FREEPORT

T hroughout 2012, the Rev. Sandy

Williams went through the second letter of Peter with his flock at the First Baptist Church of Freeport.

Pastor Williams didn’t use 2 Peter as a guideline for his sermon. Rather, the pastor reads Simon Peter’s passages, and explains them. That is the basis of his sermon.

“It’s by the open book,” Williams said.

2 Peter was written toward the end of Peter’s life, after he had written a prior letter to the same readers (probably 1 Peter). Since Peter was martyred during the reign of Nero, his death must have occurred prior to 68 AD; so it is very likely that he wrote 2 Peter between 65 and 68 AD.

“Peter’s message is a call for holiness. It’s a call for Christians to be different. Immorality is not tolerated.”

Williams has served as First Baptist Church pastor since 1979. Obviously, he likes it there — it’s an Evangelical Baptist church, and Freeport is a vibrant community. And his congregation likes him.

“We’re a pretty ordinary church — that’s what makes us unique,” the pastor said. “We’re just trying to do what basic Christianity tells us to do.”

Williams calls First Baptist Church of Freeport a “strategically small church.” When he got there, about 80 of the 200 members attended Sunday services. Now, there are about 70 members, but Sunday services draw around 100. More than half of them come from outside of town.

He and his wife, Beverly, have been married for 40 years. They met at Trinity College in Fairfield, Ill. They have three adult married children and five grandchildren.

Beverly Williams also has served the church well, as a deaconess and trustee.

Williams also has enjoyed his more than 20 years as chaplain of the Freeport Fire/Rescue Department. In that capacity, he responds to help family members or friends at fire or accident scenes, or perhaps takes a family member to the hospital.

“I listen to the calls and if I think I’m going to be needed I’ll respond, or they can page me,” he said.

Williams graduated from Moody Bible Institute, Trinity International University

(B.A.), and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has served on the General Board of the American Baptist Churches/ USA, the American Baptist Churches of Maine, and the Christian Civic League of Maine.

The church celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2007. An early church record book states that “the origin of the church must be attributed to the Holy Spirit accompanying the preaching of the Gospel.”

The present meetinghouse was completed in 1952, and the Christian education building was purchased in 1965 (it currently provides learning space for Maine Classical School).