Will met Jesus at six years old and never looked back. By the time he was 22, he had answered God’s call to preach and was licensed by his home church First Missionary Baptist Church in Flat Rock, Illinois. A few years later, in 1995, he was ordained by West Union First Baptist Church (Jennifer's home church). Ministry has been his lifelong calling, and he’s grateful for every step along the way.
Will’s pastoral journey began in 1993 when pastored Zion Baptist Chapel in Williamsfield and planted Trinity Baptist Church in Galva, serving faithfully for a decade. In 2001, he transitioned into a full church planting role with the Metro Peoria Baptist Association, where he served until 2003. That year, he became the pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Canton, leading the congregation from 2003 to 2012.
In 2012, Will felt called to shepherd Argenta Baptist Church near Decatur, pastoring there for six years. In 2019, God led him back to Canton to resume his role at Temple Baptist—a congregation he had previously served with joy and dedication.
Temple Baptist is a biblically conservative evangelical church affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Illinois State Baptist Association, and the Metro Peoria Baptist Association.
Will and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 33 years. Jennifer teaches Spanish in the Elmwood school district, where she brings her commitment, dedication, and compassion into the classroom. She also serves as the song leader at Temple Baptist Church, faithfully leading the congregation in worship and often standing in front of the children at the Wednesday Kid's Club to help them engage with music and praise. They’re the proud parents of two daughters: Bridget, who lives in Chicago with her husband Jacob, and Katie, who’s newly married to Draven and finishing her degree in Galesburg.
Over the past three decades, Will has worn many ministry hats—church planter, youth pastor, camp pastor, associational coordinator, and new work team leader. His heart beats for Bible preaching, disciple making, church planting, and revival, always with a focus on building Jesus-like friendships and movements throughout West Central Illinois.
Will earned his Bachelor of Science in Christian Leadership and Management from Lincoln Christian College and Seminary. He now serves part-time as one of two Associational Missions Strategists for the Metro Peoria Baptist Association and is a member of the Constitution Committee for the Illinois Baptist State Association.
Outside the pulpit, Will chairs the Board of Directors for Vernacular Video Missions International (VVMI), a global missions organization sharing God’s Word with indigenous peoples in their heart languages through media. He also serves on the board of the Spoon River Pregnancy Center in Canton.
In his free time Will enjoys the simple joys of creativity and craftsmanship—reading, woodworking, gardening, and playing instruments like guitar, mandolin, ukulele, dulcimer, and trombone.
Will’s pastoral journey began in 1993 when pastored Zion Baptist Chapel in Williamsfield and planted Trinity Baptist Church in Galva, serving faithfully for a decade. In 2001, he transitioned into a full church planting role with the Metro Peoria Baptist Association, where he served until 2003. That year, he became the pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Canton, leading the congregation from 2003 to 2012.
In 2012, Will felt called to shepherd Argenta Baptist Church near Decatur, pastoring there for six years. In 2019, God led him back to Canton to resume his role at Temple Baptist—a congregation he had previously served with joy and dedication.
Temple Baptist is a biblically conservative evangelical church affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Illinois State Baptist Association, and the Metro Peoria Baptist Association.
Will and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 33 years. Jennifer teaches Spanish in the Elmwood school district, where she brings her commitment, dedication, and compassion into the classroom. She also serves as the song leader at Temple Baptist Church, faithfully leading the congregation in worship and often standing in front of the children at the Wednesday Kid's Club to help them engage with music and praise. They’re the proud parents of two daughters: Bridget, who lives in Chicago with her husband Jacob, and Katie, who’s newly married to Draven and finishing her degree in Galesburg.
Over the past three decades, Will has worn many ministry hats—church planter, youth pastor, camp pastor, associational coordinator, and new work team leader. His heart beats for Bible preaching, disciple making, church planting, and revival, always with a focus on building Jesus-like friendships and movements throughout West Central Illinois.
Will earned his Bachelor of Science in Christian Leadership and Management from Lincoln Christian College and Seminary. He now serves part-time as one of two Associational Missions Strategists for the Metro Peoria Baptist Association and is a member of the Constitution Committee for the Illinois Baptist State Association.
Outside the pulpit, Will chairs the Board of Directors for Vernacular Video Missions International (VVMI), a global missions organization sharing God’s Word with indigenous peoples in their heart languages through media. He also serves on the board of the Spoon River Pregnancy Center in Canton.
In his free time Will enjoys the simple joys of creativity and craftsmanship—reading, woodworking, gardening, and playing instruments like guitar, mandolin, ukulele, dulcimer, and trombone.