Books by DeWitt S Williams

"Eva Beatrice Dykes!" Hearing her name, she lifted her head and walked briskly to the center of the stage. Polite applause could not hide the spontaneous murmur that spread throughout the all-white audience. "Isn't that a colored girl?" Those in the back rows stretched their necks to see, while those in the front stared in unbelief. But all whispered the same question. "Isn't that a colored girl?" Undaunted, she took the diploma and pumped the outstretched hand. She was the first black American woman to have completed the requirements for the Ph.D. degree. Soon she would begin a career of service to the black community and end up at Oakwood College, in Huntsville, Alabama. One of the most beloved black Adventist teachers and musicians, she contributed an inspiring life of selfless devotion and service and triumph over prejudice. DeWitt S. Williams was a former student under Dr. Dykes and wrote this book out of admiration for her Christian character and service. Dr. Williams served as the associate director of health for the Health/Temperance Department at the General Conference from 1983 until 1990, and then as director of health for the North American Division from 1990 until he retired in 2010 after forty-six years of service to the Adventist Church. He has lectured in more than 100 countries and served as a missionary to Africa. This, the third printing, has an added illustrated epilogue for young people written by Laurie Lyon which first appeared in Guide magazine in August, 2009. This easy-to-read section can act as a review for those who have read the story before or be a wonderful introduction to the inspiring story of Dr. Eva B. Dykes.

Today the membership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church exceeds 19 million, scattered throughout 216 countries of the world. In addition to more than 80,000 churches, it operates a chain of hospitals, schools, publishing houses, media centers and other institutions. When it organized in Michigan in 1863 with 3,500 members no one then dreamed that the infant religious group would travel around the world and that in 2015 a new church would be established every 3.2 hours. Much of that growth has come about because of the dedication, vision, and prayers of the leadership-from pastors to administrators, who moved forward in faith through the power of the Holy Spirit. Author DeWitt S. Williams writes about some of those leaders-the men and women at the top of the organizational chain who believed, inspired, and faithfully followed God''s instruction in Matthew 24:14 to evangelize the world. Starting with the first world president, John Byington, and continuing to the current leader, Ted N. C. Wilson, this volume profiles the contributions of these devoted leaders. It also portrays the facts about the secretaries and treasurers of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.DeWitt S. William graduated from Oakwood College in 1962, then Andrews and Indiana Universities and later Loma Linda University School of Public Health. An ordained minister, he served in various capacities within the Adventist Church for forty-six years, retiring in 2010 as the Director of Health for the North American Division. Dr. Williams has traveled to more than 100 countries, written many articles and talked to people about the importance of good health. Dr. Williams has served as a missionary in the Congo, and in Rwanda and Burundi. In addition to Spirit-Filled Leadership, Williams has written or coauthored eight books. Besides writing, he enjoys staying fit and has run in several marathons.