From our President / CEO –

You know the term FOMO – fear of missing out? My name is Ben Williams; I am the new president and CEO of Methodist Home for Children, and I’ll admit to having a bad case of FOMO.

My first day on the job – officially – was supposed to be August 1. But I put on my suit a day early and came to work (don’t tell HR!) because of an event that happens just once a year.

It’s a lunch to celebrate the students who are pursuing higher education at trade schools, community colleges, and universities – and I could think of no better way to get started than by showing up.

I wanted to meet these students who’ve lived in our foster homes and group homes. I wanted to hear their stories.

Val is one of them. I learned she came to us a few years ago through a crisis & assessment center, and she stayed – moving into one of our group homes and beginning the hard work of turning her life around. Since then, she’s faced housing instability, family struggles, and personal setbacks.

And she has not given up.

Today, Val is taking a full courseload in college – intro to computers, English II, critical thinking, and elementary Spanish. She’s never missed a meeting with her academic advisor, she stays in regular contact with her mentor at Methodist Home for Children, and she greets every conversation with a smile.

Val is doing things she never dreamed possible. She is writing a new story.

Her determination is a living reminder that the work we do at Methodist Home for Children isn’t about providing services. It’s about walking alongside children, teens, and young adults as they build a better future.

That’s why I sought the privilege of working at Methodist Home for Children. So let me tell you some of my story, beyond the FOMO that fortunately led me to meet Val and our other students.

I was born and raised in Wilson, where my extended family still lives. I left to get my Bachelor of Science in Business at Wake Forest University and a Master of Divinity from Duke. My next 23 years were spent working in the church, most recently as lead pastor at Christ United Methodist in Chapel Hill.

My wife, Anna, is director of Preschool at the Chapel of the Cross. Our son, Stuart, is in his freshman year at Randolph-Macon College, where he plays football, and our daughter, Maggie, is a high school senior with a love for music and comedy. Our chocolate lab, Mater, (yes, named after the tow truck in the movie Cars) believes every person he meets is a new best friend.

As a 20-year supporter of Methodist Home for Children, I believe every child deserves a safe, loving home and the chance to reach his or her God-given potential. My journey has been guided by this belief – and aided by my life’s calling as a pastor.

I come to the job with great respect for the 125-year history of Methodist Home for Children – and great hope for its continued impact on the lives of children and families in the next century of service.

Most of all, I hope for more stories like Val’s; stories that breathe hope, stability, and belonging into the lives of kids who’ve missed out.

I thank you for your unwavering support. Your generosity makes it possible for Val and others to succeed beyond their dreams, and I am deeply grateful to serve alongside you in this life-changing mission.