Learn a little more about Straightway Baptist Church by getting to know some of our church members!

James and Perla Williams City and State you and your spouse were reared: I was born in Brooklyn, NY (the Bedford-Stuyvesant section). My familyattended the West Baptist Church which was located at 422 Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Perla was born in Del Monte, Phillips, Bukidnon, Philippines (in the Pineapple Country). Her family attended the Phillips Fundamental Baptist Church in the Philippines. How long have you been members of Straightway Baptist Church? We have been attending since January 2008 and became members on April 6, 2008 Who invited you to join our church, or what interested you in joining our church? Early in 2006, Perla remembered reading in The Times about a pastor who desires to make a difference in the Princeton area by knocking on doors and inviting others to accept Christ; and having their church services at a hotel. In 2007, we felt that we needed to find a church that teaches the Truth and uses the King James Bible only around Mercer County. Finally, Perla was able to get hold of a new telephone directory and found the right church that she had been longing for. She right away called the Straightway Baptist Church and was able to speak to Pastor Guarneri. We were impressed by the way God was moving in Straightway and we were resolved by the Holy Spirit to choose this church.

Comments about Pastor Guarneri: He is a loving pastor who patiently listens to others and gently compels them to give their hearts to Jesus. He is full of the wisdom that God has given him and freely shares this wisdom with others as the Holy Spirit directs him.
Pastor Guarneri makes each person attending Straightway Baptist Church feel like family member. We have been encouraged by Pastor Guarneri’s
enthusiasm and zeal, especially, in the area of Soul Winning. He is sensitive to the needs of his flock.

Interesting story, incident, or answer to prayer:
Last year in the evening of November 12, 2007, I was sick and had gone to the doctor earlier that day. I took antibiotic and some aspirin for the fever and rested on the sofa. At 11:07, I got up and found that I could not breath. I told Perla to call 911 immediately. She thought I was about to die. I saw her face almost in tears and panicky. I found out later that evening the doctor told me that I had pneumonia. Perla’s prayer was answered - she was arguing with the Lord not to take my life yet because she needed me.
In June 3, 2005, Perla had a car accident and her car was damaged beyond repair. She prayed to God everyday for another one, since we could not
afford yet to purchase a new car. She met a lady in Wegman in 2006 and they became friends and exchanged telephone numbers. After two weeks, the lady called her and told Perla that they were disposing a car, which was in storage. She asked to see the vehicle and was told that the car was a 1996 Impala SS with 80,000 miles on it. By God’s grace, the lady and her husband wholeheartedly gave her the car as a gift (for $l.00). God does answer prayer!

Give us your salvation testimony.
I have been going to church since I was only a few days old. I attended the West Baptist Church with my parents. When I was growing up, I always love to listen to the various Bible stories. At the age of eight years old, I saw The Ten Commandments in the movie
theater. I was so moved by the power and love of God that I wanted to be like Moses. When they had the altar call the next Sunday, I walked to the
front when I heard the invitation to accept Jesus Christ as my Personal Lord and Savior. I was baptized the following Sunday.

Give us your spouse’s testimony:
When Perla was eight years old, her parents were saved. They came from a Roman Catholic background. During that time, her family were regulars at the Fundamental Baptist Church in her hometown. She told me that she never understood and took seriously the Gospel. She just went to churchto appease her parents. In 1975, a friend invited her to a Tent Meeting in the city and after the last day of the meeting, she said she came to understand that she had grievously sinned against God and needed His forgiveness. She was saved that day.
. 

Of what ministries are you a part of?
We are involved in the following ministries: Soulwinning - because God has commanded us to go and share His Word in Matt. 28: l8-20.
Both of us are members of the Choir. Perla is using her experience in the Nursery.

more Straightway families