Rev. Gary Williams

Pastor Gary was born and raised in Los Angeles. He is the pastor of Saint Mark LA UMC in the heart of South LA. He completed his undergraduate studies at LA City College, Cal State University, Los Angeles, and BA Degree in Pan African Studies, LA Southwest Community College, completing the Chemical Dependency Certificate Program, and Master of Divinity at Claremont School of Theology. An Ordained Elder in the California Pacific Annual Conference, he is presently the Co-Chair of the CLUE Board of Directors. He has served on the General Board of Church and Society’s Advisory Team for 2019, Ministry with the Poor Gathering in Orlando, Florida, Chair of the Cal Pac Conference Committee working to End Mass Incarceration, Past-Chair Strengthening the Black Church Conference Committee. Founded the Full Circle Recovery Ministry, a Christian based 12 Step group and Faith in Action, a group working to end Gun and Gang violence in South LA. He brings a passion for congregational revitalization, spiritual transformation, community engagement and children and youth mentorship. Pastor Gary has a prophetic, progressive, and transformative vision of what South Los Angeles can be. Pastor Gary believes very deeply that, “only what you do for Christ will last.” He is married to Myrna Larue Jefferson-Williams a gifted teacher and church leader who is a passionate advocate for all people.