First Baptist Church dedicates Dream Acres

WILLIAMS — Several members of the community joined the First Baptist Church of Williams in dedicating their Dream Acres park after services Sunday. The focus was the opening of the Edith Pouquette Prayer Garden. The Garden was dedicated to a member of the First Baptist Church in honor of her long service to God. Dream Acres is a park built by the First Baptist Church and open to the public. Dogs on a leash are welcome.

Edith Pouquette cuts the ribbon to the Prayer Garden dedicated to her long service to God.


A crowd gathered to watch Edith Pouquette cut the ribbon to the Prayer Garden. Pastor Joe Oswald held a prayer service afterward to complete the dedication of the Garden.

Dream Acres has a Gospel Golf disc course. There is a hiking trail with stations along the way where hikers can participate in sports activities.

The First Baptist Church holds services on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday morning at 10:30 p.m. They hold Bible studies earlier on Sunday, a Men’s Bible Study on Monday at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday at 7 p.m. They also host the Spanish Bible Study on Monday. The Church is located at 629 W Grant Ave in Williams across the street from Safeway. You can call the Church at (928) 635-4692 to find out more about Dream Acres and the other activities they sponsor.

A crowd from the community gather to help dedicate the Edith Pouquette Prayer Garden.

Pastor Joe Oswald and the crowd wait for Edith Pouquette to cut the ribbon.

Along the hiking trail are stations where people can participate in sports activity.

Andy McDaniel preaches last sermon at FBC

FBC-141109-02WILLIAMS – A comedian of old once remarked that he observed that when a minister gets ordained, he suddenly acquires a Southern-accent. The Southern-accent of Pastor Andy McDaniel, who grew up in South Carolina, as is his walk with the Lord, is genuine. This week was the last sermon by Pastor McDaniel at the First Baptist Church in Williams.

Pastor Andy, as his congregation calls him, relates that he was not always a practicing Christian. For 25-years Andy McDaniel spent his time in the longest, scripted reality series on television. Professional wrestling.

Pastor Andy gives one last alter call.

Pastor Andy gives one last alter call.

While he pursued a wresting career, he also worked as a Sheriff’s Deputy in Berkley County, Georgia. He also did a stint as the Police Chief of Coward, South Carolina. He quipped that it could be interesting when he went to police events and was introduced as the “Coward Police Chief.”

Pastor Andy was led to the Lord by “The Million Dollar Man,” Ted DiBiase. DiBiase is also a retired wrestler and ordained minister. He attended Covington Theological Seminary in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia where he received his doctoral degree.

Pastor Andy, wife Melissa and their twin children came to Williams in May of 2011. Last year he ran a short “wrestling ministry” for local kids to attract them to learn about the Lord and a few wrestling holds. The wrestling ministry was to wrap-up with an actual professionally faked wrestling match. It was cancelled because of bad weather.

The family is returning to the pastor’s roots of South Carolina. The family is moving Seneca, South Carolina where he will pastor Bounty Baptist Church.

Pastor Andy thanks congregation after sermon.

Pastor Andy thanks congregation after sermon.


Of his time in Williams, he said, “It’s been a great journey. We’ve really enjoyed our time here. We are looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us, and for Williams after we leave. We hope we’ve left our footprint here and we’re excited about what the days ahead hold.”