Yolanda Williams (’20) Merges Music, Scholarship, and Ministry
From an early age, Rev. Dr. Yolanda Williams’ (’20) life revolved around making music. “I've been taking piano lessons since second grade,” she shares, “and I started to play violin in seventh grade.” She also has a well-developed talent for singing (soprano and mezzo soprano). At Hamline University, one of her majors was music, and at the University of Minnesota, Yolanda earned a master's in Vocal Performance. So, how did Yolanda earn an MDiv and become the pastor at Fridley United Methodist Church? That seed was also planted early on. Finding Religion Yolanda explains that she doesn’t come from a religious family; in fact, her father was opposed to organized religion. Still, her parents sent the children to Sunday school at the neighborhood church, John’s Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod). By age 16, Yolanda explains, there was a big change when she became a professed Christian after three pastors broke away from the Lutheran church and started a house church that became Agape Christian Ministries, which is still in operation. In this charismatic environment, Yolanda found the space to develop a personal relationship with God because, unlike her experience at John’s Lutheran Church, a relationship with God was prioritized. That was when Yolanda committed to God that she would become a preacher in gratitude for her changed life. At Hamline University, Yolanda pursued a double major—music and religion. After earning her master’s degree, she went on to tackle a PhD (also at the University of Minnesota) in Education with a graduate minor in African Diasporic Studies. At the conclusion of her dissertation, Yolanda asserts, “The Lord reminded me that I had made a commitment to be a preacher.” Deciding on United The day after her PhD dissertation was accepted, Yolanda was looking for a local seminary because of God’s reminder. Because she owned a house in Minneapolis, she couldn’t imagine pulling up roots to attend seminary elsewhere. As a worship accompanist and leader, Yolanda had been involved with several Lutheran churches and had even played at Luther Seminary services. She had also heard about United. She approached Luther Seminary first and was told to visit the website. The contact at United invited Yolanda to visit the New Brighton campus and meet with staff and faculty. “It was beautiful,” she remembers, “like an oasis from the congestion and chaos of the city.” She also appreciated the eco-friendly aspects of the space, including the rain gardens and native plantings. This led her to choose United over other Twin Cities seminaries. While working full-time, Yolanda embarked on earning her MDiv in Methodist Studies at United. Because she was so busy with work and school, and more focused on theological scholarship, she did not find much time to socialize with other students. Since graduating, though, Yolanda says she’s maintained contact with other United alums. Reflecting on the Journey “From David on,” Yolanda asserts, “music has had a way of speaking to people beyond words.” It can evoke emotion, negative or positive, and has a unique power. It’s also an intrinsic facet of worship and church services. She credits preachers from her teens for modeling how to be a caring pastor and apt preacher. Dr. Demian Wheeler, though, she exclaims, “had a huge impact on my life!” He is not just a scholar; he is “really an excellent teacher.” Yolanda explains that he organized classes so that he could both impart knowledge and collaborate with students in real time. He also challenged students to think critically about theological precepts. Yolanda is also grateful that United is such a religiously diverse community. “Having people from so many different backgrounds and spiritualities,” she observes, “gave me a broader idea of who might come through the door at my church.” After years of deep scholarship, teaching, and musical performance, Yolanda is happy to be serving as the pastor at Fridley United Methodist Church. Though she gains much joy and satisfaction from the experiences of theatrical vocal performances at home and abroad, she can now admit, “There’s nothing like standing in a pulpit and seeing the hunger that’s before you and seeing the little light bulbs go off as God feeds the people through you.”