On February 2, 2010, Mark Williams, a 1976 graduate, was named the 2010 Alumnus of the Year by the Moody Bible Institute Alumni Association. The award, announced during the Tuesday evening session of Moody’s annual Founder’s Week conference, honors graduates who have distinguished themselves through faithfulness to the Lord, perseverance in service and contributions to the cause of Christ.

Walter White, the Moody Alumni Association Executive Director, presented the award to Williams at The Moody Church.  A communications major, Williams used his Moody education and experience to develop a ministry that has planted churches in 70 countries over the past 30 years.

Following his graduation from Moody, Williams received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Biola University, a Master of Divinity degree from Talbot Theological Seminary and a Doctorate in Church Growth from Fuller Theological Seminary. He helped plant Emmanuel Baptist Church in Vista, Calif. in 1981 with Conservative Baptist Home Missions. Williams then served as Senior Pastor of the church for nine years as it grew to more than 200 in attendance. He joined Mission to the Americas as a Senior Pastor in 1994 and was responsible for starting New Hope Community Church in Wheaton, Ill. The church was started with a few core families from Emmanuel Baptist Church and in three years was home to more than 100 professions of faith. Since 1998, Williams has served as the Executive Vice President of Dynamic Church Planting International in Oceanside, Calif. He speaks about church planting at conferences, training events and churches across the United States and around the world. He has also authored numerous resources that assist church planting leaders.

“Mark’s church planting work and passion for spreading the message of Christ’s salvation is inspirational and incredibly encouraging,” said White. “His commitment to winning souls for the Kingdom and helping other Christians do the same is a true fulfillment of Moody’s mission to bring God’s Word to the world.”