October 1st - October 3rd, 2009
Entering the A.C.T.S. Dimension
Bishop Dr. Ezra Nehemiah Williams
Bishop Dr. Ezra Nehemiah Williams was consecrated to the office of Bishop in 1984 and served as Senior Pastor of Bethel Gospel Assembly from February 1966 – February 2000. During his tenure as Senior Pastor he established Urban & Global Mission Alliance, Inc. (UGMA) in 1998, (a not-for-profit Christian Alliance of churches committed to the spreading of the Gospel both in local urban centers and the world); the Beth-Hark Christian Counseling Center; a resident Discipleship Program; and the Christ Community Youth Center. Under his leadership, ministry endeavors extended to countries including Zambia, India, Nigeria, Israel, Aruba, Kenya, Cameroon, Albania, St. Vincent and South Africa.
Born and raised in Harlem, New York, Bishop Williams graduated from James Fennimore Cooper Junior High School which is the current headquarters of Bethel Gospel Assembly, Inc. He was a graduate of the Manhattan Bible Institute of New York City; received an Honorary Doctorate from Alliance Theological Seminary; and served as a former National President and Presiding Bishop of the United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God (UPCAG). He served on the Boards of many organizations including Teen Challenge, Inc. and Vehicle’s, Inc. to name a few. Bishop Williams went home to be with the Lord on August 11, 2009, and though he may no longer be physically able to join us on the mission fields, he has blazed a path many will follow for years to come.
Bishop Dr. Ezra Nehemiah Williams Visionary Award
The annual Bishop Dr. Ezra Nehemiah Williams Visionary Award is sponsored by Bethel Gospel Assembly in an effort to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of those involved in missions at home and abroad.
The award honors the life and ministry of Bishop Dr. Ezra Nehemiah Williams, Pastor Emeritus of Bethel Gospel Assembly. Having served as the Past President and Bishop of the United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God; Founder of Urban Global Mission Alliance (UGMA) and Beth Hark Christian Counseling Ministry and Discipleship Program, Dr. Williams has been a Master Preacher, Teacher and Crusade Leader, who is known, loved and revered throughout the United States, Africa, India and the Caribbean.
The Bishop Dr. Ezra N. Williams Visionary Award celebrates the legacy of a man committed to local and global missions and seeks to recognize those of like mind. Its recipients are noted for being visionaries in terms of their involvement in the development and nurturing of ministries that impact Christian culture and the Body of Christ worldwide. These individuals have exemplified the integrity and humility characteristic of the life and work of Bishop Dr. Ezra N. Williams. The apostolic anointing upon their lives is evident by the manner in which they are embraced by the Christian community
2009 Award Recipient - Bishop Joseph Mattera
Joseph Mattera has been in full-time ministry since 1980 and is currently the Presiding Bishop of Christ Covenant Coalition and Overseeing Bishop of Resurrection Church in New York, a multiethnic congregation of 40 nationalities that has successfully developed numerous leaders and holistic ministry in the New York region and beyond.
His passion is to see the Lordship of Christ manifest over every realm of society so the church can fulfill the cultural mandate in Genesis 1:28. This has resulted in extensive ministry nationally and internationally, reaching out to many nations of the world including the former Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Turkey, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Holland, Ukraine, Canada, Mexico and Cuba.
In November 1999 he started City Covenant Coalition (presently known as Christ Covenant Coalition), a network of bishops, clergy, and marketplace leaders. They have come together to build the Body of Christ and work for citywide, national and global transformation. CCC has since become one of the largest and most influential clergy groups in the greater New York region.
He has also served on numerous boards including Concerts of Prayer Greater New York, the Advisory Board of Worldvision New York, CURE (Community Understanding for Racial Reconciliation), Brooklyn Community Board 7, served as a Vice Chair of the 2005 New York Billy Graham Crusade, was co-chair of the New York Clergy Coalition for Racial Reconciliation, and has received numerous citations and commendations from city and state elected officials and assemblies. He also serves as a consultant and mentor to numerous political, business and church leaders and has worked extensively with the NYPD, the local community board and numerous other service agencies.
Joseph has a Doctor of Ministry degree in Biblical Worldview from Bakke Graduate University and is presently enrolled in the Ph.D. program at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies in Oxford, England.
He has hosted his own radio show "Light Your City" and a weekly cable television programs "The Ekklesia." He is a regular contributor to Christian newspapers, and through the years has given numerous radio and television interviews and press conferences, including guest appearances on TBN. His first published book Ruling in the Gates was released in April 2003 and has received international acclaim. Numerous articles, position papers, seminars and sermons are presently posted on his weblog, www.josephmattera.org.
In recognition of his years of faithful service and significant influence, numerous local and national bishops and apostolic leaders consecrated Joseph to the Office of Bishop on April 29, 2006.
Joseph, his wife and their five children live in Brooklyn, New York.