Bill Pitts
Pastor Bill was born on October 18, 1952. He gave his life to Christ on February 25, 1961 at the age of 8 years old at Welch Avenue Free Will Baptist Church. He answered the call to preach the gospel at age 14 years old while attending the Greater Columbus Free Will Baptist Church which his father, Rev. Bill J. Pitts, was founder and pastor. He received his formal training at the Ohio Bible Institute, Institute for Biblical Life Principles, Hillsdale Free Will Baptist Bible College, and Trinity College and Seminary.
Since 1975, Bill and his family have ministered in Ohio and Oklahoma. His full-time ministry began at Heritage Temple Free Will Baptist Church and Christian School as Christian Education Director. His pastoral experience includes the Holdenville Free Will Baptist Church, Spencer Road Free Will Baptist Church, Living Word United Brethren Church, Lancaster United Brethren Church, and recently, a new work with The Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church. Cross Pointe was a joint project of the Ohio State Association of Free Will Baptists and The National Association of Free Will Baptists Mission Boards. The Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church became self-supporting in 7 months. Bill was also the Assistant to the Executive Secretary to the State of Ohio Free Will Baptists in 1985 and 1986.
Bill and his wife Debbie have been married since December 18, 1971. They have three children, Andrea, A.J., and Alyssa. They also are blessed to have three grandchildren. Alyssa is the only child residing at home in Lancaster, Ohio. Debbie has currently taken leave from the secular work place to spend time at home being a full-time parent, housewife, and pastor’s wife. She is the volunteer church secretary, teaches in the women’s ministry, sings in the choir, works in the infant nursery, and is part of the local W.A.C. Debbie is also involved in Alyssa’s school tennis organization as an officer and assists with various school organizations.
Pastor Bill made the decision to become a bi-vocational pastor in April of 2006. This allows more opportunity for ministry within and without the local body of believers. He believes that ministry is a requirement for all believers. His goal is equip this local body of believers with the Word of God in order for each person to minister to the needs of the people in the city of Lancaster, Ohio and the rest of the world.
