise Williams.
Bishop Matthew Williams graduated from Brandon High School in 1974 and attended Hillsborough Community College to refine his musical skill. April 21, 2018 he received a Doctor of Divinity Degree from Saint Thomas University in Jacksonville, Florida.
Bishop Williams accepted Christ as his personal Savior in 1973, at the age of 17. In 1975, he started his career with Busch Gardens and remained there until he became a full-time pastor in 1987. Bishop Williams began working in Brown Memorial Church of God in Christ as a Deacon in Training in 1975 and in 1976 he was appointed a Deacon in the church.
In 1980 Bishop Williams acknowledged his call to the ministry and in 1982 he became a Licensed Minister. He was ordained an Elder in February of 1984 by the late Bishop W. E. Davis.
March 26, 1985 Bishop Williams was appointed Pastor of Brown Temple Church of God in Christ. In March of 1996 Bishop Williams and the congregation marched into a newly built edifice. In honor of its founder, Bishop Williams changed the name of the church to Brown Memorial Church of God in Christ.
After the demise of Bishop W. E. Davis, Bishop Williams was selected Bishop Designee of the Jurisdiction of Southwestern Florida in November of 1997; and was consecrated and installed to the sacred office on February 24, 1998.
Bishop Williams has held many positions. As an Elder and Superintendent he served as Second Administrative Assistant to the late Bishop W. E. Davis, Assistant Superintendent of the Pinellas District, Superintendent of the Greater Love and Suncoast Districts, National Adjutant, and Overseer Adjutant.
Since his installment as Bishop, Bishop Williams has served as Chairman of the Dress Code Committee, Protocol Committee, Election Committee, Adjutant Bishop and Episcopal Coordinator of the Board of Bishops.
In January 2005 Bishop Williams was appointed Adjutant General of the Church of God in Christ and served for three terms (2005-2016) as the chief minister of protocol for the national church. In November 2016, during the 109th Annual Holy Convocation in St. Louis, Missouri, Bishop Matthew Williams was elected as one of the Church of God in Christ’s newest members of its General Board – the highest executive and administrative board within the Church of God in Christ; consisting of twelve elected bishops, including the Presiding Bishop. With this elevation, Bishop Williams received the episcopal name of Bishop Matthew John Williams.
Bishop Matthew Williams has been married to Gayle (Dixon) Williams since 1976. They have been blessed with one daughter, Deniece Williams.
