BIOGRAPHY
The Reverend Dr. William D. Watley is the retired Senior Pastor of Saint Philip African Methodist Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia, a historic congregation with a membership of 5,000 and a budget exceeding $5 million. Over his distinguished pastoral career, he has led multiple congregations, including Elberton Circuit in Georgia (1969-1971), Union AME Church in New York (1972-1974), Macedonia AME Church in New York (1974-1978), and St. James AME Church in Newark, New Jersey (1984-2011).
Dr. Watley earned his Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Saint Louis University, followed by a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center. He furthered his academic achievements with a Master of Philosophy and a Doctor of Philosophy in Ethics from Columbia University. Additionally, he completed post-doctoral studies at Harvard’s Institute for Education Management and the Ecumenical Institute in Celigny, Switzerland. He has been awarded honorary doctorates, including a Doctor of Laws from Edward Waters College and a Doctor of Divinity from Payne Theological Seminary.
Widely regarded for his exceptional preaching, Dr. Watley has been nationally and internationally recognized for his homiletical skill. He was the Conference Preacher for the Hampton University Ministers' Conference for two consecutive years and was invited as a Conference Lecturer by the Church of God in Christ, Inc., where he preached to over 20,000 attendees at their International Holy Convocation in 1988.
He has also preached at prominent venues such as the Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, and Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Men Are Builders Conference. His ministry has reached global audiences across Africa (Botswana, South Africa), Asia (South Korea), Australia (Canberra), Europe (Switzerland), South America (Guyana), and the island nations of Barbados, Bermuda, and Trinidad.
As a mentor and educator, Dr. Watley has served as a visiting professor and guest lecturer at numerous theological institutions, including New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New York Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, Interdenominational Theological Center, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Phillips School of Theology, and both Payne and Turner Theological Seminaries.
A prolific author, Dr. Watley has published 28 books along with numerous booklets and articles over the past three decades. He is the founder and CEO of New Seasons Press, the publishing arm of William Watley Ministries.
Dr. Watley has also made significant contributions to ecumenical work. He has served as Associate General Secretary of the Council on Church Union (COCU), a member of the Missions Unit of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and on the Governing Board of the National Council of Churches (NCC) and the World Methodist Council. He was the first African American to chair the National Workshop on Christian Unity and has served on the Fund for Theological Education and the advisory board for the New Interpreter’s Bible Commentaries.
Dr. Watley is married to Muriel Annette Lewis Watley, with whom he shares 56 years of marriage. They have two children, Reverend Jennifer Watley Maxell and Reverend Matthew Lawrence Watley, and four grandchildren: Madison, Charles Maxell III, Skylar Maxell, and Alexandra Watley. Dr. Watley is also a cherished godfather, mentor, and spiritual father to many.