LEADERSHIP
THE REV. JAMES WILLIAMS
Pastor
Having served in a variety of capacity in other congregations for decades, Pastor James is delighted to find a home as the newest Pastor of the historic First Baptist Church of Philadelphia. Joining First Baptist in January 2020, Pastor James feels divinely called to continue the church's 325+ year ministry to the City of Brotherly Love, with an emphasis on community outreach and engagement. Prior to accepting his call, Rev. Williams attended Palmer Theological Seminary where he earned his Master of Divinity degree. While at Palmer, James served as a Presidential Scholar, a Sider Scholar, a Campolo Scholar, and as a Church Mutual Religion Scholar. Before that, James earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Pennsylvania State University, where he graduated as valedictorian of his class (Brandywine Campus).
Rev. Williams is passionate about his work with marginalized groups within society--particularly Philadelphia's homeless population and the LGBT+ community. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Theology and Homiletics at Eastern University as the Lilly Compelling Preaching Campolo Fellow, and serves as a Special Assistant to Short-Term Mission for American Baptist International Ministries. In his personal life, James loves drumming and spending time with his family, including his wife ("Michele"), dog ("Eleanor Rigby"), and many cats.
Tel: 215-563-3853 | pastor@firstbaptistphiladelphia.org
LISA HELMEL THOMAS
Director of Music
Born in Rochester, New York, soprano Lisa Helmel Thomas received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Oberlin Conservatory and her Master of Music in Opera degree along with the Ralph Festorazzi Award for “Most Promising Vocal Student" from Philadelphia's Curtis Institute of Music. She has since performed and understudied over 25 roles with opera companies throughout the United States and Germany. Lisa has been a core member of the Opera Philadelphia Chorus for over 25 years, a judge for the Mario Lanza Scholarship vocal competition for over 15 years, and for 11 years has served St. John’s Evangelical Church in Mayfair as Director of Music Ministries.
Ms. Thomas received her Master of Divinity degree from United Lutheran Seminary in 2018, and went on to serve as Vicar at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glenside. That same year, she started a chaplaincy internship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s Clinical Pastoral Education program. Following her first unit, she completed two years of Residency at Jefferson, and was appointed Staff Chaplain in January of 2022, is an endorsed chaplain with the Episcopal Church, and is currently working toward becoming a BCCI Board-certified chaplain. For the past two years, Lisa has also served as Ministry Intern at The Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany in Center City Philadelphia. She has just completed 4 years as part-time Pastor of St. John’s Baptist Church in South Philadelphia.
As a collaborative pianist, she has accompanied her husband, Metropolitan Opera baritone Todd Thomas on numerous occasions, which has taken them as far as Rüsselsheim, Germany where they performed a recital to critical acclaim. They frequently collaborate in concert at Elmira College (NY)’s Encore program, for which they have performed three recitals. Lisa and Todd not only sing and collaborate musically, but continually celebrate their most important project: parenting four energetic children (3/4 are adults!) – Lydia (33), Gabriela (28), Samuel (25), and Noah (17).
Tel: 215-563-3853 | pastor@firstbaptistphiladelphia.org
Minister Saroj Chettri
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Roy Harker
Executive Director
Tel: 215-563-3853
admin@firstbaptistphiladelphia.org
