Mitchell Williams - USM Football Pastor/Chaplain

Prior to being hired with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Mitchell Williams worked at WDAM-TV for 27 years, serving as sports director for 20 of those years.

While at WDAM, the sports department was cited by the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters for excellence on 40 different occasions including being named the state’s best sportscaster 8 of the last 10 years. While at WDAM, he provided coverage for over 15,000 sporting events. 

Mitchell was called to FCA in 2011, 14 months after leading the funeral for former NFL MVP Steve McNair on July 11, 2009. While now serving as FCA Multi-Area Director for Southeast Mississippi and Football Chaplain for the Southern Miss football team since 2015, the local growth of this nation’s oldest and most reliable athletic ministry has been tremendous.

With just one staff member at the time of his calling to FCA and a budget of only $55,000, the Southeast Mississippi Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes now has a team of 38 full-time, part-time and volunteer staff, serving now under a God-given and growing budget of 2.8 million dollars, with campus ministry to over 120 middle and high schools, seven community colleges and two universities from Meridian to the Gulf Coast.

FCA of Southeast Mississippi provides annual local camp opportunities for youth, which include The Quarterback Club, Pink Huddle, and FCA Motocross Camp. In addition, every December since 2012, FCA hosts Christmas parties for disadvantaged youth and families in Jones and Forrest Counties of Mississippi.

A licensed and ordained minister, he attended North Forrest and Southern Miss, where he lettered every year in cross country, indoor and outdoor track. A sought-after speaker at events, churches and conferences, Mitchell was enshrined in the Southern Miss M-Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.

In 2023, Mitchell was honored by the Hattiesburg Convention Commission as part of “Generations Strong,” for being one of the most inspiring African Americans in the city of Hattiesburg’s over 140 year history. (hattiesburgeureka.com) 

Mitchell and his wife Shelia are the parents of four boys, grandparents and are members of Grace Temple Church.