Greetings from your new Association Coordinator!
Dear JRBA Family,
I am grateful and excited to begin serving as the Association Coordinator for the James River Baptist Association. It is a joy to step into this role and to continue walking alongside our churches as we seek to strengthen one another, encourage our pastors and leaders, and partner together for the sake of the gospel.
Over the last several months, many of our conversations have centered around how JRBA can better serve as a resource center and hub of missions for our churches. I am hopeful about what God is doing among us and eager to help build stronger relationships, improve communication, identify helpful resources, and support the ministry God is already doing in and through each congregation.
Please know that I see this role as one of service and partnership. I look forward to visiting with pastors and church leaders, listening well, learning the unique needs and strengths of each church, and helping us discover ways we can work together more faithfully and fruitfully.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve in this new capacity. I am honored to be part of this next season in the life of JRBA, and I am praying that God will continue to guide us as we seek to make Christ known in our communities.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Austin Williams
Association Coordinator
James River Baptist Association
Bio
Rev. Austin Williams serves as the Association Coordinator for the James River Baptist Association and as Pastor of Mulberry Grove Baptist Church in Buckingham, Virginia. He joined the staff of Mulberry Grove in 2020 as Associate Pastor and transitioned into the role of Senior Pastor in January 2023.
Before serving at Mulberry Grove, Austin served as Director of Baptist Collegiate Ministries at Longwood University, where he worked with college students through discipleship, leadership development, and campus ministry. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Austin is passionate about strengthening churches, encouraging pastors, developing leaders, and helping congregations live on mission in their communities. He and his wife, Kristie, were married in 2024 and enjoy life on their little hobby farm.
