Debora Williams

Faith Community Liaison | Healthcare Management

Debora Williams, NYS Chaplain and former Assistant Director at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, has dedicated her life to service and community. Elder Debora, as she prefers to be called, believes that leading a disciplined life of prayer is one of the keys that unlocks the door of the heart, allowing goodness to move in our lives. Elder Debora created a “Prayer Line Ministry” composed of men, women, and young people of all ages who strongly desire to draw closer to the Divine through prayer, praise, and fellowship. She has created a “Desire-A-Prayer-Life” Prayer Room where the Power of Prayer is brought into the home. At Bellevue, Elder Debora started a Christian Fellowship Bible-teaching ministry, holding weekly meetings for staff from across the facility. Through her spiritual calling, she collaborated with volunteers, staff, and students, offering guidance, support, care, and compassion. Her work with students and interns, patients and their families, and staff and their teams earned her the respect and support of staff across the facility. Elder Debora’s work dates back to 1998, when she joined the Community Church of Christ Baptist Church in Jamaica, Queens, under the leadership of Bishop Lester L. Williams and Pastor Shirley G. Williams. In this church, Evangelist Debora was taught, trained, tested, and developed spiritual leadership skills.

Walking in and through God's call, her spiritual work grew, and in 2006 Elder Debora partnered with her husband, Pastor Owen E. Williams, as Co-Pastor of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, Jamaica, New York, and began ministering to the congregation, where she still serves. Through her leadership, she launched several ministries and programs, including the Children Liturgical Dance Program, which offers ministry to children through dance on Sunday mornings. Elder Debora supports The Daughters Zion Women’s ministry; monthly meetings are held, and programs are developed. As she tries to reach everyone, she supports the Students Tutoring Students Program; during weekly adult Bible Study, older students tutor younger students in Math, Reading, and History, and she supports the Children Breakfast Program, served after Sunday Church School. Annual Summer Fairs, Food Drives, and community engagement are at the heart of the work Elder Debora does to support the community's spiritual needs. In 2016, Pastor Williams ordained Elder Debora at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church.

Elder Debora retired from NYC H+H | Bellevue Hospital Center in 2021. She has been married to Pastor Williams for 31 years, and they are proud parents of their beautiful daughter, Desiree Rose. They currently live in New York City. For Elder Debora, “Ministry is my life, and my life is ministry.”