From our Board of Directors:
Meet our new president / CEO
Friends –
It takes a special person to lead an organization like Methodist Home for Children.
It’s big – with a complex network of services and a budget exceeding $27 million.
It’s bold – with a commitment to serving high-risk, high-needs children and families, often in desperate circumstances.
It requires a specialized skill set – and we’re glad to report that we’ve found the right person for the job.
Rev. Ben Williams will be our new president / CEO, starting August 1.
Born and raised in Wilson, Ben earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from Wake Forest University and a Master of Divinity from Duke University. He served 7 years as senior pastor at Christ United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill and 13 years at St. Mark’s United Methodist in Raleigh; before that, he was associate pastor for 3 years at Millbrook United Methodist.
He comes to us with a record of building and growing nonprofits – and with an appreciation for our special place at the intersection of faith and service.
For 23 years, Ben has walked alongside families in their most challenging moments. He’s created an afterschool program for under-served children and guided Backpack Buddies in eight schools. He’s inspired a campaign for people in need and in recovery. He’s helped launch a new church campus.
He’s a leader with the skills to manage a church of 1,300 members – and the spirit to dress up as a cheetah or a sea captain for the entire week of Vacation Bible School. Because the kids love it.
We are excited for Ben’s passion and energy – and for this new season of growth in the life of Methodist Home for Children. Under his leadership, we expect to continue to expand our reach, amplify our voice, and deepen our impact so that every child in North Carolina, as he says, “can have a different story – one of hope, healing, and belonging.”
“I have a deep respect and love for everything Methodist Home for Children has been for 125-plus years,” Ben tells us. “And I’m ready to bring my passion, expertise, and unwavering dedication to this role, ensuring that every child and family served finds hope, stability, and a pathway to a God’s preferred future.”
Ben is married to Anna, and they share two children, Stuart and Maggie, and a dog named Mater.
We thank you for your support and your prayers during our search process. And we thank you for the kind wishes shared with Rev. Bruce Stanley as he retires with 19 years as our president / CEO.
With deep gratitude,
Phil Macnabb
MHC Board Chair