Chris Williamson was born July 17, 1968, in Baltimore, Maryland as the youngest of five children to Harold and Betty Williamson. He was born-again through Jesus Christ on June 29, 1984, at a Christian camp in the hills of Maryland.
After graduating from high school in 1986, he went on to attend the Christian, liberal arts institution Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Chris was called to preach on July 4, 1987, in New York City while ministering with Manhattan Bible Church.
Chris began dating Dorena McFarland on Valentine’s Day of 1988 and the two were later married on December 28, 1991. While at Liberty University, Chris participated in an evangelistic music ministry called Transformation Crusade for six years.
Upon completion of his undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies in 1990, a Master of Religious Education at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in 1992, and ordination into the gospel ministry under Dr. Allen McFarland of Calvary Evangelical Baptist Church in Portsmouth, VA, the Williamsons moved to Nashville, TN to further explore their musical options in gospel rap. It became quickly apparent, however, that God did not bring them to Nashville for music.
History of Strong Tower Bible Church
When Transformation Crusade decided that God had brought an end to their musical ministry Chris began working with Christ Community Church (PCA) in Franklin, Tennessee. He came on staff with them in January 1993 as an intern with Franklin Community Ministries. While working in the lower income communities of Franklin, God began to move upon Chris’ heart to plant a church. Planting a church, by the way, was something Chris said that he would never do.
Nevertheless, God had burdened Chris’ heart for black men and the need to teach them the realness and relevancy of God. He believed this knowledge of Christ would transform them personally, their homes, and subsequently their communities. He began a Bible study in his apartment complex to minister to the parents of the young people he worked with. In the meantime, Chris preached on several occasions at Christ Community Church which gave some of the white believers on hand a glimpse into his heart and burden for ministry. It appeared that God was at work in the “deep South” putting together an interracial fellowship of believers.
In the summer months of 1995, Chris and Dorena held a series of prayer and informational meetings for anyone who may have been interested in forming a non-denominational, Bible-based fellowship. Because of the outpouring of God’s favor, Strong Tower Bible Church held its first service on September 3, 1995, at the Franklin YMCA in the aerobics’ room. There were 68 friends, relatives, and well- wishers at that first service. The core membership of the church was about 30 people. From day one, Strong Tower Bible Church was a multiracial, multi-economic, and multicultural church.
Testimonials
"I would describe Strong Tower in one word, loving. Everyone here is loving and that's what I love about Strong Tower." - Felicia Mason
"[Strong Tower]...having the courage to do things that other churches would not do, I admire." - Thad Fairley
"There was an immediate sense of welcome, of generous hospitality and an immediate ability to go deep. We were able to be authentic, real, ask difficult questions, be challenged, and it was all in a loving environment where we knew that the Lord Jesus Christ was being lifted up and glorified as we saw the Body at work." - Yuri van der Heijden
"Strong Tower does not miss a beat in loving on people. It's my family. Sunday is one of my favorite days of the week for sure." - Felicia Knox
"Everyone at Strong Tower comes from different places and different backgrounds, but when we come to the church, we are all one family." - Joy Bledsoe
"It's the diversity here at Strong Tower that I absolutely love." - Michelle Sellers
"We feel like we're getting a degree and being educated and empowered and again, stirred. That word, stirred keeps coming to mind, stirred to act, to be called to do and love and press in." - Ben Wolf
"We love being a part of a community that values the gospel in the way that we value the gospel." - Jon Kever
Through The Years
