Archbishop Austin Craig Williams, Sr.’s Biography

Archbishop Austin “Craig” Williams, Sr., was born on March 20, 1970 to Bishop Carl E.

Williams, Jr. and Sandra Williams. He is the third of four siblings. Bishop Williams and his

siblings, Carl III, Monique and Alex were raised in the Institutional Church of God in Christ

Int’l. In 1994, he married Hadya Francis and together, they have three children: Austin Jr.,

Jordyn and Cristian.

In 1988, he graduated from Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School. Based on the

guidance from his grandfather, the Late Chief Apostle Carl E. Williams, Sr., he decided to

pursue an undergraduate degree from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1992,

he graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. In May 2016, he received his Master’s

of Arts in Religion from Liberty University.

In 1993 while at Institutional Church, he became a Walking Deacon. Within two

years, he publicly accepted the calling to preach the Gospel as a Minister. In 2002, he was

elevated to Elder and Youth Pastor under his grandfather, Chief Apostle Carl E. Williams, Sr.

and father, Bishop Williams, Jr. It was his passion and desire to make a difference by

mentoring the young people and preaching on youth Sundays. Many youths and adults were

saved, healed and delivered under the prophetic anointing flowing in these 2nd Sunday

services. In 2003, Elder Williams was elevated to the role of Assistant Pastor and charged by

his leaders to help build and maintain the legacy of the ministry.

In his career, the Lord has also favored him. Archbishop Williams was a Communications

Specialist for Bloomberg L.P. for 11 years. In 2008, he became a Project Manager for Level 3

Communications, another Fortune 500 company.

In November 2015, he was elevated to Executive Pastor and was presented as a

candidate to the Bishopric by his father, Bishop Carl E. Williams, Jr. In April 2016,

Presiding Bishop John Carlton White officially announced him as Bishop-Designate in the

Lord’s church. He is the 5th Bishop in a rich episcopal bloodline. Through the leading of the

Holy Spirit, he accepted his mandate to begin a new work in July, 2016. On October 1st, 2016,he was officially installed by Archbishop John C. White as Senior Pastor of Grace and Mercy

COGIC, Int’l.

On October 7th

, 2017, Archbishop Williams was officially consecrated to the office of Bishop in

the Lord’s church by Bishop John C. White, Archbishop Robert J. Rochford and Bishop James

Jones. He also became the Co-Adjutor Bishop of the Empire Jurisdiction under Bishop White

in the Church of God in Christ International Organization.

On December 7th, 2024, he was appointed Presiding Prelate of the churches of God in Christ

International. He was also elevated to the office of Archbishop, by Archbishop John C. White,

Archbishop Eric Figueroa and Archbishop Eugene J. Blount.

Currently, Archbishop Williams continues to serve as the Senior Pastor of Grace and Mercy

Cathedral. He continues to serve as the Presiding Prelate of the Church of God in Christ

International organization as the handpicked successor of Archbishop John C. White. His

commitment to his spiritual foundation and dedication to the potential of God's people has

made his ministry a place where legacy and destiny collide. It is his desire to build a ministry

designed for “the whole person – mind, body and spirit.“