Ben Hill Women's Day 2025
PROCLAIMER
Rev. Dr. Khalia J. Williams
Rev. Dr. Khalia J. Williams is a woman who brings her full self - her faith, her artistry, and her leadership - to every space she enters. As the Associate Dean of Worship and Spiritual Formation and Associate Professor in the Practice of Worship at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, she is shaping the next generation of ministry leaders with wisdom, grace, and a deep love for God’s people. She also co-directs the Baptist Studies Program at Candler, ensuring that theological education speaks to the richness and depth of the Black church tradition.
As an ordained minister and liturgical artist, Khalia’s journey has always been deeply rooted in calling, feeling the pull toward worship and the arts as a young girl growing up in Los Angeles. A professionally trained ballet and modern dancer, she understood early on that worship is more than just words - it’s movement, it’s breath, it’s embodiment. That passion led her to earn a doctorate in Liturgical Studies from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA, where she explored the power of African American women’s spirituality and embodiment in worship. With additional degrees in theology and international business, Khalia is a scholar and strategist, equally at home in the academy and in the pulpit.
She is a gifted writer and thought leader, co-authoring A Worship Workbook: A Practical Guide for Extraordinary Liturgy, co-editing Theological Foundations of Worship: Biblical, Systematic, and Practical Perspectives, and authoring several articles on worship and spirituality. Her work has been sought out across the country - from leading worship at major theological gatherings to designing productions, including the City of Atlanta’s tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Whether teaching, preaching, or leading, Khalia carries a spirit of excellence that makes worship come alive.
At her core, Khalia is a mentor and a minister. She walks with others as they grow in faith, empowering them to step boldly into who God has called them to be. She serves faithfully at Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, where her husband, Rev. Damon P. Williams, Ph.D., serves as senior pastor. As the associate minister to women, she pours into the lives of the women of Providence, guiding them in discipleship, service, and sisterhood. But above all else, Khalia is devoted to her family. She is a loving and supportive wife and a proud mother to two incredible boys, Thomas Christian and Ethan Miles. Her life’s work is not just about building strong churches and institutions - it’s about building strong people, strong families, and a faith that moves through every part of life.
