Elder William L. Atlas, a man of real holiness, stays before the Lord in fasting and prayer. He was born in the southern state of Monticello, Mississippi and as a babe of one year old, his parents Robert and Thelma Atlas moved to Los Angeles, California.
In 1958, responding to a friend’s invitation to attend church service at St. Joseph Gospel Temple Church of God in Christ, the Lord saved and baptized him with the Holy Ghost at the age of fourteen. There he developed an insatiable desire to study and learn the word of the Lord under the leadership and guidance of Elder Joseph Steward. He learned the doctrine of the Church. He also learned to subject himself to godly leadership, to fellowship in brotherly love, and to devote himself and all that he has to the ministry and to the plan of God. |
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Elder Atlas graduated from high school in 1961 and soon after, heeded the Lord’s calling and anointing to preach good tidings to the poor and deliverance to the captive. It was at this time he learned that in order to be an effective minister; he must be an effective example to the Church and to the world. It was also at this time that he realized that obedience to Jesus is a requirement that is set forth by our Lord and that our Lord expects no less.
In 1966, while still under the leadership of Elder Joseph Steward, Elder Atlas was ordained in the ministry of the Lord. And with the ordination, came the realization (even the more) that being an ordained minister means more dedication to God’s work and that God’s ministerial office is not the opportunity for self-aggrandizement.
Now since God’s powerful anointing has over shadowed him, Elder Atlas has had the longing and yearning to “do the work”. He has tirelessly and devotedly given himself to the will and desires of the Lord. He has lent himself to better enhance his work by completing a myriad of educational studies in writing, public speaking, geological and biological studies, social studies, communication skills, and contract law.
While working for the United States Department of Defense, he was afforded the opportunity to work as a Quality Assurance Representative, a Quality Assurance Supervisor, a Support Program Integrator, a Quality Technical Lead, and a Management Analyst.
Elder Atlas joined the New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ family in 1990 and faithfully followed the leadership of Dr. J.T. Jones. For thirteen years he diligently served the Church in capacities that included visiting the sick and shut-in, teaching the new members’ class, performing home communion for the sick and shut-in, being the president of the Y.P.W.W., teaching Sunday School, and being the moderator for the New Jerusalem church services.
After the demise of Dr. J.T. Jones in 2003, Elder Atlas was appointed the Pastor of the New Jerusalem Church where he is committed to a no nonsense ministry and a true and sound commitment to the will of the Lord.
In 2006, Pastor Atlas received a PhD in Biblical Counseling and is now making inroads into aiding individuals in the community and in sending the salvation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to all.
