Deacon Laverne S. Williams, CSW - Zoom Guest & Topic on 5. 25.21

During this time of crisis and uncertainty many rely on faith for support and stability. The community is invited to join Laverne S. Williams, CSW, a Deacon at the Union Baptist Church in Montclair, for a free Zoom.us session, entitled "Thankful Tuesdays." During these sessions, Deacon Williams and her special guests explore important topics centered around faith and spirituality. The program is offered at 2 p.m. every Tuesday: individuals may participate online through the Zoom link https://zoom.us/j/424719863?pw... or by visiting Zoom.us, Meeting ID number 424 719 863, Password 469922 or by calling 646-558-8656. The program may also be viewed on Facebook Live @MentalHealthAssociationinNewJerseyInc.

Tuesday, May 25th, Deacon Williams' guest will be Pastor Eric Brewer, the Senior Pastor at Rhema Worship Center in Hackensack, New Jersey. He started RWC along with his wife Holly Brewer as a result of the call of God on their lives in November of 2003 with five members and has touched the lives of thousands over the years since RWC’s inception.

Prior to the planting of RWC, Pastor Brewer served as Staff Pastor of Church Life, Staff Pastor of Youth Development, and Director of the Family Life Center at The Cathedral International (formerly Second Baptist Church), located in Perth Amboy, NJ. In addition, he was the founder of The Cathedral Community After-School and Bible Club Programs that began in the spring of 1995, and The Cathedral Community Summer Program, also known as Nurture. This program attracted and served over 1,000 youths from the inner cities of Perth Amboy and Asbury Park. Simultaneously, he served as the Staff Pastor of Church Life at The Cathedral Assembly by the Shore, located in Asbury Park, NJ.

Pastor Brewer's educational background consists of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, and an earned Master of Divinity degree concentrating in Christian Education from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. He has started working on his Doctor of Ministry at Drew Theological Seminary concentrating in Courageous Leadership In A Changing Culture.

Under Pastor Brewer’s leadership, RWCI feeds the Bergen County homeless shelter quarterly throughout the year. Another one of Rhema‘s outreach is “Rhema’s Table to Table” which supplies groceries to over 100 families weekly. Also, he has renovated 3 buildings of over 25,000 sqft. of space in which he was recognized for by receiving the Nehemiah’s Award by the Association of Independent Ministries in 2014. Pastor Brewer partnered with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department in a gun buyback program that purchased over 1,300 guns. In 2012, Pastor Brewer led the Hurricane Sandy Recovery “Operation Rescue” in partnership with Red Cross that disseminated 4 tractor trailers of food, supplies, 10,000 coats and warm meals to over 2,000 families throughout north Jersey and New York City. Pastor Brewer has participated in a mission trip in Jamaica and was a part of an interfaith delegation to the country of Turkey.

Pastor Brewer is the founder of Kingdom Strategies that helps churches to develop strategies for church and spiritual growth. Pastor Brewer enjoys working with people. He is a frequent speaker to various NFL teams including the NY Giants, New England Patriots, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He is a licensed agent with Primerica and helps people develop generational wealth and financial prosperity.

In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf and working around the house. He is a dynamic leader, public speaker, lecturer, teacher, preacher, and life coach that is committed to this generation fulfilling their God-given purpose!

Pastor Brewer is a COVID survivor and widower. Pastor Holly went home to be with the Lord on April 21, 2021 and he is the proud parent of their daughter, Elana Joy.

Laverne Williams, CSW is the Director of the PEWS (Promoting Emotional Wellness and Spirituality) Program for the Mental Health Association in New Jersey. Ms. Williams is a New Jersey Certified Social Worker, WRAP (Wellness & Recovery Action Plan) Facilitator, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist. With over 35+ years of experience in mental health service, Ms. Williams is a highly sought- after conference keynote and workshop facilitator. Her workshops have been presented to numerous statewide and local agencies, consumer organizations and family member groups. As an advocate on behalf of persons with mental illness, and a Deacon at her church, Ms. Williams diligently develops partnerships between faith-based communities and behavioral health institutions by bridging the gap between theology and mental health.

Ms. Williams was quoted in the April 2017 #1 best-selling book, Option B – Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy, by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Gant.

To contact Deacon Williams please email lwilliams@mhanj.org.