When the Rev. Jim Williams comes to Central Christian Church later this summer, he will probably feel right at home.

And with good reason.

Williams, 46, has been named the church’s new senior minister. He replaces the Rev. Brad

Seevers.

The son of Frank and Sue Williams, he is a graduate of Ironton High School. He attended Central Christian as a child, was baptized into the church and was first ordained as a minister there 14 years ago.

Williams said when he heard about the vacancy at the church, he thought God may have opened the door for him to come home. His mom, aunt, two sisters and niece and nephews still live in the Ironton area, he said.

“Over the past 25 years, we have never lived in a place where there has been family,” Williams said.

Williams and his wife, Ronda, have two children, Jonathan, 14, and Lena, 10.

He said he is looking forward to all of the birthdays, holidays and family events he will be able to share with his extended family after moving to Ironton.

In addition to being closer to family, Williams said there are other aspects of his new job that he is looking forward to. Most important, he said, is “the challenge of helping the church grow.”

“I have always appreciated what the church has done in the community and it’s exciting to be a part of it,” he said.

Williams graduated from Kentucky Christian College, where he played baseball. He currently serves as administrator of Kingsway Christian School in Orville, a post he has had for nearly 10 years.

He has also taught and coached in the Morgan County (Ky.) School District and previously served as minister at the Meigs Church of Christ and the Lighthouse Christian Church at Orville.