For Women’s Herstory Month, Connectional Women in Ministry has decided to highlight women in ministry who are bi-vocational and see their professions in their calls to ministry. Many of the conversations were recorded, but this one in particular serves to spotlight the Reverend Dr. Lisa Williamson in the First Episcopal District. Here is herstory!
Interview with Rev. Lisa Williamson, MD, MPH
Senior Pastor, Calvary Fellowship AME Church – Brooklyn, NYC
as shared with Rev. Stephanie Atkins, Connectional Herstoriographer
In its 88-year history, Calvary Fellowship AME Church has never had a female pastor—until now. It is an honor to step into this role, knowing I am walking a path paved by the prayers and perseverance of so many before me. Yet, my journey to this pulpit has been anything but conventional. Before answering my call to the ministry, I was a licensed primary care pediatrician, focusing on the care of children in the New York City foster care system. In 2005, I surrendered to God’s call to serve in another capacity, becoming an itinerant elder in 2010. Today, I stand at the intersection of faith and medicine, where healing extends beyond the physical to the spiritual and emotional realms.
My dual calling has transformed the way I approach both medicine and ministry. My medical training has deepened my theological perspective, challenging me to wrestle with sacred texts and discern God’s message through a holistic, restorative, self-care lens. Jesus’ ministry was one of healing—of body, mind, and soul—and I believe modern ministry should mirror that same comprehensive approach to well-being. Too often, we separate science from spirituality and medicine from ministry as if they were opposing forces. But in truth, they are complementary, each revealing various aspects of God’s divine wisdom.
To my fellow medical professionals, I urge you to remain open to hearing God’s voice. Many of us believe that medicine alone is our calling, and indeed, it is a noble and necessary vocation. Yet, God may be calling some of us to extend our expertise beyond the exam room. The skills we develop in medicine—critical thinking, deep compassion, the ability to comfort and heal—are equally essential in the work of the kingdom. Navigating both spaces may seem daunting, but we must remember that God equips those whom He calls. When we are undergirded by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are more than capable of walking the dual path of healer and shepherd.
Medicine and ministry are not separate callings; they are intertwined, each informing and strengthening the other. As I embark on this new chapter at Calvary Fellowship AME Church, I do so with the firm belief that God’s healing power knows no bounds. Whether in the clinic or the pulpit, the call remains the same: to bring hope, healing, and wholeness to God’s people.
Thank you, Reverend Lisa Williamson, MD, MPH, for answering the call to share your story! Happy Women’s Herstory Month!
