Chris “Checkerz” Williams is the founding and Lead pastor of Renew Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
After traveling for 15 years as a bi-vocational evangelist, in 2006 Checkerz sensed the Lord leading him to plant a multi-ethnic, multi-generational Church. After much prayer, dialogue, and counsel, Checkerz and Nicole visited New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in September 2008. On the trip home they agreed the Lord was leading them to make a transition.
Checkerz, and his wife Nicole, left their career jobs, sold their home, and relocated to New Orleans in 2009 for Checkerz to complete his seminary studies. As he was completing his Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry, he accepted the call to Pastor the River Parishes congregation of Celebration Church in Laplace, LA in May 2011.
BEFORE RENEW
During his six year tenure at Celebration Church in Laplace the attendance tripled requiring the expansion from one to three Sunday services, 247 people were baptized, and 19 small groups were launched. Celebration Church in Laplace led Disaster Recovery efforts following Hurricane Isaac (2012) and the Laplace Tornadoes (2016). As a result of his leadership through Hurricane Isaac, Checkerz was nominated and served three years (2014-2016) as the Chair for the St. John Parish Faith Based Organization in conjunction with the Parish President’s Office. He was also commissioned as a Chaplain by the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Department.
In the midst of all the great things the Lord was doing at Celebration Church in Laplace, Checkerz once again began sensing the Lord was leading him to plant a church. In March 2017, he and his wife Nicole agreed that it was time to step out and launch Renew Church. With the blessing and support of the Lead Pastor of Celebration Church, Pastor Dennis Watson, Checkerz began preparing to launch Renew Church in South Baton Rouge.
With hearts for evangelism and discipleship, and a compelling vision to see the Greater Baton Rouge region, and the world, become fully devoted followers of Christ, Checkerz and his wife Nicole are excited to launch Renew Church!
Checkerz and Nicole have been married for over 20 years and have three children (Asher – son, Amber – daughter, Jada – daughter). Additionally, they have two furry family members: an English Bulldog named Colston and an adopted shelter dog named Bella that was rescued from the Baton Rouge floods in 2016.